TRAVELLERS will not have to look any further than their own back yard for the best three-and-a-half-star Best Western motel in Australia and New Zealand.

Bundaberg City Motor Inn was recently awarded the best property in the Best Western Awards for Excellence in their rating category.

Owners Tom and Glenda Dunphy were thrilled to win the honour.

“We were surprised, only because this is a big category,” Mr Dunphy said.

He said he and his wife had been at the motel for six years and, in that time, had undertaken quite a few renovations.

“Rooms mainly, but we have also done some work on the car park and the pool,” he said.

“This award makes the six years of hard work worthwhile.

“We could only have won this award with the great team of staff who exceed our guests’ expectations and offer genuine hospitality.”

Mr Dunphy said each year the motel went through a quality assurance program, and it was from favourable results in that, as well as positive comments on external websites such as Trip Advisor and internal surveys of guests that it was suggested they nominate in the national awards.

“This is not a big place. We only have 17 rooms, so winning awards is not our focus,” he said.

“We didn’t know we were in the final category.”

Best Western Australasia chief executive Robert Anderson had nothing but praise for the award-winning motel.

“The Best Western Bundaberg City Motor Inn is a perfect example of quality hospitality within the group,” he said.

“We are delighted by their win and the example this sets for other properties to follow.”