Meet the 22nd Annual HD Awards Finalists in Hospitality Design

The HD Awards finalists spotlight the best in hospitality design, bringing together 34 project categories and 15 product categories judged from more than 1,000 entries.

Hospitality Design magazine confirms the 22nd edition of these awards, with a live winners ceremony on May 5 in Las Vegas during HD Expo + Conference.

The finalists reveal a global portfolio of hotels, resorts, bars, restaurants, and residential projects.

Firms from North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are represented.

The list underscores teamwork, sustainability, and experiential design as key drivers shaping hospitality architecture and interiors.

A Global Showcase of Hospitality Design Finalists

Across continents and project types, the HD Awards finalists show the range of today’s hospitality design.

Projects from major cities to destination resorts highlight how firms use culture, climate, and technology to create memorable guest experiences.

The selection process relied on two panels of judges, ensuring that top concepts and well-executed details advanced to the final round.

Notable hotel finalists include The Standard in Brussels and Pattaya, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Fairmont Tokyo, Four Seasons Hotel Milan, and Mandarin Oriental Vienna.

Boutique and lifestyle projects recognized include Hotel Daphne in Houston, Populus Seattle, The Atlas Hotel in Boston, and Canal House in Georgetown, Washington, DC.

In the resort and destination category, finalists feature developments such as Desert Rock Resort and Shebara Resort in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea region.

Other notable projects are Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai and Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay in Morocco.

The cruise segment is represented by Oceania Cruises’ Allura.

Adaptive and residential projects include 300 Main Residential Tower in San Antonio and The Louie in Spokane.

Trends and Collaboration Shaping the Finalists

The finalists reflect an industry shift toward teamwork, sustainability, and immersive storytelling.

Successful hospitality design now depends on collaboration among interior designers, architects, owners, operators, and procurement partners.

This cross-disciplinary approach helps deliver spaces that are both attractive and adaptable to changing guest needs.

Key trends among the finalists include sustainability and energy-efficient strategies.

Experiential design and storytelling are also used to enhance guest engagement.

Designers are embracing regional styles and authentic materials that reflect local character.

Hybrid typologies that blend resort, cruise, urban hotel, and residential living are becoming more common.

The momentum is global, with strong activity in the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East as projects expand the boundaries of hospitality design.

Notable Projects by Type and Region

Here is a snapshot of finalists by project type and region.

The list shows how the industry balances luxury, local identity, and performance to meet climate, culture, and guest expectations.

• Hotels & Resorts: The Standard (Brussels); The Standard (Pattaya); Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur; Fairmont Tokyo; Four Seasons Hotel Milan; Mandarin Oriental Vienna
• Boutique & Lifestyle: Hotel Daphne (Houston); Populus Seattle; The Atlas Hotel (Boston); Canal House Georgetown (Washington, DC)
• Destinations & Large-Scale Resorts: Desert Rock Resort; Shebara Resort (Red Sea, Saudi Arabia); Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab (Dubai); Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay (Morocco)
• Cruise Design & Residential: Oceania Cruises’ Allura; 300 Main Residential Tower (San Antonio); The Louie (Spokane)

Ceremony Timing and Industry Impact

The finalists will be honored at a live awards presentation on May 5 in Las Vegas during HD Expo + Conference.

This event celebrates outstanding projects and products and highlights the industry’s global momentum toward innovative and sustainable hospitality design.

Implications for Architecture and Engineering Firms

For architecture and engineering practices, the HD Awards finalists highlight the value of collaborative delivery models and early supplier involvement.

The finalists show how procurement partnerships and cross-disciplinary teams can turn complex needs into high-performance spaces.

Firms with integrated design processes—combining structural resilience, efficient systems, and engaging interiors—are well positioned to meet the demand for turnkey hospitality solutions.

Stay Connected with the HD Awards

To keep up with the latest from the HD Awards, readers should follow Hospitality Design magazine and the HD Expo + Conference event. The awards’ official channels also provide important updates.

Staying engaged offers early access to finalists and behind-the-scenes insights. You can also learn about the winners who set the benchmark for global hospitality design.

Keywords: HD Awards finalists, Hospitality Design magazine, HD Expo + Conference, global hospitality design, sustainability, experiential design, interdisciplinary collaboration, cruise design, adaptive/residential projects.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Finalists Announced for the 22nd Annual HD Awards