Waihi Beach Hotel is up against three other country pubs vying for a national recognition after being named a finalist in Hospitality New Zealand's Awards for Excellence Programme.

The Waihi Beach establishment – known for attracting huge crowds during summer with top Kiwi acts and concerts – is named a finalist in the award's best country hotel category.

Waihi Beach Hotel is a finalist in 2014's Hospitality New Zealand's Awards for Excellence Programme.

The three other best country hotel category finalists are Chatto Creek Tavern in Alexandra – the category's 2013 winner – Sawyers Arms in Waipawa and Theatre Royal Hotel in Kumara.

The Awards for Excellence programme is a Hospitality New Zealand initiative recognising members performing with excellence in 15 different categories.

The range of finalists across the categories encompasses everything from country pubs in small rural towns and cafes in provincial centres, through to upmarket gastro bars and five star hotels in the major cities.

Hospitality New Zealand chief executive Bruce Robertson says the common theme all finalists share is the outstanding levels of innovation, customer service and business professionalism they each displayed – along with the passion and enthusiasm embodied by their respective owners and operators.

'Our worthy finalists epitomise the crème-de-la-crème of New Zealand's hospitality industry across all its guises – and were selected after a comprehensive and rigorous judging process.

Bruce says the standard and quality among finalists sets them apart from their competitors in the marketplace, and any would make worthy winners.

'They are a proud reflection of where the cutting edge of New Zealand's hospitality industry is moving – delivering consumers service standards and environments which are the equal of anywhere in the world.”

Bruce says it's also encouraging to see such a broad spectrum of business ownerships represented in the list of finalists – from private companies and family-run venues, through to large corporate entities with a multi-national presence.

'And in a geographical sense, we have finalists stretching the length of New Zealand. That scope shows the true depth and quality of the hospitality sector across New Zealand.”

Entrants into the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence are judged during a seven-week period by a panel of independent industry professionals, who assess every competitor on a range of commercial and operational criteria – including staff training and human resources, customer service, marketing and promotional activities, and the demonstration of business growth.

Winners of the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence will be announced at the organisation's national conference in Rotorua on September 17-18.