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SHLD Awards
2026
Submit Entries by
November 21, 2025
INTRODUCING:
Leadership in Hospitality Design: Where Innovation Meets Impact
Brought to you by AHLA and MindClick, SHLD is the only hotel design competition and awards celebrating design excellence with measurable sustainability impact
Presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and MindClick.
Recognizes hotel design - new construction and renovations - demonstrating measurable contributions to health and wellbeing of people and planet.
Honors A&D firms, brands, owners, and partners who drive real impact through design.
COMPETITION & AWARDS
Eligibility: Proven contribution to at least two of the following
Sustainable materials and healthy Interiors
Carbon emissions reduction (property and/or supply chain)
Circularity and Waste Reduction
Local sourcing and community impact
PROJECT TYPE
New construction or renovation. All tiers (Select Service, Full Service, Extended Stay, Resort, etc.)
Guest Room
Public Space
Guest Room + Public Space
KEY DATES
Entry period: September 17, 2025-November 21, 2025
Early Bird Submission Deadline: November 1, 2025
Finalists: ALIS DESIGN+ January 27, 2026, JW Marriott/Ritz Carlton Los Angeles L.A. Live
Final awards: Responsible Stay Summit March 4, 2026
The SHLD Awards - a breakthrough competition
Driven by Data
The SHLD Awards starts with verified contribution to health and wellness and sustainability.
Designed with Intention
Winners are chosen through a rigorous blend of MindClick’s Impact performance evaluation and expert review by an executive panel of design leaders—making SHLD not just an award, but a credential for sustainable hospitality leadership.
Informed by Industry
Founded in 2023 by MindClick with Marriott, Hilton, Highgate, and Hyatt, the Hospitality Sustainable Design Collaborative (HSDC) is transforming hotel design with sustainability at its core—advancing environmentally responsible and socially impactful practices across the industry.
AHLA & Responsible Stay
AHLA and MindClick Launch Second Annual SHLD Awards, the Industry Benchmark for Sustainable Hotel Design
AHLA
The American Hotel and Lodging Association is an industry trade group that represents the U.S. hospitality industry. Its members include hotel brands, owners, management companies, real estate investment trusts, independent hotels, bed and breakfasts, state hotel associations and industry partners and suppliers.
Responsible Stay
AHLA's Responsible Stay is a hotel-industry-wide initiative launched in 2022, focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation, and responsible sourcing to promote environmental and social responsibility in hotels.
The Pinnacle of Industry Recognition
Publicity for all EntrantsThe list of all qualified entrants, finalists and award winners will be shared with AHLA members and members of the MindClick network.
Include logos (ask AHLA)
Recognized at ALIS DESIGN+Finalists will be announced at ALIS DESIGN+ -- A Conference and Trade Fair affiliated with ALIS, the Americas Lodging and Investment Summit – connecting Hotel Architecture, Construction, and Design with Hotel Owners/Developers, Brands, Investors, and Asset Managers.
Awarded at Responsible Stay Summit
The Responsible Stay Summit - convenes hotel industry leaders and sustainability experts in a dialogue around what's next in the landscape of sustainability and the industry's journey.
2025 SHLD Award Winners & Recognition
Celebrating Sustainability and Innovation in Hospitality Design
January 30, 2025 – The hospitality industry reached an inspiring milestone today with the announcement of the winners of the inaugural Sustainable Hospitality Leadership in Design (SHLD) Awards. Held at the JW Marriott/Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, this groundbreaking event showcased the very best in sustainable design practices, celebrating projects that exemplify innovation, creativity, and a commitment to the health of our planet and communities.
Hosted by ALIS DESIGN+ and powered by MindClick’s Product Intelligence™ Impact Ratings, the SHLD Awards honored designs that prioritized energy efficiency, waste reduction, healthier materials, and contributions to local communities.
“The SHLD Awards highlight how visionary design, and sustainability can work hand in hand to transform the hospitality industry. These design teams exemplify the impact of thoughtful, sustainable product choices and innovative design on creating award-winning hotels,”
JoAnna Abrams
CEO of MindClick.
“We applaud the efforts of MindClick on the creation of the SHLD (Sustainable Hospitality Leadership in Design) Awards, the first of its kind award recognizing exceptional sustainable design in hospitality, and congratulate the winners on their remarkable accomplishments. We are proud to be a part of a meaningful change on sustainable design solutions for the betterment of our industry.”
Michelle Finn,
VP Design & Construction Products and Services, The BHN Group by Northstar.
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HYATT REGENCY IRVINE
Irvine, California
Mindclick Rating: 74/100
Category: Upscale – Guestroom
Design Firm: DLR Group
Purchasing: Rosemont
Owner/Operator: Hyatt Hotels -
MOXY VIRGINIA BEACH OCEANFRONT
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Mindclick Rating: 77/100
Category: Select Service – Guestroom + Public Space
Design Firm: Baskervill, Richmond
Purchasing: Contract Purchasing
Owner/Operator: Suburban Capital -
ROMER HELL’S KITCHEN NEIGHBORHOOD HOTEL
New York, New York
Mindclick Rating: 73/100
Category: Midscale – Guestroom + Public Space
Design Firm: Goodrich (PS) & Islyn Studio (GS), NYC
Purchasing: Parker International
Owner/Operator: Highgate Hotels -
THE TWIN FIN HOTEL
Waikiki, Hawaii
Mindclick Rating: 87/100
Category: Midscale – Guestroom
Design Firm: Next Design, Honolulu
Purchasing: Jim Motonaga Interior Purchasing
Owner/Operator: Highgate Hotels -
THE CLOVER AT OLIVE CROSSING
Olivette, Missouri
Mindclick Rating: 40/100
Category: Select Service – Public Space
Design Firm: HOK, NYC
Purchasing: Continua Interiors
Owner/Operator: Keeley Properties & Keat Properties -
ROMER HOUSE WAIKIKI
Honolulu, Hawaii
Mindclick Rating: 74/100
Category: Upscale – Guestroom + Public Space
Design Firm: Indidesign, Los Angeles
Purchasing: Summa
Owner/Operator: Highgate Hotels -
SOFITEL PHILADELPHIA AT RITTENHOUSE SQUARE
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mindclick Rating: 50/100
Category: Luxury – Public Space
Design Firm: //3877, Washington DC
Purchasing: Parker International
Owner/Operator: Clearview Capital