The award is fresh on the back of the same award they won last year alongside the franchisee of the year award which was unfortunately awarded to their Napier counterpart this year.

Hotels are assessed on a variety of aspects of their day-to-day running including their quality service and the way they present the motel.

Owner, Mick Cikota, said they were privileged to win the award again.

“It’s always a surprise, but if you are performing well you give yourself a chance,” he said.

The award means the hotel is in the top 10 per cent of all hotels within the Choice brand.

Mr Cikota admitted to being disappointed on missing out on the franchisee award.

“We just have to try a bit harder to get the award next year,” he said.

“It’s good to be part of an organisation like Choice and we’re really proud of setting such a high standard.

“There are a couple of really exciting things about to happen in coming months.”

Mr Cikota said he was proud of receiving the award after the bad publicity the town had received in previous weeks.

“It shows good things do happen in Moree and it’s not just our award, it’s an award for the community and shows that with hard work we do achieve positive results.

“We’ve put Moree on the map again. 

“Last year it was in Darwin, this year it was in front of about 500 people in New Zealand,” he said.