About the Hotel Design Award

Nominees Hotel Design Award 2026

The Hotel Design Award recognizes outstanding hotel projects across Europe that were completed and opened within the eligible period. The award honors hotels that distinguish themselves through exceptional architecture, design, and innovation—regardless of whether they are luxury or budget, part of a chain or independently managed, designed for short or long stays, or located in urban or resort destinations.

Each year, the award is presented to the hotel that most convincingly embodies an outstanding design concept, reflecting the spirit and focus of the 196+ forum Milan.

The finalists and the winner have been announced during this year's 196+ forum Milan on 20 April 2026.

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Hotel Design Award Winner 2026

A round of applause and heartfelt congratulations to our winner Maison Heler Metz | A Curio Collection Hotel by Hilton.

Extraordinary and unconventional, Maison Heler, imagined by Philippe Starck, is a habitable work of art and an iconic architectural landmark in the city of Metz. A monolithic nine-story building topped with a house inspired by 19^th-century Lorraine residences, surrounded by hanging gardens and terraces offering breathtaking views over Metz. On the ground floor, the reception and the restaurant La Cuisine de Rose with its giant origami airplane, play with elegant contrasts between immaculate ceramics and charred furniture. La Cuisine des Rose, “a charming white room wrapped in love and touches of pink“, features delicate pink tableware designed by Starck and serves poetic, floral, and joyful dishes. 104 rooms combine raw concrete, marble, sliding mirrors, and white cotton – a nearly Spartan spirit, softened by plush rugs and natural leather armchairs. The rooms invite dreams and inspiration, punctuated by surprises such as poetic quotes and cryptic alphabets. In the hallways, images from the National Archives and the CNRS evoke unusual inventions. At the top, guests can overlook the city at La Maison de Manfred, an elegant, family-style dining room with green embossed leather columns, terracotta walls, wooden logs, and stained glass windows by Ara Starck that cast a cathedral-like light. Maison Heler is based on the book “The meticulous life of Manfred Heler” and born solely from the creative genius of Philippe Starck - an architectural fairytale crystallized into matter.

Other finalists in alphabetical order:

LILLØY, Lindenberg, Bergen, Norway, redefines hospitality through architectural sensitivity and an extraordinary sense of place. Set on a private island 40 minutes from Bergen, this intimate retreat hosts up to ten guests across a restored main house and annex. Book a room or reserve the entire island — the choice makes LILLØY both exclusive and deeply personal. Bergen-based studio Vera & Kyte brings restraint, warmth and local relevance to every detail: Nordic craftsmanship, handmade ceramics, local glassware. Chef Antje de Vries extends the concept through seasonal plant-based cuisine — ingredients drawn even from the island's own underwater seaweed farm. What makes LILLØY truly award-worthy is its coherence. Architecture, interiors, food, sustainability and guest experience all speak the same language — from dawn kayaking and sauna rituals to fireside gatherings and an artist residency. Beautiful, innovative and fully rooted in its place.

Villa Pétrusse, Luxembourg, is a rare synthesis of heritage preservation and contemporary design excellence. Set within a historic villa overlooking the Pétrusse Valley, the hotel preserves its classical proportions, original structural elements and detailed façades, while subtle new interventions in natural materials complement rather than compete with the historic fabric. Large windows and terraces frame the valley views, creating a strong dialogue between architecture and landscape. Designed by Tristan Auer, the interiors evoke a private Luxembourg residence reinterpreted for the modern traveller. Natural stone, warm woods, brushed metals and custom textiles build a tactile, layered atmosphere, while soft greens, earthy tones and muted neutrals reflect the surrounding valley. Every detail — from bespoke furniture to lighting — contributes to a sense of curated residential luxury. This seamless blend of history, craftsmanship, sustainability and high-end comfort makes Villa Pétrusse a benchmark for boutique hospitality design in Europe.