The winners of the first Serviced Apartment Awards celebrated in London last night, after a gala dinner presentation at the Grange Hotel Tower Bridge
Around 350 international guests attended the black-tie ceremony to see the winners of the 18 awards pick up their prizes. The awards were judged by an independent panel consisting of consultants, designers, journalists and service providers.
Two categories – Rising Star and Industry Inspiration – were voted for by Serviced Apartment News readers via an online poll. The two categories between them attracted more than 8,700 voted.
Piers Brown, CEO of International Hospitality Media, the publisher of Serviced Apartment News, said: “We have been hugely encouraged by the response to the awards and last night was a great occasion. To receive more than 200 entries in our first year reinforces our thinking – that the serviced apartment, extended stay and short-term rental sector deserves its own dedicated awards scheme. Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted entries.”
George Westwell, of Cheval Residences, who won the Industry Inspiration award, said: “It was fantastic to receive such an award, which has been voted for by the public and I would consider it to be a defining moment in my career. I believe this reflects all the hard work that the team at Cheval has achieved and what we as an industry have achieved over the last few years.”
Giovanni Valentini of Cycas Hospitality (who almost didn’t make the ceremony because of a transport strike in France) won the Rising Star award. In a rousing and heartfelt interview with awards host Georgina Burnett, Valentini said: “I love my job and I love looking after my guests. Everything I do, I do because I am passionate. I don’t do anything because I am told to.”
Darin Karp of ReloQuest, winner of the Best Use of Technology category, said: “The recognition is brilliant, it has been the biggest challenge for us so this is a very good night”
John Read of Old Town Chambers Edinburgh, winner of the Best Interior Design award said: “It’s been a fantastic evening. We’ve got so many plans for the future – this is a fantastic start.”
Hans Meyer of Best Innovation/Disruption winner Zoku said: “I love this award I really do, especially as we haven’t even opened yet. This is really, really good – especially as I can fit it in my pocket and carry it around. The last award we won was huge – too big. This is better.”
Click here to read the Serviced Apartment Awards judges’ report.
The winners and shortlisted entries were:
Rising Star
Nominees:
Rishi Bansal, FlexiStay
Eleanor Foxwell, Riverbank Penthouse and Apartments
Keith Freeman, Staycity
James Fry, Base Nyon
Peter Heule, Yays/Shortstay Group
Caroline Lewis, Cheval Residences
Winner: Giovanni Valentini, Cycas Hospitality
Industry Inspiration
Nominees:
Anett Gregorius, Apartmentservice Germany/So! Apart
Kimberly Smith, CHBO
Filippo Sona, Colliers International
Max Thorne, MRP Advisory
Tom Walsh, Staycity
Winner: George Westwell, Cheval Residences
Best Apart-hotel
Shortlisted:
Majestic Arjaan by Rotana
Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul
Winner: Oakwood Premier Incheon
Best Architecture/External Design
Shortlisted:
Miniloft Berlin
Yays Concierged Boutique Apartments Oostenburgergracht
Winner: Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach
Best Branded Residence
Shortlisted:
The Apartments by The Sloane Club
Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Winner: Cheval Three Quays
Best Extended Stay Hotel
Shortlisted:
Hala Arjaan by Rotana
Staybridge Suites London – Vauxhall
Winner: Majestic Arjaan by Rotana
Best Independent Operator
Fountain Court Apartments
Staycity
Winner: Cycas Hospitality
Best Innovation/Disruption
Shortlisted:
The BridgeStreet and Airbnb partnership
StayPoints Guest Reward Program
Winner: Zoku
Best Interior Design
Shortlisted:
Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach
Cheval Knightsbridge
Winner: Old Town Chambers Edinburgh
Best International Operator
The Ascott Ltd
Oakwood Worldwide
Skyline
Staycity
Winner: Residence Inn by Marriott
Best Marketing or Branding Campaign
Quest Apartment Hotels – Future proofing & evolving the Quest brand
Zoku – the end of the hotel room as we know it
Winner: Yays – Unlock the neighbourhood
Best Sales/Account Management Team
Shortlisted:
Exchange Suites Management Team
Flexi-Lets
Winner: Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Best Service Provider
Shortlisted:
GuestU
Sky
Winner: Guestline
Best Serviced Apartment
Shortlisted:
Arjaan by Rotana Dubai, Media City
Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh
Winner: Oakwood Premier Guangzhou
Best Short-Term Rental Platform/Operator
Shortlisted:
Oasis Collections
Veeve
Winner: CHBO
Best Use of Social/Media
Shortlisted:
The Ascott Ltd
Cheval Residences
Urban Stay
Winner: Apple Apartments Belfast
Best Use of Technology
Shortlisted:
Furnished Quarters – MyFQ
Zoku – the Zoku app
Winner: ReloQuest
Best Agent
No winner – Highly Commended
Select Apartments
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