The Asia Hospitality Awards (AHA) is pleased to officially announce the winners of its inaugural 2025 edition - marking the beginning of a new, enduring platform dedicated to honoring the most compelling contributions to hospitality and travel across the region.

Under the theme Vibrant Asia, the debut edition of AHA sought to celebrate the dynamic energy, refined creativity, and rich cultural heritage in Asian hospitality.

Launched in August 2024, AHA welcomed an exceptional response from across the continent. Projects were evaluated not only for their design and service innovation, but also for their strategic vision, cultural sensitivity, and long-term impact on both guests and local communities.

By the close of submissions in March 2025, AHA had received an outstanding number of entries. Several categories showcased exceptional competition such as Asia’s Finest City Hotel, Asia’s Finest Wellness Retreat/Sanctuary, Asia’s Finest Concept Resort, and Asia’s Special Achievement for Hotel Manager, Hotels & Resorts; with 74 projects were shortlisted. 

Although this is the first edition of the Asia Hospitality Awards, the depth of participation has far exceeded expectations. Our nominees come from both emerging and established voices, and from destinations across the continent. This collective response affirms a shared belief in the value of excellence and meaningful recognition, as well as a regional readiness to engage in dialogue about the future of the industry.

In addition to the official award categories, 2025 AHA introduced a special recognition: “Asia’s Finest Dinner Cruise”. Given the relatively underrepresented nature of this niche within the international awards circuit, and the growing significance of experiential, water-based hospitality across the region; this category was developed to spotlight exemplary operators in the dinner cruise sector and encourage broader recognition of its potential as a premium hospitality format in Asia. Rather than open call submissions, the selection was made through direct nomination by AHA’s expert council, based on a thorough independent review. Evaluation criteria included quality of facilities, culinary offerings, entertainment programming, guest experience, and scenic value of the cruise route.

After a 2-month evaluation process, 35 were selected as 2025 AHA official winners. The awarded projects stood out not only for their outstanding design and architectural finesse, but also for their creative approach to guest experience, blending service quality, curated storytelling, and deep cultural resonance. Many of the winning entries demonstrated a strong alignment between spatial design, brand identity, and destination context, resulting in experiences that are both emotionally compelling and operationally refined.

What makes this first edition particularly significant is its role as a mirror to a larger movement. These recognitions arrive at a time when the hospitality sector is becoming a key driver of cultural exchange, regional growth, economic revitalization, and tourism development. As Asia steps confidently into the spotlight, its distinctive approach to hospitality - rooted in warmth, precision, and storytelling - offers a compelling model for the world.

The 2025 Asia Hospitality Awards Winners’ Night will be held on July 25 at The Shilla Seoul, bringing together leading figures in hospitality design, development, and innovation from across the region. 

As we honour the winners of the 2025 Asia Hospitality Awards, we invite you to discover the stories behind each of these remarkable projects. Each represents a distinct perspective, a commitment to excellence, and a glimpse into the future of the global tourism landscape.

Meeting the First-Ever 2025 AHA Winners