Cromwell’s Central Park Apartments is among the finalists in the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence 2023. 

The apartments are up for the award for ‘best motel over 25 rooms’ together with Garden Court Suites & Apartments in Queenstown and Whakatane’s Awa Motel. 

Central Park Apartments in Cromwell is a finalist in the national hospitality awards

Apartment managers Doug and Marg Hay said it was their first time entering and they felt it was time to give it a go and showcase their business.

“We’ve got a fantastic property here… and we want people to know about it,” Marg said.

The couple have been in Cromwell for six years and two of those years have been affected by Covid-19. 

Marg said it was exciting to see their “fantastic year” start to “snowball” with making the awards’ shortlist. 

The Hays employ six people and that number increases over the busy summer months.

“Our staff are amazing. We are nothing without our staff.” 

The awards recognise and celebrate the success, achievements and the resilience of people across the hospitality and accommodation sector.

Hospitality NZ chief executive Julie White said she is delighted by the number of entries.

“These awards are the pinnacle of our industry so we were expecting a lot of interest, and

we have not been disappointed.

“We want to recognise and reward members who create the highest possible standards and experiences for both their guests and their team.”

Cromwell is the only Central destination to feature in the awards for two years running.

Central Park Apartments will be hoping for another win for the town, following the ‘best cafe’ award for Cromwell’s Fusee Rouge cafe in 2022. 

There are 20 categories from which the overall supreme winner will be chosen. There is a People’s Choice Award, open to all finalists and voted on by the public (vote here).

Winners of the Hospitality Awards will be announced at a gala dinner at the Pullman Hotel, Auckland, on June 28.