HotelsCombined found and processed 534 opinions that Black Gold Motel guests have posted on a variety of different websites, forums and social media, resulting in a rating of 9.6 out of 10. 

Restaurant supervisor and functions coordinator Melissa Besley said that despite winning the award last year they didn’t expect to win it again. 

“You don’t expect to win every year but it just shows that we are still up there with hotels like the Fairmont and Sydney,” she said. 

The HotelsCombined Recognition of Excellence is not a ranking list but a group of outstanding accommodations based on a strict set of criteria. 

At the time of judging, a winner must be rated 8.50 out of 10 or over with a minimum of 50 customer reviews certified by HotelsCombined. 

HotelsCombined mustn’t be able to detect any major customer service problems, nor recurring or unresolved issues. 

HotelsCombined also took into consideration the way the hotel staff answered the Hotels communication team, demonstrating their commitment in providing quick assistance. 

“To just be recognised is an honour," she said. 

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Miss Besley said that the award was due to how well the staff functioned together. 

“We are all super proud to get another award, we all work really well together; the office staff, the house keepers who keep the rooms spick and span,” she said.

“Everyone just does their job really well and works super hard.” 

Market manager of HotelsCombined Australia, Alberto Castellucchio said the difference with the Recognition of Excellence was the way information was gathered and analysed because it all depended on the guest and his or her experience with that particular accommodation. 

“We are thrilled to be working with the best hotels in Australia and Black Gold Motel Wallerawang is certainly among them,” Mr Castellucchio said.