Award Categories & Shortlists

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located in a city and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Prime urban location, transport access, business hubs and cultural amenities.
• Services, amenities and community engagement supporting long-term ownership.
• Smart home technology, sustainability or creative urban living solutions.
• Exterior and interior design integration with the local environment.

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located in a resort or leisure destination and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Leisure setting, environmental integration and cultural amenities.
• Services, amenities and community engagement supporting ownership.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.
• Exterior and interior design integration with the local environment.

Who should enter

Any branded residence associated with a luxury brand that has been open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• How the property embodies the affiliated luxury brand's values.
• Services, amenities, engagement, retention, resale or testimonials.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.
• Exterior and interior design integration with the local environment.

Who should enter

Branded residence developers, operators and architects. Each entry should focus on a single project.

Judging criteria

• Floor plan, façade and landscaping, with images recommended.
• Layout, programming and operational planning that enhance resident and operator experience.
• Design originality or technical innovation.
• Environmentally and socially responsible design.
• Alignment with the original brief and budget.

Who should enter

Branded residence developers, operators and interior designers. Each entry should focus on a single project.

Judging criteria

• Aesthetics, layout and alignment with brand identity.
• How FF&E, materials and finishes affect resident and operator experience.
• Design originality or technical innovation.
• Environmentally and socially responsible design.
• Alignment with the original brief and budget.

Who should enter

Technology providers, branded residence operators and developers, either company-wide or project-specific.

Judging criteria

• How the product or service is new, different or solving a challenge.
• How the technology improves resident and operator experience.
• How it simplifies complex processes and fits existing systems.
• Future developments, upgrades and integrations.

Who should enter

Operators, developers, agencies or consultants responsible for campaign execution and results for a single property.

Judging criteria

• Clear objectives and overall campaign strategy.
• How the strategy was implemented and what made it stand out.
• Creative approaches, channels, technologies, experiences or storytelling.
• Measurable outcomes, including leads and conversions (include actual figures) and why you believe it was a success.

Who should enter

Consultants, advisory firms, legal advisors and professional service providers supporting branded residence projects.

Judging criteria

• Influence on direction, feasibility, positioning or long-term development success.
• Advisory, legal, financial, operational or development structuring excellence.
• Original thinking or new approaches to development, legal or financial challenges.
• Measurable results in viability, delivery, risk or stakeholder value.

Who should enter

Individuals in the branded residence sector. Personal submissions and colleague nominations are welcome. Our judges will select a shortlist, and the award will be voted for online by Boutique Hotel News readers.

Judging criteria

• New ideas, products or ways of working that advanced the sector.
• Influence, decision-making and ability to drive change.
• Measurable contribution to business performance, resident experience or industry standards.

Who qualifies

Individuals who have shaped the industry, inspired others or set long-term benchmarks for excellence and innovation. Our judges will select a shortlist, and the winner will be voted for online by Boutique Hotel News readers.

Judging criteria

• Commitment to personal and professional development and future ambitions.
• Clear understanding of business and financial planning.
• Contribution to the branded residence market domestically, regionally or globally.

Who should enter

Developers, operators, architects, designers or brand partners with upcoming or conceptual projects. Our judges will select a shortlist, and the award will be voted for online by Boutique Hotel News readers.

Judging criteria

• Originality across design, service offering and lifestyle experience. Renderings and other visual material are mandatory.
• How the concept enhances future living and community experiences. Renderings and other visual material are mandatory.
• Responsible design, technology integration or operational innovation.
• Alignment with a branded residence model and potential to set new standards.

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located within the region and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Local or regional positioning, accessibility and lifestyle appeal.
• Services, amenities and engagement supporting long-term ownership.
• High-quality exterior and interior design aligned with brand identity.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located within the region and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Local or regional positioning, accessibility and lifestyle appeal.
• Services, amenities and engagement supporting long-term ownership.
• High-quality exterior and interior design aligned with brand identity.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located within the region and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Local or regional positioning, accessibility and lifestyle appeal.
• Services, amenities and engagement supporting long-term ownership.
• High-quality exterior and interior design aligned with brand identity.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.

Who should enter

Any branded residence, including standalone properties, located within the region and open for at least six months.

Judging criteria

• Local or regional positioning, accessibility and lifestyle appeal.
• Services, amenities and engagement supporting long-term ownership.
• High-quality exterior and interior design aligned with brand identity.
• Technology, sustainability or creative living solutions unique to the property.

Who is considered

Winners of The Americas, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia-Pacific Best Branded Residence categories.

Selection process

• The four regional Best Branded Residence winners are considered.
• The Boutique Hotel News team selects the global winner.