Join hospitality professionals from across Southern California for an unforgettable evening celebrating excellence in the hotel industry at the 2026 Best of the Best Hotel Awards Gala. This prestigious event recognizes the outstanding hotels, leaders, and industry partners whose dedication, innovation, and service continue to elevate hospitality.
The HSMAI Best of the Best Awards honor exceptional leaders, innovators, and changemakers who demonstrate outstanding professionalism, vision, and commitment to excellence. We invite you to recognize those whose achievements have made a meaningful impact on their organizations, teams, guests, and the hospitality industry.
2026 Best of the Best Award Finalists
Join us as we recognize outstanding hospitality professionals, hotels, and industry partners across 10 award categories.
Individual & Leadership Awards
Revenue Leader of the Year
Tom Davidson
CIM Group
Brandon Huang
Stonebridge Companies
Yvette Moradians
Sandbourne Santa Monica
Jess Robinson
Rosewood Hotel Group
Sales Leader of the Year
Laurie Dew
Hotel Amarano Burbank-Hollywood
Anna Laurente
Portofino Hotel & Marina
Michael Morris
Fairmont Century Plaza
Erica Thorne
Sandbourne Santa Monica
Marketing Leader of the Year
Brian Boulden
Marriott Anaheim Suites
Amy Carter
HI USA
Craig Carbonniere
Milestone Inc
Libby Zarrahy
Hotel Amarano
Hospitality Rising Star of the Year
Shantel Arroyo
Candlewood Suites Anaheim
Windy Coria
Hotel Amarano
Aileen Hernandez
AC Hotel Irvine
Alexandra Zagorelskaya
Hyatt Place/Hyatt House
General Manager of the Year
Cory Christensen
Found Hotel Santa Monica
Dan Coleman
Disneyland Hotel
David Townsend
Hyatt House/Hyatt Place
Jefferson Garcia
Montrose at Beverly Hills
Kenan Tekin
Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection Hotels
Best Food and Beverage Professional
Pim Berkeley
Sonesta Redondo Beach
Christian Lozano
Regent Santa Monica Beach
Chef Rafael Perez
Hotel Amarano
Enrique Ramirez
Sandbourne Santa Monica
Erik Kim
AC Hotel Irvine
Hotel & Hospitality Awards
Hotel of the Year – Full Service
Hotel Amarano Burbank-Hollywood
Hotel Zessa Orange Co Airport - A DoubleTree by Hilton
Montrose at Beverly Hills
Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection
The Regent Santa Monica Beach
Hotel of the Year – Select Service
AC Hotel Irvine
E-Central DTLA Hotel
Homewood Suites Anaheim Garden Grove
Kawada Hotel
Hospitality Partner of the Year
Craig Carbonniere
Milestone Inc
Nabil Demissie
AAA Parking
Rose McCoppin
Elite Maids
Kassandra McLaren
Monty Reviews
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship opportunities provide valuable brand visibility before and during the event, exclusive networking opportunities, and recognition for your commitment to celebrating excellence in hospitality. Explore the available sponsorship levels to find the opportunity that's right for your organization.
.png)
.png)
