AHEAD Asia 2026 Awards: Shangri-La, Soori Honoured
Shangri-La Kunming, Soori Penang, and Park Hyatt Tokyo among projects honored for excellence in newbuilds, conversions, and renovations across the region.
AHEAD Asia 2026 Awards Ceremony Held in Singapore
The AHEAD Asia 2026 awards were announced on 11 September 2026 at the Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore. This event initiates AHEAD's 10th anniversary celebrations, recognizing outstanding hospitality design across the Asian continent. Winners from this regional competition will advance to the AHEAD Global edition, where worldwide champions will be selected.
The awards highlight innovative approaches in hotel development, renovation, and specialized interior spaces, providing a benchmark for design and material specification within the industry.
Key Projects Honored for Newbuilds and Conversions
Shangri-La Kunming in Yunnan, China, received multiple accolades, including Hotel Newbuild, Guestrooms, and Bar, Club or Lounge for its Suma venue, as well as Lobby design. Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts developed the project, with design contributions from East China Architectural Design & Research Institute Co and AvroKO.
The Hotel Conversion award went to Soori in Penang, Malaysia, a project by KKS Hospitality and Soori Hotel & Resorts, designed by SCDA. For Hotel Renovation, Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan, was recognized. This project involved TGRE and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, with design by Kajima Ilya Corporation and Jouin Manku.
Specialized Design and Sustainability Achievements
In the Maldives, .Here at Baa Atoll, developed by Seaside Hotels & Resorts, won for Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces and Suite design, with Kulör Group, Muza Lab, and Topo Design Studio contributing.
The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort in Bandhavgarh, India, secured the Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps award, a project by Anil Palta and The Oberoi Group, designed by Studio Lotus and IPDM. South Palms Resort & Spa, MGallery Collection, in Panglao, Philippines, was honored in both Spa & Wellness and Sustainability categories.
This extensive project involved Panglao Shores, Alturas Group of Companies, Accor, and a consortium of design firms including C9 Hotelworks, SCSY Architects, Rchitects Inc, Enter Projects Asia, White Jacket, Atelier Pond, Topo Design Studio, and XCO2.
Implications for Asia's Design and Sourcing Sector
These awards provide a valuable resource for procurement teams, architects, and interior designers operating within Asia's hospitality sector. The recognition of specific developers and design studios, such as AvroKO for Shangri-La Kunming or SCDA for Soori Penang, identifies key partners for future projects requiring specialized expertise in hotel FF&E and interior finishes.
The emphasis on sustainability, exemplified by the South Palms Resort & Spa award, indicates a growing market demand for environmentally responsible building materials and furnishings across the Philippines and other Asian markets. Specifiers can use these winning projects as benchmarks for material selection and design integration in upcoming hotel developments and renovations.
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