The BLLA Awards were created in 2010 as a platform to celebrate daring and brilliant efforts in the global boutique hospitality industry. Now in its fourteenth year, it determines the world’s best hotels, creators and partners. Explore all of our categories below.
Organized by BLLA, the original boutique hotel association, BLLA Awards is the most authentic and credible platform for independent and boutique hotels, general managers, owners, designers and partners. Nominations should be organized in advance of completing the questions on the Awards site. Ensuring an array of amazing images, social media sites and a clearly written description of why the person or business should win the Award is a crucial component for a chance to win. Incomplete submissions will be unable to move on to the Judging process.
All winners and runner-ups will be published on Sincerely, BLLA, BLLA’s social media platforms, the BOUTIQUE WEEKLY newsletter and celebrated in person on September 16, 2024 from 6-10 pm PT at the Westlake Village Inn. Winners will receive a trophy, 1 ticket to the awards ceremony and a marketing package to promote their award.
Click HERE to register for an individual ticket for the Awards Dinner ONLY on September 16th or to register for a ticket to the full Boutique Hotel Owners Conference (which includes the Awards Dinner) from September 16-17 at the Westlake Village Inn.
Show the industry and the travelers your excellence in what it means to be boutique!
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE ON AUGUST 23 AT 11:59 PM PST
Categories
Global Boutique Hotels
Boutique Hotel Design
Vendor Partners
The Emerging and The Iconic
View Past Winners
Judges
Anita Chan
CEO, Compass Edge
Anita Chan is the CEO of Compass Edge, an award-winning mar-tech agency serving over 550 boutique luxury hotels globally. Under her leadership, the company has earned accolades such as the "Top 10 Travel & Hospitality Service Providers" and the "Silver CTW Award in Innovation." With a background as a hotelier at Four Seasons and Delta Hotels, Anita has held senior roles at a Canadian mar-tech company and a UK digital agency. She is a keynote speaker at major conferences like ITB and WiT, and a guest columnist for TD TravelDaily and Travel Media News Asia.
Brenda Collin
Executive Vice President Europe, Preferred Travel Group
Brenda Collin is the Executive Vice President of Europe for Preferred Travel Group, overseeing a team of 45 and nearly 200 member properties across 25 countries. Since joining in 2013, she has significantly expanded the company’s presence in Europe, tripling its footprint by partnering with renowned hotel brands and signing over 50 new member hotels. Collin’s 30-year hospitality career includes co-founding HotelREZ and roles at Utell and Hilton Hotels. She holds a B.A. in Hotel & Catering Management and certificates in Hotel Real Estate Investments and ESG for Hospitality Leaders. She is based in London.
Doug Olson
President , C2C Designs
Doug Olson is the founder and owner of Coast to Coast Custom Furniture, a company born out of a lifelong passion for exquisite design and attraction to world-class hospitality. Inspired by countless travels and stays in beautiful hotels and resorts, Doug established the company in 2006. With a deep appreciation for the creative process and the tangible outcome of hard work, Coast to Coast has become a thriving business with a dedicated team committed to crafting exceptional furniture pieces.
Heleri Rande
Partner , Think Hospitality
Heleri, originally from Estonia, holds a Bachelor's in Economics and Business from New York University and an executive MBA in Hospitality from École Hôtelière de Lausanne. After leading Puccini Group's EMEA growth, she joined Think Hospitality, focusing on F&B strategy for hotels and malls, working with brands like Accor, Hilton, and Kempinski. Heleri is the Consulting Editor of Supper Magazine, program director at global hospitality events, and co-founder of the New Baltic Hospitality Forum. She also serves on the board of the Global Restaurant Investment Forum and leads the UK Chapter of the EHL Alumni Network.
Frank Roller
Founder/ CEO, Places of Healing
Frank Roller is the founder of Places of Healing, a project born from his deep desire to promote healing through natural surroundings. With a background in business and a lifelong passion for nature, Frank’s vision is to create sanctuaries where people can connect with the environment for physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. His commitment to this mission is rooted in personal experiences, understanding the profound impact nature can have on well-being. Frank's work is dedicated to crafting spaces that inspire peace, reflection, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Yasmine Mahmoudieh
Principal, Yasmine Mahmoudieh Design
Yasmine is a globally recognized architect, designer, and entrepreneur, known for her innovative and sustainable designs. She has won numerous awards, including the 2020 Opal Award for Best Boutique Hotel and the 2008 Hospitality Design Award. Yasmine is a pioneer in multi-sensory and phygital design, integrating scent, sound, and digital elements into her projects. She has displayed her work at NFT Fest Lugano and Milan Digital Week. With a diverse educational background and fluency in six languages, Yasmine’s work spans continents, including landmark projects like the Kempinski Hotel in Moscow and the Airbus A380 design.
Maria Pajares
Managing Director , Mason Rose
Maria Pajares, a hospitality enthusiast from birth, boasts three decades of experience in the travel industry. Her diverse background spans luxury hotels, cruises, and online travel, with a focus on sales, marketing, and communications. As MD of Mason Rose since 2007, Maria's commercial expertise and compassionate leadership have propelled the agency to industry acclaim. With an unwavering passion and extensive network, she provides invaluable support, mentorship, and advice to hospitality stakeholders, leveraging her profound knowledge and longstanding connections. Maria's journey is defined by excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to shaping the future of the industry.
The BLLA awards program is one of the original platforms for showcasing boutique hotels and businesses and their milestones achieved during the past twelve months. Projects are not only judged by their looks, but also by the ethos behind each project. The awards aim to place illumination on the Boutique Community’s achievements. Hosted by the official association for Boutique Hotels and Businesses, the BLLA Awards is the industry’s most daring and authentic stage for celebrating achievement.
Show the world your excellence in boutique and submit!
Submissions are now open for 2024!
Global Boutique Hotels
Global Boutique Hotels
BLLA defines a boutique hotel as a project that offers overnight experiences focused around cultural development and experiences.
$349 submission price
For an independent boutique hotel anywhere in the world that showcases exceptional qualities of an outstanding hospitality experience.
See BLLA’s definitions of a boutique hotel here.
Submit Your Entry
Boutique Hotel Design
Boutique Hotel Design
Must be a design project in a boutique hotel within the last twelve months.
$349 submission price
For guestroom, lobby, public areas, architecture, visual identy/branding or any boutique hotel design done in the last 12 months.
Submit Your EntryVendor Partners
Vendor or Supplier Partner
Any company that sells products or services to boutique hotels
$349 submission price
For boutique hotel vendors or suppliers who have examples of successful partnerships with boutique hotels.
Submit Your EntryThe Emerging and The Iconic
Hotel Owner: Emerging or Iconic
$349 submission price
For a boutique hotel owner located anywhere in the world.
Submit Your Entry
Hotel General Manager: Emerging or Inconic
$349 submission price
For a boutique hotel general manager located anywhere in the world.
Submit Your Entry
Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing: Emerging or Inconic
$349 submission price
For a boutique hotel director of sales & marketing located anywhere in the world.
Submit Your Entry