Hospitality Design magazine is honored to announce its 2026 Design Firm of the Year and Hotelier of the Year as part of the 22nd annual HD Awards program. This year’s recipients continue to elevate the industry by bringing new perspectives to hospitality with innovative and thought-provoking creations.
Design Firm of the Year: Curioso
The Curioso team (left) and founders Nina Grondin and Daniel Pierce (right)
The 2026 Design Firm of the Year is Curioso. Founded in 2013 by Nina Grondin and Daniel Pierce, Curioso has built a reputation for crafting hospitality experiences that linger long after checkout. What began as a two-person studio has grown into a 45-person collective of designers, architects, and brand strategists operating from Chicago and Mérida, Mexico. Balancing poetry with pragmatism, Curioso creates spaces that are as thoughtful as they are visually compelling. From intimate cocktail lounges to luxury resorts, each project unfolds as a layered narrative shaped by culture and context. Recent standouts, including Cleveland’s Fidelity Hotel and Populus Seattle, underscore the firm’s ability to create spaces that feel both transportive and timeless.
Hotelier of the Year: Grupo Habita
Rafael Micha, managing parter, Grupo Habita
Celebrating a remarkable 25-year journey, Grupo Habita—this year’s 2026 Hotelier of the Year—has been a defining voice for the boutique hospitality industry, shaping the way hotels are conceived and experienced from Mexico City to Chicago and beyond. Since opening its first property in 2000, the Mexico City-based collective—cofounded by Carlos Couturier and the Micha brothers of Jaime, Moises, and Rafael—has grown into a portfolio of design-forward destinations rooted in culture, craftsmanship, and community. From conversions like Condesa DF to coastal standouts such as Hotel Humano, Grupo Habita’s properties are canvases for local artisans, visionary architects, and emerging designers. With 17 hotels open to date, the hotel company’s commitment to authenticity and design excellence continues to inspire those around the world.
The 22nd annual HD Awards ceremony will be held on May 5th at Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas during HD Expo + Conference. (Register today!)
