MUSE Hotel Awards 2026
The 2026 MUSE Hotel Awards is an international competition that recognizes the best in the world of hospitality and the most amazingly designed hotels. “Crowning Achievements” is the theme for 2026 and it will deal with the hotels, resorts, and hospitality-design professionals who provide the best guest experiences, the most creative design, and the highest standards of service and creativity, etc. This competition values not just the luxury or size but also the quality of design, hospitality, and vision.
Competition Overview
The MUSE Hotel Awards is accessible to hoteliers, hotel developers and builders, interior designers, architects, public-relations firms, travel agencies, and any professionals who are directly or indirectly associated with hospitality and hotel design. Hotels that are still under construction can also be entered if they have received planning approval. The participants are allowed to submit one or several entries in any of the existing categories, “Hotel” and “Hospitality Design” being just a couple of them.
Timeline
| Entry Period | Dates |
|---|---|
| Early Bird | October 16 – November 13 2025 |
| Regular | November 14 – December 11 2025 |
| Final | December 12 2025 – January 15 2026 |
| Final Extension | January 16 – February 26 2026 |
| Results Announcement | April 10 2026 |
Entry Fees
| Category | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Hotel (first entry) | 450 (Early Bird) / 550 (Regular) / 650 (Final) / 750 (Final Extension) |
| Hotel (additional entry) | 250 / 350 / 450 / 550 |
| Hospitality Design (first entry) | 209 (Early Bird) / 219 (Regular) / 239 (Final) / 249 (Final Extension) |
| Hospitality Design (additional entry) | 149 / 159 / 179 / 189 |
Awards & Recognition
| Level | Awards / Benefits |
|---|---|
| Category Winner of the Year | Limited‑edition MUSE statuette, featured banner, dedicated profile page, gallery highlight, press release, social media and media‑partner exposure |
| Platinum MUSE | Winner profile, media and publicity, certificate, interview opportunity |
| Gold MUSE | Winner profile, media exposure, certificate, interview opportunity |
| Silver MUSE | Winner profile, certificate, recognition |
Submission Requirements
To take part in the competition, participants need to submit a project brief of about 350 words together with images in flattened JPEG or JPG format. The maximum size for each image is 4 MB, while the minimum width is around 1200 px at 300 dpi and in RGB mode. For the entries which contain video or audio, a direct URL is required (e.g. Vimeo or YouTube). In case of non-English submissions, they must come with a translation or adaptation.
Judging Criteria
In the case of Hotel entries, judges assess establishment summary, amenities, visual identity/design, brand presence or reputation (including online/social media), and general feeling. On the other hand, the evaluation of the Hospitality Design entries is based on the following criteria: creativity/originality, concept clarity, execution, innovation & technology, functionality, sustainability, and overall impact (“wow” factor).
Why This Competition is Important
The MUSE Hotel Awards act as a trigger for the entire industry to celebrate and recognize the best hospitality projects, designers, and products all around the world. To win or be nominated is a great opportunity to prove yourself as an expert and get recognized worldwide. It also allows the mediators, hoteliers, and designers to connect with each other through the award and the industry partners along with the potential clients, this provides a crowded area with visibility and prestige. The award is based on the criteria of innovation, sustainability, and guest experience instead of just star rating, thus setting up a new standard of hospitality design worldwide.
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The 2026 MUSE Hotel Awards set forth an international stage where hoteliers, designers, architects, and hospitality professionals can present their best innovations and hotel projects to the world. The contest is non-confrontational, all-inclusive, and open to both the already recognized and the not so recognized participants from every corner of the globe, turning the spotlight on creativity, service, and guest experience as the main criteria. The submissions are passed through the experienced judges who rate them on their originality, design execution, functionality, and the impact created. The winners are then rewarded with global acknowledgment, media coverage, and professional recognition. Participation in this competition means signing up for a huge opportunity to raise your work to the next level, to mingle and to be recognized in the circles of the international networks, and to showcase the very best in the area of hospitality and design innovation.
Conclusion
The 2026 MUSE Hotel Awards are a stage where hotels, resorts, and other hospitality professionals like designers present their best work on an international level. The vetting of already owning or newly built the entries that have been submitted will be done according to criteria of creativity, quality, and excellence in hotel design. If the project is a representation of innovation, service, and vision, then this contest is the way to go for gaining global prestige and recognition within the industry.
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ArchUp Editorial Management
Jury Assessment:
· No information provided about jury members
· No details available about their expertise or professional backgrounds
· Reference to “expert committee” is insufficient and undocumented
Competition Nature Analysis:
· Platform Relevance:
· Focuses on hotel design and hotel architecture
· Falls within architecture and interior design specialization
· Theme relevant to architecture field
· Commercial Aspects:
· Very high participation fees (up to $750)
· Multi-tiered and multi-phase fee structure
· Clear commercial character with focus on marketing and promotion
Final Evaluation:
· Detailed information about jury panel and their expertise must be added
· The organizing entity and its nature of work should be clarified
· Verification of value proposition relative to high fees is recommended
· Theme appropriate for ArchUp from specialization perspective