India, July 7 -- The 2026 GHA Awards celebrated excellence across the Global Hotel Alliance's portfolio, with winners announced during the alliance's first-ever CEO conference held at sea aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Splendor on 5 July 2026.
Major Winners
- Best Brand Performance Award: Wharf Hotels (for outstanding overall performance in GHA DISCOVERY).
- Runners-up: Kempinski Hotels and Outrigger Resorts & Hotels.
- Hotel of the Year: Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas (top-performing hotel based on member room nights).
- Best New Hotel: Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne.
- Best Cross-Brand Contribution: Cheval Collection.
- Best Member Recognition: Wharf Hotels (second award of the evening).
Innovation & Engagement
- Web & App Hotel of the Year: Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A PARKROYAL Hotel (Tokyo).
- Marketing Excellence: JA Resorts & Hotels.
- Best Enrolment Performance: Minor Hotels.
- Best Use of Technology: Rotana Hotels & Resorts.
Brand-Level Recognition
- Most Improved Brand Performance: The Doyle Collection.
- Best New Brand Performance: SAii Hotels & Resorts.
Sustainability & Luxury
- Green Collection Exceptional Engagement: PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore.
- Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the Year: Capella Bangkok.
Long-Standing Members Honoured
- 20 years: The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts; Marco Polo Hotels.
- 15 years: Lungarno Collection; Shaza Hotels.
- 10 years: Outrigger Resorts & Hotels.
Keynote Highlight
French freediving world champion Arthur Guerin-Boeri delivered a keynote on discipline, resilience, and peak performance-drawing parallels between elite sport and hospitality leadership.
This year's awards not only spotlighted operational excellence and guest satisfaction, but also emphasized innovation, sustainability, and cross-brand collaboration, reinforcing GHA's role as the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Travel Media.