Serviced Apartment Awards 2016: A big thank you to all sponsors, partners entries, judges, winners and attendees.
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 journalists and media; travel buyers; hospitality investor and service providers around the globe.
To read the judge’s report and attendee list click here
To join the Twitter conversation about the event follow @ServAptNews and use #saawards
For the latest news from the serviced apartment, aparthotel, extended stay and short-term rental sectors click here
George Westwell, of Cheval Residences (left, receiving his award from Piers Brown, CEO of International Hospitality Media), 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.”
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
Darin Karp of ReloQuest (left, with Denis Sheehan of H&C News), 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.”
Best Use of Technology
Shortlisted:
Furnished Quarters – MyFQ
Zoku – the Zoku app
Winner: ReloQuest
Best Agent
No winner – Highly Commended
Select Apartments
Apartmentstay
Giovanni Valentini of Cycas Hospitality (left, receiving his award from George Sell, editor of Serviced Apartment News) 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.”
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
Best Apart-hotel
Shortlisted:
Majestic Arjaan by Rotana
Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul
Winner: Oakwood Premier Incheon
Pictured above: Debbie Lundon of Oakwood Worldwide (left) and Catherine McGavock of GBTA
Best Architecture/External Design
Shortlisted:
Miniloft Berlin
Yays Concierged Boutique Apartments Oostenburgergracht
Winner: Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach
Pictured above: Andrew Hunter of Adina (far right) receives the award from Margeet Papamichael of AECOM
Best Branded Residence
Shortlisted:
The Apartments by The Sloane Club
Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Winner: Cheval Three Quays
Pictured above: Dean Madge, GM of Cheval Three Quays (second right), receives the award from Terry Green of Katten Law (far right)
Best Extended Stay Hotel
Shortlisted:
Hala Arjaan by Rotana
Staybridge Suites London – Vauxhall
Winner: Majestic Arjaan by Rotana
Pictured above: Brenden Carlton of Rotana receives the award from Andrew Harrington of AHV Associates
Best Independent Operator
Fountain Court Apartments
Staycity
Winner: Cycas Hospitality
Pictured: John Wagner (centre) and Wayne Androliakos (right) receive the award from Kevin Swart of The Fine Bedding Company
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.”
Best Innovation/Disruption
Shortlisted:
The BridgeStreet and Airbnb partnership
StayPoints Guest Reward Program
Winner: Zoku
Pictured above: Bep Rubner, David Kjilstra and Veerle Donders of Zoku receive the award from Steve Proud of Citi
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.”
Best Interior Design
Shortlisted:
Adina Apartment Hotel Bondi Beach
Cheval Knightsbridge
Winner: Old Town Chambers Edinburgh
Pictured above: Gavin MacLennan (centre), GM of Old Town Chambers receives the award from Arlett Hoff of HVS (right)
Best International Operator
The Ascott Ltd
Oakwood Worldwide
Skyline
Staycity
Winner: Residence Inn by Marriott
Pictured above: Colin Richards of Marriott International receives the award from Mona Shah of Harry Specters
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
Pictured above: Peter Heule of Yays (left) receives the award from Debbie Hindle of Fourbgb
Best Sales/Account Management Team
Shortlisted:
Exchange Suites Management Team
Flexi-Lets
Winner: Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Pictured above: Stephen Fox (left) of The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences receives the award from Paul Revel of Buying Business Travel
Best Service Provider
Shortlisted:
GuestU
Sky
Winner: Guestline
Pictured above: Rupert Gutteridge of Guestline (left) and Mark Harris of Travel Intelligence Network.
Best Serviced Apartment
Shortlisted:
Arjaan by Rotana Dubai, Media City
Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh
Winner: Oakwood Premier Guangzhou
Pictured above: Debbie Lundon of Ascott Worldwide (left) receives the award from Gerard Nolan of Gerard Nolan & Partners
Best Short-Term Rental Platform/Operator
Shortlisted:
Oasis Collections
Veeve
Winner: CHBO
Pictured above: Piers Brown of International Hospitality Media (left) accepts the award on behalf of CHBO from Rebecca Hollants van Loocke of The Ascott Ltd
Best Use of Social/Media
Shortlisted:
The Ascott Ltd
Cheval Residences
Urban Stay
Winner: Apple Apartments Belfast
Pictured above: Mark Doherty and Chris Phillips of Apple Apartments Belfast receive the award from Chris Bown of Hotel Analyst
