The AHEAD Awards, held in association with RH Contract, has unveiled its Top 10 projects of 2024, with Scorpios Bodrum awarded the Ultimate Accolade of the series.
Following regional awards programmes in Asia, the Americas, MEA and Europe, AHEAD’s panel of 25 hospitality experts narrowed down their Global Top 10 projects, comprising the best new hotels of 2024.
Topping this list was Scorpios Bodrum – a new luxury resort perched on Turkey’s most exclusive coastline, designed by local firm Geomim with interiors from Lambs & Lions, StudioMacBride and Annabell Kutucu. “Inviting,” “emotionally inspiring” and “an absolute work of art” were just some of the words used by the panel to describe this year’s Ultimate Accolade winner.
Entries for AHEAD’s 2025 series will open on Friday 31 January at 9am (GMT) – download the entry guidelines now.
In the meantime, meet the Top 10 below:
Ultimate Accolade
Scorpios Bodrum – Turkey
Maxx Royal Hotels / Scorpios / Geomim / StudioMacBride / Lambs & Lions / Annabell Kutucu / ANPT
Perched on a peninsula in the Aegean Sea, Scorpios Bodrum combines the laid-back aesthetic of the brand’s Greek location with a local sensibility, delivering an all-new luxury resort on Turkey’s most exclusive coastline. A collaboration between Turkish firm Geomim, interior designers Lambs & Lions and StudioMacBride, and designer Annabell Kutucu; the resort replaced existing buildings that dominated the island’s silhouette and repurposed 95% of materials in construction. The new design respects the land’s topography and integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, featuring an emphasis on natural materials – from wooden furniture and plastered walls to linen fabrics and woven rugs – and an abundance of natural light, creating a relaxing and harmonious environment.
“A respectful yet modern insertion into the landscape, with astute use of natural elements, light and scenery to add an almost spiritual vibe. Emotionally inspiring and inviting.” “An absolute work of art.”
Top 10
2. Manna, Magouliana – Greece
Stratis Batayas / K-Studio / Monogon / CS Architecture / H. Pangalou & Associates
From sanatorium to secluded mountain sanctuary, Manna Arcadia is a luxury retreat nestled in the fir forests of Greece’s mount Mainalo. Built in 1929, the building’s neoclassical features have been sensitively preserved by K-Studio, from terazzo floors and chestnut panels to metal windows. For the property’s 32 guestrooms, thoughtful layouts and subtle nods to the building’s storied past e layered with natural finishes by local artisans, offering a tranquil retreat anchored in a rich heritage and authentic sense of place. Each room is organised by timber partitions and terazzo floor patterns defining sub-areas, with textured glass, metal detailing and soft fabrics creating a harmonious interplay of materials.
“An understated design that translates into an outstanding guest experience,” mused one judge, with another seeing “quiet luxury, with a sense of place that fits the project and location perfectly.”
Red Sea Global / Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas / Foster + Partners / Muza Lab / SKS Studio
Nestled in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s desert landscape, the luxury resort designed by Foster + Partners and Muza Lab is interlaced with cultural charm, pairing traditional Nabatean architecture and Arabian aesthetics with panoramic views across the dunes, resulting in an immersive experience in the uniquely remote location. From the villas that mirror the undulating dunes, positioned across the site to reflect the Nabatean traders’ journey through the desert, to the handcrafted furnishings, Bedouin tribal fabrics and local artworks, the judges were captivated by the “contextually relevant narrative pulsing through every detail of the design.”
“An exquisite testament to bespoke luxury.”
4. Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park – Tokyo, Japan
Trunk Co. / Keiji Ashizawa Design / Norm Architects
The panel were taken with the hotel’s “beautifully harmonised” design by Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects, embodying the delicate balance of tradition and modernity in Tokyo. The lush greenery woven throughout the Brutalist-inspired, raw concrete structure not only illustrates this juxtaposition but envelops guests in a calming verdant embrace away from the bustling city, complimented by a beautifully pared-back interior palette. The hotel was also commended for its “sensitive and considered engagement with the community,” which is “a pleasure to see in hospitality design.”
“A hotel that is truly more than the sum of its parts.”
5. Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort – Hawaii, USA
Rosewood Hotel Group / Walker Warner Architects / Delawie / NicoleHollis / Vita Inc.
The judges were captivated by the resort’s laid-back Polynesian charm juxtaposed by its dynamic volcanic landscapes, contributing to a uniquely immersive guest experience. After being devastated by a tsunami in 2011, the resort was reimagined by NicoleHollis, with a new design scheme paying homage to Kahuwai Bay’s storied history as a thriving fishing village. “An exquisite use of materials, creating unique moments that brought life to each space,” commented one judge.
“An incredible sense of place” that “grounds guests within the unique environment,” “integrating the volcanic landscape and Hawaiian culture into the resort experience.” “This checks all of the boxes of the resort experience.”
6. Dar Tantora, The House Hotel – AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Royal Commission of AlUla / Kerten Hospitality / Shahira Fahmy Architects / EQI / MMG
Situated in the heart of AlUla’s Old Town, a labyrinth of 12th-century mud brick houses, Dar Tantora is a boutique hotel steeped in the area’s rich cultural heritage. Early Islamic ruins were sensitively converted by Shahira Fahmy Architects, using the same architectural techniques and materials such as palm, Athel wood and natural stone to preserve original features. The now 30-key property stands as a testament to balancing historical authenticity with modern hospitality, with interiors inspired by ancient mural patterns found on site.
“Steeped in a strong sense of place,” commented one judge, with others praising the sustainability considerations made during the conservation.
7. Raffles London at The OWO – London, UK
Westminster Development Services / Whitehall Residences / Accor / EPR Architects / The Office of Thierry W Despont / Goddard Littlefair / AB Concept / DaeWha Kang Design / DPA Lighting Consultants
When converting one of the capital’s most prestigious addresses, the Old War Office, the designers drew inspiration from the Grade-II-listed building’s storied past for the UK’s first Raffles hotel. Led by EPR Architects in collaboration with the late Thierry Despont following an eight-year restoration, the hotel breathes new life into the former government headquarters whilst respecting its charming character, preserving heritage features such as hand-laid mosaic floors and oak panelled walls.
The judges saw “an extraordinary conversion” that was “expertly executed.” “A modern legend that borrows from the past rather than trying to recreate it.”
8. Otro Oaxaca – Mexico
Integradora de Servicios Aliño / Grupo Habita / RootStudio
Immersing travellers in Oaxaca through another lens, Otro Oaxaca offers a fresh and authentic experience of local hospitality. Situated across from the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzman, the hotel’s historic façade appears unassuming but houses a contemporary compound comprising a series of picturesque courtyards, cultural spaces, and a lively roof terrace. The striking structure was designed by a team of local architects at Root Studio led by João Boto Caeiro, with a floorplan inspired by the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mitla, built around a central cross-shaped walkway. Exposed brick and red earth are complimented by raw concrete and reclaimed wood, referencing Oaxacan architecture, while interiors by Grupo Habita showcase sustainable local craftsmanship with suede, resin and metal finishes, creating an elevated utilitarian aesthetic.
“Architecturally stunning,” commented one judge, with another describing it as “an ode to simplicity.” Elsewhere, the panel praised the design’s use of “honest materials” and “just enough attention to detail,” resulting in “a unique space that transports you to a next-level experience.”
9. At Sloane – London, UK
Cadogan Estate / JLC UK / ReardonSmith Architects / GRAF Paris
At Sloane is London’s newest discreet hotel, offering the eclecticism of an historic private residence in Chelsea by ReardonSmith Architects, espoused with elegant French influences from GRAF Paris. Playful secret doorways reveal spaces like a series of jewel boxes, with layered design details such as repurposed theatre chairs and stained-glass windows creating an elevated experience within the Victorian building. The result blends Japonisme, English Arts and Crafts, and Parisian chic to resemble the home of an eccentric collector, creating an enchanting experience of constant discovery for guests.
“A well-executed feast for the eyes” with “exception attention to detail,” commended one judge. “Bold playfulness, intertwined with a respect for both location and history.”
10. One&Only Aesthesis – Athens, Greece
Grivalia Hospitality / Kerzner International / AUDO / A6 Architects / K-Studio / Muza Lab / Greenways
Set within a 21-hectare reserve just South of Athens, One&Only Aesthesis is the brand’s first resort in Greece. Built upon the site of the iconic 1950s beach club, Asteria, the new resort synthesizes the vision of the original architect with contemporary elements, allowing guests to witness the site’s history. Architectural firms A6, Audo and K-Studio revitalised the site after years of neglect, replacing original bungalows with low-rise structures crafted from indigenous stone that blends with the coastal landscape. Interiors by Muza Lab continue this flow with a mix of local timber and marble, hand-crafted linens and blue accents, whilst sliding glass doors blur the line between indoor and outdoor. The result echoes the language of the original modernist complex, honouring its essence and introducing One&Only’s luxury sensibilities.
“This is the definition of a luxury resort, respecting the site’s architectural legacy while providing a fresh experience.”
