CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 AWARDS SHORTLIST
6 Years of celebrating Saudi hospitality excellence
The Hotel & Hospitality Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of Saudi residents and Saudi businesses who have significantly contributed to the Kingdom's hospitality industry. The shortlist has been announced for the four main categories: Individual Achievement Awards, Restaurant and Café Awards, Hotel Excellence Awards, and the Special Initiatives and Practices Awards.
The Hotel & Hospitality Awards ceremony will take place on 17 September 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC). Join us as we continue to elevate and celebrate the future of hospitality in Saudi Arabia.
Hospitality Leader of the Year
- Muin Serhan | Amsa Hospitality
- Mohsin Yaqoob | BAAN Hotels Group
- Hammad S Hammad | Dyafa Holding for Hotels & Resorts
- Rizwan Asim | Herfy Foods
- Mazin Alabdulkarim | The Hotelier Office
- Fahad Al Sayegh | IHG InterContinental Madinah
F&B Icon of the Year
- Ali Al Musalam | NAVA Group
- Mohamed El Zanati | Elaf Hotels
- Muhammad Ali Razi | Aseeb
- Moustafa Ahmed Mahran | Verta Hotels & Resort
Supported by:
Chef of the Year
- Chef Bonoutas Dimitrios - Carbone Riyadh
- Chef Samir Yahyaoui - Joudyan Olaya
- Naji Berjawi - Executive Chef - Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center
- Chef Daniele Chiari - Culinary Studio
- Chef Nehmedoh El Ashmawi - Dar Al Iman InterContinental Madinah
- Chef Sayed Osman-Makkah Hotel & Towers
Supported by:
Rising Star of the Year (5 years in industry)
- Ammar Al-Aboudi | Dyafa Holding for Hotels & Resorts
- Nada Al Hawsawi | Elaf Group
- Ammar Karam Marikkar | Elaf Taiba Hotel
- Fadak Mahdi Bahbah | Golden Tulip Dammam Hotel
Housekeeping Team of the Year
- Housekeeping Team - Dar Al Iman InterContinental Madinah Hotel
- Housekeeping Team | Jayden Hotel
- Housekeeping Team | Grand Millennium Al Haram Hotel
- Housekeeping Team | Joudyan Olaya Riyadh By Elaf
- Hafizuddin Sayed | SG Engineering Specialists Consulting
Hospitality Icon of the Year
- Mohamed Sabry | Traveliun
- Hammad S. Hammad | Dyafa
Executive Leadership Team of the Year
- Snood Hotels Company Executive Leadership Team
- Mustafa Abdelmonem & The Saldwich Executive Leadership Team
Restaurant & Café Awards
Best Café of the Year
- Roaster Project
- Lee Lantee
- Punto Cafe’ & Roastery
Supported by:
Best Casual Dining Restaurant
- Wildfire - Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center
- Kilo Restaurant
- Bahryat Express
- Moma’s Garden Al Khobar, KSA
- Tannourine - Casual Dining Restaurant
Supported by:
Best Fine Dining Restaurant
- Carbone Riyadh
- AlForno Restaurant
- Rava Restaurant
Supported by:
Hotel Excellence Awards
Best Budget Hotel
- جولدن جاردن للشقق المخدومة
- VERTA HOTEL ALOLAYA RIYADH
- Karim Hotel Dammam by Dyafa
- Snood Hotels
Best Business Hotel
- Edge Riyadh - Al Rabie by Rotana
- Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center
- Joudyan Olaya
- Element by Marriott
- Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina
Luxury Hotel of the Year
- Mansard Riyadh, a Radisson Collection Hotel
- The Biltmore Al Madinah Hotel
- Hotel Madareem
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention & Exhibition Center
- Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency Makkah
Special Initiatives and Practices Awards
Award for Environmental Excellence
- Karim Hotel Dammam by Dyafa
- Saldwich
- Makkah Hotel & Towers
- Rixos Obhur Jeddah
- Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center
Award for Best Use of Technology
- Hafeez Iqbal – Crowne Plaza Jeddah Al Salam
- StayOps
- Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention Center
- Makkah Hotel & Towers
