Gold Key Awards winners announced

The International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show (IHMRS) announced the winners of the 32^nd annual Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design this morning.  Nearly 200 projects in 23 countries were considered for the awards, which celebrate the design firms behind the most innovative hospitality properties completed or renovated within the past 18 months. The Gold Key Awards are sponsored by Hospitality Style magazine and HOTELS. magazines and coincide with the 97^th annual IHMRS, running through Tuesday, November 13 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

This year’s Gold Key Awards winners are:

Guest Room

Architropolis/ELK Collective (Portland, Oregon) for Dream Hotel South Beach (Miami Beach)

Guest Room – Midscale/Upscale

BBGM (New York City) for Melia Atlanta 

Lobby/Reception

One Plus Partnership Limited (Hong Kong) for Chongqing Mountain & City (Chongqing, China)

Lounge/Bar

Rockwell Group Europe (New York) for W Lounge at W Paris – Opera (Paris)

Restaurants – Casual Dining

Studio Arthur Casas (New York City) for Alma Maria (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Restaurants – Fine Dining

Bentel & Bentel Architects (Locust Valley, New York) for Le Bernardin (New York City)

Spa

Clodagh Design (New York City) for Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins (Tucson, Arizona)

Suite

CCD/Cheng Chung Design Ltd. (Hong Kong) for Lijiang Pullman Resort & Spa Hotel (China)

Best Hotel Design – Resort

Rottet Studio (Houston) for The St. Regis Aspen Resort (Aspen, Colorado)

Best Hotel Design – Boutique

Rockwell Group Europe (New York City) for W Paris – Opera 

Best Hotel Design – Midscale/Upscale

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Graven Images (Chicago) for Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel (Chicago)

Best Historic Renovation

HBA/Hirsch Bedner Associates (London) for Hotel Alfonso XIII (Seville, Spain)

Judges “So Cool” Recognition

Jordi Puig (Peru) for M/V Aria (Peru)

One Plus Partnership Limited (Hong Kong) for Aix Arome Café (Shenzhen, China)

Judges for the 2012 Gold Key Awards were Ed Bakos, principal, The Rockwell Group; Ted Brumleve, vice president of architecture and technical services, Virgin Hotels; Ron Kollar, chief design officer, Tishman; and George Scammell, vice president global design, Wyndham. Finalists were selected based on aesthetic appeal, practicality and functionality of design.

Also part of the ceremony was the 2012 Designer of the Year distinction, presented to Pierre-Yves Rochon, Paris. In addition, NEWH Inc., the Hospitality Industry Network, presented its 8^th annual Icon of Industry Award to Kohler Co. President and Chairman Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. A US$5,000 scholarship in Herbert’s name was awarded to Stacey Sefcik, a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design.