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AHEAD
from Sleeper - Issue 92
AHEAD MEA
Celebrating the best new hospitality projects in the Middle East & Africa, the AHEAD MEA 2020 shortlist spans the length and breadth of the region, from the coastal dunes of the Namib Desert in the south, to the charming riads of Marrakech in the north.
Whether an architectural wonder in the heart of Dubai, a Saharan escape in Tunisia, or a newbuild set on the foundations of an ancient city in Turkey, the projects will be judged on merits of creative excellence and commercial viability, with 13 prizes up for grabs including Guestrooms, Spa & Wellness, Resort and the prestigious AHEAD Hotel of the Year.
The Lodges, Cabins & Tented Camps category has also been expanded for 2020 thanks to a host of new openings across the continent, with judges feeling that more than four entries deserved a spot amongst this year’s finalists. Projects in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia all make the list, with many focusing on light touch tourism that emphasises experiential luxury by way of immersing guests in the surrounding landscape.
Whilst the hospitality industry faces testing times, the AHEAD programme will continue to recognise the achievements of designers, developers, architects and operators alike, and this year is no different. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 9 November as part of a virtual awards presentation broadcast on the AHEAD and Dezeen websites. And after consulting with our loyal supporters who have expressed a desire to get back to face-to-face events, we’re delighted to be planning a screening party – a drinks and networking event in Dubai (should it be safe to do so), giving our local AHEAD community in the region a chance to come together.
AHEAD MEA SHORTLIST
BAR, CLUB OR LOUNGE
Archer Bar & Eatery at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa
Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture
Infinity Rooftop Bar at Alwadi Hotel – MGallery – Doha, Qatar Msheireb Properties / AccorHotels / Gensler / Squire & Partners
Siddharta Lounge by Buddha Bar at W Muscat – Oman
OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / Rockwell Group
St. Trop at Waldorf Astoria DIFC – UAE
Ward Holding / Hilton Worldwide / Perkins + Will / LW Design
GUESTROOMS
Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar
Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, De Hoop Nature Reserve – South Africa
Natural Selection / Johnathan Hill / Four Mist
The Farmstead at Royal Malewane – Hoedspruit, South Africa
Liz and Phil Biden / The Royal Portfolio
The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi – UAE
Wasl Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Stickman Tribe
HOTEL NEWBUILD
Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa
Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture
ME Dubai at Opus – UAE
Omniyat Properties / Melia Hotels International / Zaha Hadid Architects
The Museum Hotel Antakya – Turkey
Asfuroğlu Group / Emre Arolat Architecture / DesignIst
The Social House Nairobi – Kenya
Lavington Hotel / Symbion Nairobi / Areen Design
LANDSCAPING & OUTDOOR SPACES
Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia
Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium
Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco
Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez
The Farmstead at Royal Malewane – Hoedspruit, South Africa
Liz and Phil Biden / The Royal Portfolio
The Oberoi – Marrakech, Morocco
El Alami Real Estate / Oberoi Hotels & Resorts / Colliers and Partners
LOBBY & PUBLIC SPACES
Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco
Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez
Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa
Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates / Source IBA
ME Dubai at Opus – UAE
Omniyat Properties / Melia Hotels International / Zaha Hadid Architects
Vida Hotel Emirates Hills – Dubai, UAE
Emaar Hospitality Group / Vida Hotels / Lulie Fisher Design Studio
LODGES, CABINS AND TENTED CAMPS
Abelana River Lodge – Phalaborwa, South Africa
Abelana Investor Company / Abelana Game Reserve / DSA Architects International / dsgn Design
&Beyond Ngala Treehouse, Timbavati Private Game Reserve – South Africa
&Beyond / Alexander + Walt / Fox Browne Creative
Habitas Namibia
Habitas
King’s Pool – Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Botswana Wilderness Safaris / Luxury Frontiers / Artichoke
Lepogo Lodges Noka Camp – South Africa
Lepogo Lodges / Yuji Yamazaki, YYA / Sarah Ord Interiors
Puku Ridge – South Luangwa National Park, Zambia Chichele Safaris / Chiawa Safaris / Luxury Frontiers
Zannier Hotels Sonop – Namibia
Zannier Hotels / Zannier Hotels Interior
R E N OVAT I O N , R E STO R AT I O N & CONVERSION
&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge – Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia
&Beyond / Alexander + Walt / Fox Browne Creative
Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar
Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon
Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco
Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez
Long Lee Manor – Shamwari Private Game Reserve, South Africa
Investment Corporation Dubai / Shamwari Private Game Reserve / DSA Architects International / K/M2K Architecture & Interior Design / Landmark Studios
RESORT
Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa – Abu Dhabi, UAE
Marriott International / Godwin Austen Johnson
Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia
Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium
The Oberoi Marrakech – Morocco
El Alami Real Estate / Oberoi Hotels & Resorts / Colliers and Partners
W Muscat – Oman
OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / P49 Deesign / Rockwell Group
RESTAURANT
Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre – UAE
Ward Holding / Hilton Worldwide / Perkins + Will / LW Design
Keystone at Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa
Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture
Mina’s Kitchen at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi – UAE
Wasl Hospitality & Leisure / Marriott International / Stickman Tribe
Nammos Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Dubai – UAE
SDS / Nammos Group / DXB-LAB Architecture / Elastic Interiors
SPA & WELLNESS
Amani Spa & Wellness at The Houghton Hotel – Johannesburg, South Africa
ASHVID Holdings / The Leading Hotels of the World / Boogertman + Partners / dsgn Design
Away Spa at W Muscat – Oman
OMRAN Group / Marriott International / HKS Architects / COWI & Partners / P49 Deesign
Balans Spa & Fitness at The Museum Hotel Antakya – Turkey
Asfuroğlu Group / Emre Arolat Architecture / DesignIst
The St. Regis Cairo – Egypt
Marriott International / St Regis Hotels / Michael Garves Architecture & Design
SUITE
Anantara Tozeur Resort – Tunisia
Qatari Diar / Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas / Agora Premium
Four Seasons Hotel Doha – Qatar
Constellation Hotels Holding / Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts / Pierre-Yves Rochon
Le Palais Ronsard – Marrakech, Morocco
Aram Ohanian and Adriana Karembeu / Relais & Châteaux / Gil Dez
Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch – Johannesburg, South Africa
Amdec / Marriott International / Bentel Associates International / Source Interior Brand Architecture
12 MARCH 2020 10 JUNE 2020 9 NOVEMBER 2020
DUBAI
18 NOVEMBER 2020 LONDON
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