On the occasion of an anniversary of the award, the "Hotel Property of the Year 2026" honour was bestowed upon three hotels for the first time this year. The awarded projects, the ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik in Linz, Austria, the Casa Cook Madonna di Campiglio in Italy, and the Hotel Schani City in Vienna, Austria, received the distinction at the 196+ forum specialist conference in Munich. This triple award highlights the diversity and innovative strength of the European hotel market, as noted by Andreas Martin, Chairman of the jury. Successful hotel projects today are characterised by individual solutions regarding location, target groups, and changed guest requirements.
The twelve-member, interdisciplinary jury selected ten nominees from five countries out of 24 applications from eleven European countries. Hotel developers, owners, and operators were eligible to apply with properties that opened between January 2025 and June 2026. Criteria for the jury's decision included a coherent overall concept encompassing architecture and design, integration into the project environment, sustainability, technical innovations, the originality of the concept, and economic viability.
Innovative Strength and Diversity in the Hospitality Industry
Thiemo Willms, jury member and Vice President Development DACH & Nordics at Accor, emphasised that this year's applications reflected the diversity and innovative strength of the European hotel industry. The spectrum ranged from leisure destinations in the Alps and Northern Europe to city hotels in metropolitan areas. Despite current hesitancy regarding new hotel constructions, numerous high-quality projects were submitted, with repurposing and conversion concepts gaining increasing importance. The selection of finalists was the result of intensive professional discussions and careful consideration of factors such as location quality, economic viability, innovation, and sustainability.
The Awarded Projects
The ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik is part of the new Quadrill Quarter on the historic, protected site of the Linz Tabakfabrik. The hotel tower, over 100 metres high with 189 rooms and suites and approximately 1,000 square metres of conference space, combines industrial heritage with modern high-rise architecture. A highlight is the Q27 on the 27th floor with a restaurant, bar, and 360-degree views over Linz. The interior incorporates exposed concrete, metal, and industrial elements, reflecting the history of the site.
The Casa Cook Madonna di Campiglio emerged from the former Hotel Milano and marks the first appearance of the Casa Cook brand in a winter sports resort. The existing building from the 1960s was revitalised and expanded by ten to 50 rooms. The design combines dark wood, mineral surfaces, and earth tones with restored furniture. The Hotel Schani City in Vienna-Leopoldstadt sees itself as an urban oasis of calm. It combines contemporary architecture, natural materials, and digital technologies with a distinct art and design concept. The digital guest journey complements personal contact. The hotel integrates the cultural history of Leopoldstadt, including through kosher-friendly rooms. It positions itself as a retreat for design and culture-loving city and business travellers.
- —ARCOTEL Tabakfabrik, Linz (Austria): Owner TF BOSTON GmbH, Operator ARCOTEL Hotels, Project Developer Bodner Bau, Architect Zechner & Zechner ZTGmbH, 189 rooms.
- —Casa Cook Madonna di Campiglio (Italy): Owner JPI Hotel Milano S.r.l., Operator Treasurests MdC S.r.l., Project Developer JPI Hospitality Advisory GmbH, Architect Architettura & Design, Studio Monazza Rolando, 50 rooms.
- —Hotel Schani City, Vienna (Austria): Owner KODESCH GmbH, Operator Hotel Schani City GmbH, Project Developer HOPPE+PARTNER ZT-GmbH, Architect HOPPE+PARTNER ZT-GmbH.
