Nadeem Zaman
Group Chief Strategy Officer, Rua Al Madinah Holding
ABOUT THE AWARDS
6 Years of celebrating Saudi hospitality excellence
For years, the Hotel & Hospitality Awards have celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals and entities who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Kingdom’s hospitality industry. This year, we are thrilled to announce 15 categories that will set new benchmarks for innovation and excellence in the hospitality and foodservice industry.
Hotel & Hospitality Awards features four main categories: Individual Achievement Awards, Restaurant and Café Awards, Hotel Excellence Awards, and the Special Initiatives and Practices Awards.
Winners will be announced at the Hotel & Hospitality Awards ceremony 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.
Individual & Team Achievement Awards
Hospitality Leader of the Year
Recognizes a hospitality leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, business performance, and a positive impact on teams, guests, and the wider industry.
Judging Criteria:
- Leadership qualities
- Business impact
- Talent development
- Industry influence
F&B Icon of the Year
Awards a hospitality professional who has significantly influenced food and beverage trends, operations, and guest experiences.
Judging Criteria:
- Influence on industry trends
- Operational excellence
- Innovation
- Guest feedback
Supported by RAK Porcelain
Rising Star of the Year (5 years in industry)
Recognizes an emerging hospitality professional with up to five years of industry experience who has shown outstanding potential, innovation, and impact within their role.
Judging Criteria:
- Potential for growth
- Creativity
- Innovation
- Early career accomplishments
Chef of the Year
Recognizes a chef who has excelled in culinary innovation, menu development, and guest satisfaction.
Judging Criteria:
- Creativity
- Culinary innovation
- Guest feedback
- Team development
Supported by Restaurants and Cafés Owners Association (RCOA)
Housekeeping Team of the Year
Celebrates excellence in housekeeping, recognizing teams that consistently deliver exceptional standards of cleanliness, operational efficiency, and guest satisfaction.
Judging Criteria:
- Attention to detail
- Operational excellence
- Guest satisfaction
- Team collaboration
Hospitality Icon of the Year
Honors a veteran in the hospitality industry for their long-term contributions, leadership, and inspiration to others.
Judging Criteria:
- Career impact
- Leadership
- Industry influence
- Mentorship contributions
Executive Leadership Team of the Year
Recognizes an executive leadership team that has demonstrated strong collaboration, strategic leadership, and a positive impact on business performance and guest experiences.
Judging Criteria:
- Strategic leadership
- Team collaboration
- Business performance
- Employee engagement
Restaurant & Café Awards
Best Café of the Year
Celebrates a café known for its exceptional coffee, innovative menu, and inviting atmosphere.
Judging Criteria:
- Beverage and menu quality
- Ambiance
- Guest reviews
- Innovation
Supported by Qahwa Association of Saudi Arabia (QASA)
Best Casual Dining Restaurant
Awards a restaurant that excels in providing an outstanding casual dining experience with consistent quality and value.
Judging Criteria:
- Quality and consistency of food
- Ambiance
- Guest satisfaction
- Overall value
Supported by Restaurants and Cafés Owners Association (RCOA)
Best Fine Dining Restaurant
Recognizes a restaurant offering exceptional fine dining experiences, distinguished by high-quality food, service, and ambiance.
Judging Criteria:
- Quality of cuisine
- Service standards
- Ambiance
- Guest Feedback
Supported by Restaurants and Cafés Owners Association (RCOA)
Hotel Excellence Awards
Best Budget Hotel
Recognizes a budget hotel offering exceptional value, comfort, and guest satisfaction.
Judging Criteria:
- Value for money
- Cleanliness
- Guest satisfaction
Best Business Hotel
Celebrates a hotel that provides exceptional services and facilities for business travelers.
Judging Criteria:
- Business amenities
- Guest satisfaction
- Service innovation
Luxury Hotel of the Year
Awards a luxury hotel that delivers unparalleled service, elegance, and guest experience.
Judging Criteria:
- Service excellence
- Property design
- Amenities
- Guest feedback
Special Initiatives and Practices Awards
Award for Environmental Excellence
Recognizes a hotel for exceptional efforts in environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Environmental impact
- Operational effectiveness
- Scalability of practices
Award for Best Use of Technology
Recognizes an organization that has successfully used technology to improve operations, enhance guest experiences, and deliver measurable results.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation
- Operational impact
- Guest experience
- Measurable outcomes
AWARDS CEREMONY
- Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday, 17 September 2026.
- All shortlisted companies must have at least one representative attending the awards ceremony.
MEET THE JUDGES
Ihab EL Haddad
Development & Design Director, Dan Company
Tarique Khatri
Chief Commercial Officer, Almosafer Travel & Tourism Co.
Aamir Riaz
Chief Operating Officer, Amsa Hospitality
Antoine Youssef Zgheib
Executive Director - Operational Excellence, SEVEN
Turki Abdulrahman Al Qurashi
Vice Chairman of the Board, Restaurant & Café Owners Association
Eng. Abdullah Humaidi Al Salamah
Chairman of the Board, Restaurant & Café Owners Association
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
OFFICIAL PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS
AWARDS SPONSOR
RECOGNITION PARTNER
TAKE A LOOK AT THE 2025 EDITION
