Nominees Hotel Design Award 2026
25 hotels from 13 countries have applied for the European "Hotel Design Award 2026"
This year, the Hotel Design Award 2026 has received applications from 25 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.
Here are our 10 nominees in alphabetical order:
Casa Cook Madonna
Madonna di Campiglio, Italy
© Casa Cook Madonna
Casa Cook Madonna shows how transforming an existing building can refresh both a hospitality brand and its surroundings. Located on the village square, the hotel honors local tradition while appealing to a new generation of international travelers. Its lobby and terrace serve as shared living spaces where guests and locals naturally come together.
Huus Quell
Gonten, Switzerland
© Huus Quell
HUUS QUELL is the first Leading Hotels of the World property in Switzerland’s Appenzell region and a bold example of sustainable luxury. Meaning “Source” or “Spring House,” it is the flagship of APPENZELLER HUUS, a wellness lifestyle community of three properties. Set in the region’s serene, lesser-known landscape, the hotel embodies a philosophy of restoration, regeneration, and return to nature.
Kimpton Main Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
© Kimpton Main Frankfurt | Konstantin Volkmar
The first US-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in the German-speaking market, the Kimpton Main Frankfurt, bridges Frankfurt’s financial heritage with modern energy. Its landmarked facade on the former Deutsche Bank site is integrated into a striking, futuristic building. Inside, Bauhaus-inspired design flows throughout all 155 rooms and suites, creating a cohesive and contemporary hospitality experience.
LILLØY Lindenberg
Bergen, Norway
© LILLØY Lindenberg | Jack Johns | Robert Rieger
LILLØY Lindenberg redefines hospitality through architectural sensitivity, clear concept, and a strong sense of place. Located on a private island 40 minutes from Bergen, it transforms Norway’s rugged coastline into an intimate destination. Here, nature is not a backdrop but the foundation of the entire design concept.
Maison Heler Metz | Curio Collection by Hilton
Metz, France
© Maison Heler Metz
Maison Heler Metz, designed by Philippe Starck, is a landmark of architectural imagination—a nine-story monolith crowned with a traditional Lorraine-style house, blending contemporary engineering with regional heritage. Surrounded by gardens and terraces, it offers panoramic views of Metz. The project introduces a bold new typology, merging sculpture, architecture, and narrative into a poetic, visionary work.
Palais Mailberger Hof
Vienna, Austria
© BWM Designers & Architects | Christoph Panzer
The redesign of Vienna’s heritage-protected Palais Mailberger Hof strikes a refined balance between preservation and contemporary hospitality. Guided by “authentic intimacy,” the 17th-century building was transformed into a tranquil city-center retreat, honoring its historical integrity. The project merges heritage, craftsmanship, and modern design into a coherent, enduring hospitality experience.
SAX Paris, LRX Hotels & Resorts
Paris, France
© LXR
Sax Paris transforms a ca. 1899 neo-Gothic former telephone exchange into the Left Bank’s first LXR property. Preserving the building’s architectural presence, the hotel features understated, elegant interiors and serves as a cultural hub. Its design highlights materiality, texture, and refined finishes that reflect the Rive Gauche’s artistic and intellectual identity.
Steigenberger Icon Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden
Baden-Baden, Germany
© Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden
Part of Baden-Baden’s UNESCO World Heritage, the Steigenberger Icon Europäischer Hof Baden-Baden is a historic landmark reimagined for today. Founded in 1840 and the first Steigenberger hotel in 1930, it has shaped the city’s identity for nearly two centuries. Reopening in 2025, it blends preserved heritage with contemporary luxury and modern comforts.
The Florentin by Althoff Collection
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
© The Florentin | Daniel Schäfer
The Florentin by Althoff Collection merges heritage and contemporary design into a coherent, emotionally resonant whole. Centered on a 1901 villa, atelier Zurich preserves its legacy with authentic materials and precise craftsmanship. As an Urban Retreat, the hotel shows that true impact comes from conviction, skill, and clear design vision.
Villa Pétrusse
Luxembourg, Luxembourg
© Villa Pétrusse | Gaëlle Le Boulicault | Amaury Laparra
Villa Pétrusse blends heritage preservation with contemporary design in a historic villa overlooking the Pétrusse Valley. It combines architectural authenticity with modern luxury, creating an intimate and sophisticated hospitality experience that reflects Luxembourg’s culture. By uniting history, craftsmanship, sustainability, and comfort, it sets a benchmark for boutique hospitality in Europe.