Surface Travel Awards: Categories

Surface Travel Awards will be bestowed in the following categories:

Small hotel (1-100 rooms). Overall design and architecture for hotels, inns, B&Bs, and similar enterprises with 100 rooms or fewer. Major refurbishments will be considered.

Large hotel (101+ rooms). Overall design and architecture for hotels, inns, B&Bs, and similar enterprises with more than 100 rooms. Major refurbishments will be considered.

Resort. Overall design and architecture for self-contained resorts, offering a broader range of activities and facilities than hotels. Major refurbishments will be considered.

Spa. Overall design and architecture for destination spas, day spas, and spas that are part of a hotel, resort, or cruise ship.

Cruise ship or yacht. Overall design and architecture for a commercial cruise ship or yacht available for charter or private booking.

Retail space. Overall design and architecture for a commercial space devoted to retail sales.

Restaurant. Overall design and architecture for a commercial space devoted to food service. The restaurant may be part of a hotel or resort.

Bar. Overall design and architecture for a commercial bar or nightlife space, including nightclubs and lounges. The space may be part of a hotel or resort.

Pop-up space. Overall design and architecture for a space created for temporary use, whether retail, food service, arts/cultural or other application.

Car or motorcycle. Overall design for a vehicle (car, motorcycle, etc.) designed for personal use.

Aviation. Airport architecture and interior design for commercial airline cabins and airport lounges.

Public transportation. Overall design and/or architecture for public spaces devoted to transportation other than airports (e.g., train or metro stations, seaports), conveyances (e.g. trains), or public conveniences (e.g. bike-sharing programs).

City/destination. Cities, towns, or regions whose embrace of design and built environments have benefited both residents and visitors. The entry must include specific improvements realized during the eligibility period (January 1, 2016–May 15, 2017). Master plans and unrealized developments will not be considered.

Park or public space. Overall design and architecture (including landscape architecture) for a park, purpose-built district, or other environment intended for public use.

Cultural institution. Design and architecture for museums, performance spaces, galleries, libraries, religious structures, monuments, memorials, and similar projects. New extensions or expansions of existing structures will be considered.

Luggage/travel bag. Overall design and functionality for products designed for travelers to carry personal belongings, whether intended as checked, carry-on, or hand baggage.

Travel product/gadget. Overall design for electronic or other products intended for use by travelers. This category includes cameras, watches, phones, converters, outdoor gear, etc.

Headphones. Overall design and functionality for headphones, earbuds, or similar devices intended to be used by travelers.

Travel beauty product. Overall design and functionality for cosmetics and other beauty, health, and wellness products intended to be used by travelers.

Instagram account (Brand). Overall curation and aesthetic for an Instagram account held by a travel-related brand (hotel, cruise line, destination, airline, etc.). The entry should be for posts dated January 2016–May 2017, even if the account itself was established earlier.

Instagram account (Individual). Overall curation and aesthetic for a travel- and design-focused Instagram account held by an influencer or other individual. The entry should be for posts dated January 2016–May 2017, even if the account itself was established earlier.

Travel website or app. Overall design and user experience for a travel-related website or smartphone app.

Branding/graphics. Branding and/or graphic design created for a travel-related brand.

Travel Designer of the Year. The firm or individual with the most profound impact on the travel industry in 2016-17.

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