Brit List Awards 2026: Studio Moren and Six Senses London Take Top Honors

The Brit List Awards crowned its 2026 winners on 5 November at the Ministry of Sound in London, closing the tenth anniversary campaign of the UK hotel design and hospitality honors with more than 250 shortlisted finalists competing across 15 categories.

Hotel Designs, the trade title that runs the awards, staged the event as a masquerade party. Publisher Katy Phillips and Editor Sophie Harper presented the trophies, which were designed by EGGER. The awards have operated since 2016 and cover both British and international hotel design and hospitality. The organizers also unveiled The Brit List 2026 book, a publication profiling the top 75 interior designers, architects and hoteliers in Britain.

The Outstanding Contribution Award went to Iain Watson of David Collins Studio, the London firm behind some of the most recognizable luxury interiors in hospitality.

Who won the individual categories?

Studio Moren had the strongest night of any practice. David Harte of Studio Moren won Interior Designer of the Year, with Sammy Bikoulis of LXA Projects highly commended. The firm also took Team of the Year, while its Elena Verdera Pastor was highly commended for Mentor of the Year — that award went to Guy Hilton of The Waldorf Hilton, London.

Richard Holland of Holland Harvey Architects won Architect of the Year; Stuart Forbes of Stuart Forbes Associates was highly commended. Chris King of Crafted won Hotelier of the Year, ahead of Charlotte Weatherall of Corinthia London.

Emily Morton of Kristina Zanic Consultants won the Rising Star Award. Adnan Fakhouri of DesignEQ was highly commended. Kristina Zanic Consultants also picked up a highly commended in the International Award category.

Which projects won?

The property awards spread across several operators and markets:

• Hotel of the Year: The Sloane Club, designed by Morrison Design. The Trafalgar St James, by DLSM Studio, was highly commended.
• Best in Bar & Restaurant Design: Simpson's in the Strand, by Studio Shayne Brady. Brasserie Olivia, by B3 Designers, was highly commended.
• International Award: Baines' Lodge, by Luxury Frontiers. Intercontinental The Red Sea, by Kristina Zanic Consultants, was highly commended.
• The Eco Award: Six Senses London at The Whiteley, by Foster + Partners. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, an IHG property, was highly commended.
• For the Love of Art: Mandarin Oriental Vienna, with art consultancy by Minda Dowling Hotel Art Consultants. Hart Shoreditch was highly commended.

Two supplier-facing categories rewarded product development. Hypnos won Best in British Product Design for its Eden Project Harmony Mattress, with Northern Lights highly commended for the Solace Pendant. Soho Lighting Company won The Innovation Award for its Kinetic Collection; AEES, led by Elena Kotelnikova, was highly commended. Best in Accessible Design went to Fitzroy of London, with Ablestay highly commended.

The awards publish no judging criteria, shortlist scores or entry figures beyond the 250-finalist count, so the distance between winners and runners-up remains undisclosed.

Organizers confirmed the awards will return in 2027, with submission entries opening at the end of April.