Sutherland Shire based Feros Group has been judged the best hotel group operator in Australia.
The Best Hotel Group Operator award was presented in front of nearly 500 VIP and industry guests at the 2019 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) national awards for excellence at The Star on the Gold Coast in September.
Feros Group was catapaulted into the national final by winning the NSW award in this category in late 2018.
The group's venues include The Prince at Kirrawee, Highfield Caringbah and the adjoining Huxley's bar and Ugly Pizza, and Taren Point Hotel.
Chief executive Chris Feros said winning what he calls "the Gold Logie of the hotel industry" was a fantastic achievement.
"From an industry point of view, it's probably the most prestigious award of all - everyone wants to win it," he said.
"The AHA judges know all the major groups, and there are a lot of them, and look at who are the best at their game.
"They consider a lot of aspects, from marketing to appearance of the venues, the food they serve and the service they give."
The Feros Group's previous AHA awards include The Prince being named NSW Hotel of the Year in 2017 and Huxley's winning the Best Burger award in the 2018 NSW Awards.
AHA national president Scott Leach said the national awards "draw together the best venues of the year from right across Australia".
"These hotels lead the way in innovation, in inspiration and in design."
Crown Towers Perth won the Hotel of the Year award.
The national title for Best Superior Accommodation was won by Maylands Lodge in Tasmania, while the Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders won Best Mid-Range Accommodation.
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley was recognised with the award for Best Environmental and Energy Efficiency Practice.
The Best Restaurant award went to Hardy's Verandah Restaurant, Mount Lofty House in South Australia while Best Accommodation Hotel Bar was won by Alibi, Ovolo Woolloomooloo, in Sydney.
The award for Best Tourism Initiative went to Voyages Ayers Rock Resort.