AHEAD MEA 2022 winners revealed

AHEAD MEA, the Awards for Hospitality Experience and Design, has revealed its winners in a ceremony at W Dubai, The Palm.

After receiving nearly 100 regional entries spanning 13 countries, AHEAD’s regional judging panel of leading hoteliers, architects, interior designers and industry commentators narrowed-down their winners in 16 categories.

Leading names from the region’s hospitality industry came together for the ceremony at W Dubai, The Palm, to celebrate this year’s finalists and unveil the winners.

From a luxury lodge on the banks of the Lower Zambezi River to an eco-resort in the depths of AlUla’s desert, some of the region’s most compelling hospitality projects were showcased, demonstrating an array of original design concepts debuted over the past year.

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central was the ultimate winner of the night, taking home three awards including the coveted Hotel of the Year, lauded by the judges as “a fresh take on the region’s hospitality scene that sets it apart from the rest”.

As part of the ceremony’s returning Special Awards, best New Concept was awarded to Sextantio Rwanda. Known as The Capanne (Huts) Project, the concept features a series of traditional Rwandan huts made using local materials and traditions, in a bid to promote a more ethical form of tourism.

Elsewhere, the series’ new Sustainability award went to Habitas AlUla, an eco-resort in Saudi Arabia’s Ashar Valley constructed using only natural materials and modular construction methods, allowing a seamless, low-impact integration with the surrounding environment.

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Bar, Club or Lounge

Leon at The Dubai Edition – UAE
BHATIA & CO. / Marriott International / LW Design

Event Spaces

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central – UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre / Accor / Hopkins Architects / Woods Bagot

Guestrooms

W Dubai, Mina Seyahi – UAE
WASL Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Aedas / Stickman Tribe / Blink Design Group

Hotel Newbuild

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central – UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre / Accor / Hopkins Architects / Woods Bagot

Hotel Renovation & Restoration

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina – UAE
WASL Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Aedas / Stickman Tribe

Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces

Fairmont Tagazhout Bay – Morocco
Akwa Group / Accor / Scape Design / HKS Architects / Wimberly Interiors

Lobby & Public Spaces

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central – UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre / Accor / Hopkins Architects / Woods Bagot

Lodges, Cabins and Tented Camps

Lolebezi Safari Lodge – Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
African Bush Camps / Fox Browne Creative / Jack Alexander

Resort

Habitas Alula – Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia
Habitas

Restaurant

Bushra at Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel – Dubai, UAE
Marriott International / LW Design

Spa & Wellness

Thuraya Wellness at Habitas Alula – Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia
Habitas

Suite

The Penthouse Suite at Hallmark House Hotel – Johannesburg, South Africa
Steyn Investments / Adjaye Associates / Tristan Du Plessis Studio / Black Coffee

Sustainability

Habitas Alula – Ashar Valley, Saudi Arabia
Habitas

New Concept

Sextantio Rwanda – The Capanne (Huts) Project, Nkombo Island, Rwanda

Visual Identity

La Maison Palmier  – Abidjan, Ivory Coast
AM Studio Paris / Appart Hôtel / Design Hotels / Atelier M-Raud / Liautard and The Queen

Hotel of the Year

25hours Hotel Dubai One Central – UAE
Dubai World Trade Centre / Accor / Hopkins Architects / Woods Bagot