CENTRAL WESTERN DAILY - Back-to-back wins for popular Orange hotel now vying for Hall of Fame

After winning a prestigious tourism award in 2023, the pressure was on for the Oriana to defend its title.

Now the retro hotel on Woodward Street is vying for a coveted spot in the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame.

For the second year in a row, the Oriana Retro Hotel and Resort has claimed the NSW Tourism Gold Award for 4-4.5 star accommodation. 

The owner of the Oriana, Espen Harbitz said he feels "ecstatic" with the results and admits the stakes were much higher this time around. 

"Last year, we were very surprised that we won. Quite honestly, we entered not expecting that we would win or even be shortlisted," Mr Harbitz said. 

"So winning for the second time feels much more solid and it means we weren't just lucky the first time." 

The businesses that claim the gold award three times are then inducted into the NSW Tourism Hall of Fame, which Mr Harbitz and the team at the Oriana are striving for. 

"It's not many people who achieve that, so I think it will be a letdown not to apply for the third time to go for that, but if we don't get it, we don't get it," he said.

‘Positive energy’

Businesses that enter into the awards are assessted for their sustainability, community involvement and how it improves tourism in the its local district, but Mr Harbitz said what really sets the Oriana apart is its "positive energy". 

"We all work long hours, but it's a lifestyle, and we all have a choice of making that lifestyle a happy one," he said.

"We work according to good old fashioned hospitality, with that extra level of service - very customer focused, staff focused. 

General Manager Kellie Ferguson said staff are "really valued" at the Oriana and retention is high. 

Ms Ferguson, who started as a receptionist, now leads the team alongside Nicole Treacy who started off in a casual position and is now the hotel's full-time marketing manager. 

"We all believe in what we're doing and we all enjoy it. That's the big thing and customers can see that," Ms Ferguson said. 

"We're constantly looking at improve and love coming up with new ideas, so we know we're on the right track and [the award] is confirmation of that."

The summer ahead 

Mr Habitz took over the Oriana eight years ago has renovating the original property, but kept its retro features, inspired by the the motels of Palm Springs in Florida. 

The Oriana said they will be hosting a party in January to celebrate the award and eight years since taking over Oriana.

Also this summer, Mr Harbitz said the garden and the pool will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and cocktails. 

"So as long as you are booking in for lunch or dinner or having cocktails in the pool you can come ... We are going to make the pool club bigger and better than it's ever been," he said. 

Any business placed in the gold category is nominated for the Australian Tourism Awards in March this year, so anyone that placed gold in their category is up against every other state that placed gold.

Originally published by the Central Western Daily - https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/8835861/oriana-retro-hotel-wins-nsw-tourism-gold-again/