Hotel Design Award

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The prestigious industry award "Hotel Design Award" targets hotels that were completed and opened in Europe within the last one and a half years before the 196+ forum Milan. The prize goes to a hotel which stands out from among its competitors in terms of architecture, design and innovation, no matter whether it is a luxury or a budget hotel, a chain hotel or privately managed, short or long stay, city hotel or holiday resort. 196+ forum Milan regards a homogeneous combination of all the individual aspects to form a winning hotel concept.

The main criteria are:

originality of the accommodation concept,
architectural quality (building and façade),
integration into the project’s surroundings,
interior design
innovation (planning and construction, design, operation and technology, related processes, environment/sustainability)

The finalists and the winner will be announced during 196+ forum Milan on 7 April 2025.

Want to know more? Download the application information for the Hotel Design Award 2025 or contact awards@196plus.com

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Hotel Design Award 2025

26 hotels from 13 countries have applied for the European "Hotel Design Award 2025"

This year, the Hotel Design Award 2025 has received applications from 26 exceptional hotels across 13 countries, showcasing the rich diversity and innovation within European hospitality. With this prestigious award, we celebrate hotels that stand out for their distinctive design, groundbreaking innovation, and architectural brilliance. The competition was open to newly built properties or those that have undergone significant renovations and repositioning within the past 18 months.

Christian Walter, Global CEO of PKF hospitality and chairman of the jury, on the applicants and the final nominees: “Overall, we had a pool of about 30 very high-quality applications for the Hotel Design Award 2025. At the beginning of the jury meeting, there was one clear consensus amongst the jury members: It would be a really tough decision. However, in the end, the ten nominees all show a distinct interior and exterior design language corresponding with the given surroundings and, in many cases, the existing buildings. Also, strong elements of story-telling were identifiable in all ten cases."

After careful deliberation, our panel of industry experts has selected 10 finalists from the original pool of applicants, each one representing the pinnacle of design, creativity, and innovation in the hotel sector. The winner of the Hotel Design Award 2025 will be unveiled on 7 April 2025, during 196+ forum in Milan.

The selection of the finalists is based on a careful evaluation of several key criteria:

USP / Uniqueness
Innovation
Exterior Design
Interior Design
Storytelling

These factors, combined with the hotel’s ability to create a unique guest experience and integrate seamlessly into its environment, ultimately determine which properties make the final cut. The award recognizes those that push the boundaries of hospitality design, setting new standards for the industry.

Nominees Hotel Design Award 2025

Hotel Design Award 2024

Congratulations to the Rome EDITION for winning the Hotel Design Award 2024!

Rigor, essentiality and linearity are the guidelines of both the public and the private spaces of The Rome Edition. Both in the spatial organization and in the choice of materials, a soft and non-invasive approach emphasizes the original architectural identity. With spectacular 7 meter high ceilings, the use of travertine, bronze and teak, accentuating fabrics and a lush courtyard/restaurant with over 400 plants and a cascade of greenery on the façade, the hotel unfolds like the acts in an opera.

Other finalists in alphabetical order:

Maison ELLE Paris -By seamlessly blending media and hospitality, Maison ELLE Paris offers guests a unique journey through the world of fashion, culture, and luxury. Born from the iconic ELLE Magazine brand and rooted in the timeless elegance of French Art de vivre, Maison ELLE redefines the boutique hotel experience through animating the ELLE brand through every touchpoint.

Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich - Founded in 1838 and after extensive renovation, the city’s oldest grand hotel and iconic property, Mandarin Oriental Savoy Zurich blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication and incredible service. With destination dining and a rooftop bar, the hotel exudes a contemporary, international style which contrasts beautifully with the building’s striking architecture.

Winner of the Hotel Design Award 2023: the comodo

Winner of the Hotel Design Award 2022: Hotel Casa Cook Samos