AHEAD Americas has revealed the top hotel F&B destinations in the region at its 2021 awards ceremony.
The 2021 edition of the Awards for Hospitality Experience & Design results recognised conceptual, aesthetic and functional breakthroughs across the Americas. The awards ceremony was broadcast virtually on 12 November and also shown at The Standard, High Line in New York.
Catbird, the Art Deco-style cocktail lounge at Thompson Dallas, was crowned the winner of the Bar, Club or Lounge category. Judges applauded designers Caroline Todd and Cindy Zelazny for the space’s “moody yet vibrant interiors” that nod to the building’s history as a First National Bank. Decorated with a unique collection of art and accessories – including a photograph of the real Wolf of Wall Street, Jordan Belfort, and a Russian nesting doll dressed in Coco Chanel – Catbird was described by one judge as “a visual delight”.
The Restaurant award was scooped up by The Peacock Mediterranean Grill, the ground-floor restaurant and lobby bar at Austin Proper in Texas. Envisioned by LA-based interior designer Kelly Wearstler, the 180-cover venue offers an Israeli and Turkish-inspired menu – developed by McGuire Moorman Hospitality – against a backdrop of hand-selected tiles and textured wall tapestries sourced from the coasts of Portugal. “You feel the concept in every aspect of the space,” the judges concluded.
One & Only Mandarina in Mexico was the big winner of the ceremony, taking home the awards for Landscaping & Outdoor Spaces, Resort, and the AHEAD Americas Hotel of the Year. Other big winners included The Goodtime Hotel in Miami, Camp Sarika by Amangiri in Utah, and Paradero Todos Santos in Baja California Sur. Tribeca-based design firm Yabu Pushelberg received this year’s Outstanding Contribution award.
“There’s no magic formula, but a winning project more often than not has a strong story and concept, a strong identity and point of view,” says AHEAD judge Anne Wilkinson, Principal at Bamo. “When those elements work together and it resonates with people, you have a winner.”
The winners, who took home bespoke trophies in hand-blown glass, designed and manufactured by Lasvit, will go on to compete against other regions. The worldwide champions will be crowned at the next AHEAD Global edition.
To see the full list of AHEAD Americas 2021 winners, check out www.aheadawards.com
