Turizmus Online, Hungary's leading tourism and hospitality industry publication, is pleased to announce the Klasszis TopDesign 2026 competition. Klasszis TopDesign is Hungary's premier professional design competition dedicated to the HoReCa industry, bringing together hotels, restaurants, cafés, bars, hospitality venues, architects, interior designers and design professionals. With its distinguished international jury and broad range of categories, it has become the country's most comprehensive and prestigious recognition of excellence in hospitality design.

For the 2026 edition, the professional jury has reviewed and refined the competition categories to better reflect current industry trends and innovations. In addition, for the first time, the competition is introducing two Central and Eastern European Special Awards, extending participation to outstanding hospitality venues and accommodation providers from across the CEE region.

Participation in the competition is subject to prior registration and payment of the applicable entry fee. 
Details and registration available here >>

Registration deadline: 30 September 2026

Submission deadline for complete application materials (written presentation, photographs and/or video, prepared in accordance with the Application Guide): 15 October 2026

Following the evaluation process, the jury will compile a shortlist of finalists in each category. Shortlisted entrants will be entitled to use the official "Nominee" logo. The category winners will be selected from among the shortlisted projects.

Klasszis TopDesign 2026 Awards Ceremony

• Planned date: 2 December 2026
• Venue: An exclusive hospitality venue in Budapest. The exact location will be announced at a later date.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are welcome from a wide range of hospitality businesses and design professionals based in Hungary*, including:

• Hospitality Venues
• Restaurants
• Cafés
• Bars
• Bistros
• Traditional Hungarian inns (csárda)
• Pubs
• Floating restaurants and hospitality boats
• Patisseries
• Hotel restaurants and food & beverage outlets
• Wineries

Accommodation Providers

• Hotels (independent or members of international hotel chains)
• Boutique hotels
• Urban and countryside wellness hotels
• Guesthouses
• Other accommodation providers

Applications are also welcome from: Architects, Interior designers, Design studios

Companies supplying products and services to the HoReCa industry that have contributed to the design or development of the submitted project. Applications may be submitted either by the owner or representative of the hospitality venue or accommodation provider, or by the project's architect or designer.

Unless otherwise specified, awards are presented to the hospitality venue or accommodation provider represented by the submitted project. Categories specifically dedicated to designers are judged separately.

Winning entrants may enter into a logo licensing agreement with the organiser, allowing both the venue and the designer to use the official Klasszis TopDesign award logo.

CEE Special Awards

*The two Central and Eastern European Special Awards are open exclusively to hospitality venues and accommodation providers located outside Hungary within the Central and Eastern European region.

A brand-new category is being introduced for wineries, wine producers and wine merchants, recognising outstanding wine label design. The jury will evaluate labels that enhance the identity and market value of both the wine and the winery through exceptional graphic design, originality and high-quality execution. This category will also feature a separate Public Choice Award. In addition, shortlisted entrants will have the opportunity to showcase their wines during the Awards Gala through a dedicated exhibition and tasting.

Entry Fees

• First category: HUF 64,900 + VAT
• Each additional category: HUF 54,900 + VAT

Early Bird Registration (valid until 31 August 2026)

• First category: HUF 54,900 + VAT
• Each additional category: HUF 44,900 + VAT

Please note: Early Bird rates apply only if the registration fee is paid by 31 August 2026.

Detailed Competition Guidelines & Application Guide →

Klasszis TopDesign is Hungary's only international-level competition dedicated exclusively to recognising excellence in design across the hospitality industry.

The competition evaluates every aspect of hospitality design—from architecture and interior design to furnishing concepts, innovative products, design solutions and even projects currently in development that demonstrate exceptional creativity and professional excellence.

Both completed projects and outstanding future concepts are welcome in the appropriate competition categories.

GASTRO

1: Featured Category of 2026: Klasszis TopDesign (Excellence) - Groudbreaking Culinary Destination of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign formabontó gasztro helyszíne 2026

We welcome applications from hospitality venues that dare to step beyond traditional boundaries and stand out through their unique concept, creative use of space or innovative guest experience. In this category, the jury evaluates projects where the design, gastronomic offering and the spirit of the venue come together to create a cohesive and distinctive experience that sets a new direction for the Hungarian hospitality industry.

2: Klasszis TopDesign - Iconic Culinary Destination of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign ikonikus gasztro helyszíne 2026

We are looking for hospitality venues that have become defining destinations through their distinctive architectural and interior design solutions, unique atmosphere and memorable guest experience. This category recognises venues that go beyond conventional expectations and trends, and that have the potential to become true icons of the Hungarian gastronomic scene through their identity, story or outstanding design.

3. Klasszis TopDesign - Best Ambience Culinary Destination of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign legjobb atmoszférájú gasztrohelye 2026

We welcome applications from hospitality venues where the design, lighting, furnishings, music and service together create a unique atmosphere that makes the guest experience truly memorable. When evaluating this category, the jury considers the overall impression, the character of the venue and the experience of spending time there to be just as important as outstanding aesthetic and design solutions.

4. Klasszis TopDesign Gastronomic Venue of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign gasztro helyszíne (zárt vendégtér, kerthelyiség) 2026

We welcome applications from hospitality venues that create a high-quality, cohesive and distinctive guest experience through the design of their indoor and/or outdoor spaces. The jury will evaluate the originality of the design concept, the functionality of the space, the quality of the solutions applied, and how harmoniously the venue integrates with its surroundings and reflects its own identity.

5. Klasszis TopDesign - (Open) Kitchen of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign konyha / látványkonyha 2026

In this category, the jury evaluates the design and layout of the kitchen serving the venue, taking into account the harmony between functionality, practicality, aesthetics and the working environment created for the staff. The involvement of executive chefs or kitchen managers during the planning process is considered an advantage. If their recommendations were incorporated into the project, applicants are encouraged to describe which suggestions were implemented.

6. Klasszis TopDesign - Cafe, Bar @ Patisserie of the Year vagy Best Social Venue of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign bárja/pub-ja, kávézója, cukrászdája 2026

We welcome applications from bars, pubs, cafés and patisseries that stand out in their category through a well-developed design concept, distinctive architectural and interior design solutions, and a unique atmosphere. The jury will evaluate how successfully the spatial design, functionality, guest experience and gastronomic offering form a harmonious whole, as well as how the venue's identity, atmosphere and distinctive offer contribute to creating a memorable experience that encourages guests to return.

7. Klasszis TopDesign - Gastronomic Venue Designer of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign gasztro tervezője 2026

We welcome applications from architects, interior designers, designers and design studios that have participated in the architectural, interior design or overall design concept of hospitality venues during the recent period. In addition to completed projects, this category also accepts projects that are currently under construction or still in the planning phase, provided they demonstrate outstanding professional standards and innovative design solutions.

8. Klasszis TopDesign Wine Label of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign Borcímkéje 2026

This category is open to wineries, wine estates and wine merchants that place particular emphasis on the visual presentation of their wines. The jury is looking for wine labels whose outstanding graphic design, original visual concept and high-quality execution strengthen the brand value of both the wine and the winery. The jury will also evaluate how effectively the label differentiates the product on the market, communicates the character of the wine and supports consumers in their purchasing decisions.

9. Klasszis TopDesign Gastro Venue of the Year 2026 - CEE Special Award
Az Év Klasszis TopDesign Gasztrohelye 2026 – Közép- és kelet-európai régiós különdíj

We welcome applications from hospitality venues across the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that stand out in their respective markets through outstanding architectural, interior design and overall design solutions, combined with a concept that delivers an exceptional guest experience. The jury will evaluate how successfully the design, functionality and guest experience form a cohesive whole, as well as how the project represents an international standard while responding sensitively to local cultural and architectural characteristics.

HOTEL

1. Featured Category of 2026: Klasszis TopDesign - Groudbreaking Accomodation of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign formabontó szálláshelye 2026

This category is open to accommodation providers that stand out from others in their category through a unique concept, creative use of space or distinctive service solutions. The jury will evaluate how successfully the realised design and the business concept complement one another, the value they create for guests, and the unique features that provide the accommodation with genuine appeal and a clear competitive advantage.

2. Klasszis TopDesign - Luxury Hotel of the Year 2026, Budapest
Az év Klasszis TopDesign fővárosi luxusszállodája 2026

We welcome applications from five-star luxury hotels in Budapest that distinguish themselves through outstanding interior design solutions, a unique design concept and spaces that create an exceptional guest experience. The jury will also evaluate how successfully the location, the property's characteristics, the target guest profile and the overall design concept complement one another, and how the design contributes to strengthening the hotel's identity and market position.

3. Klasszis TopDesign - Midscale Hotel of the Year 2026, Budapest
Az év Klasszis TopDesign fővárosi szállodája 2026, 3–4 csillagos kategória

We welcome applications from three- and four-star hotels in Budapest that stand out in their category through sophisticated and distinctive design solutions, a well-developed concept and spaces that enhance the guest experience. The jury will also consider how successfully the interior design, location, target guest profile and the hotel's unique identity work together, and how the design contributes to strengthening its market position and competitiveness.

4. Klasszis TopDesign - Boutique Hotel of the Year 2026, Budapest
Az év Klasszis TopDesign fővárosi butikhotele 2026

We welcome applications from boutique hotels in Budapest that stand out through their distinctive character, bespoke design concept and unique atmosphere. The jury will evaluate how the hotel's identity reflects its location, target guest profile and unique story, as well as how the interior design solutions create a memorable and distinctive guest experience.

5. Klasszis TopDesign - Luxury Hotel of the Year 2026, Country
Az év Klasszis TopDesign luxusszállodája 2026, vidék

We welcome applications from luxury hotels located outside Budapest that distinguish themselves through a unique design concept, outstanding interior design solutions and spaces that provide an exceptional guest experience. The jury will evaluate how successfully the hotel reflects its surroundings and location, how harmoniously the target guest profile and the architectural and interior design concept complement one another, and whether the design genuinely reinforces the property's unique identity and premium market position.

6. Klasszis TopDesign - Midscale Hotel of the Year 2026, Country
Az év Klasszis TopDesign szállodája 2026, 3–4 csillagos kategória, vidék

This category recognises three- and four-star hotels located outside Budapest that stand out in their category through a well-developed design concept, sophisticated spatial design and solutions that enhance the guest experience. The jury will evaluate how successfully the hotel's location, target guest profile and interior design concept complement one another, as well as the extent to which the design contributes to the property's unique identity and market success.

7. Klasszis TopDesign - Boutique Hotel of the Year 2026, Country
Az év Klasszis TopDesign hazai butikhotele 2026, vidék

We welcome applications from boutique hotels located outside Budapest that stand out through their distinctive character, creative design concept and unique atmosphere, bringing a fresh perspective to Hungary's accommodation sector. The jury will evaluate how the location, history and natural surroundings of the property are reflected in its design, and how the interior design solutions create a memorable, personal and distinctive guest experience.

8. Klasszis TopDesign - Best Ambience Accomodation of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign legjobb atmoszférájú szálláshelye 2026

We welcome applications from accommodation providers where the design, services and the story of the property come together to create a cohesive, memorable and distinctive guest experience. The jury will evaluate how successfully the property creates its own character and atmosphere, whether through unique spatial design, exceptional services, storytelling or the details that encourage guests to form an emotional connection with the property and return.

9. Klasszis TopDesign - Event Venue of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign rendezvényhelyszíne 2026

This category is open to event venues that stand out through high-quality design solutions, flexible use of space and facilities tailored to the needs of both guests and event organisers. The jury will evaluate how effectively the spatial design supports different types of events, which unique features distinguish the venue, and how successfully functionality, aesthetics and the guest experience are brought together.

10. Klasszis TopDesign - Sustainable Accomodation of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign fenntartható szálláshelye 2026

We welcome applications from accommodation providers that consciously embrace the principles of sustainability both in their operations and in their design concept. The jury will evaluate the specific solutions implemented to reduce the environmental impact of the property, including energy and water efficiency, waste management, recycling, the use of environmentally friendly materials, and the integration of a nature-conscious approach into the design of the spaces. Additional recognition will be given to projects where sustainability is not only an operational principle but also an integral part of both the design and the guest experience.

11. Klasszis TopDesign - Medical Spa / Wellness Hotel of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign gyógy- / wellness-szállodája 2026

We welcome applications from hotels that offer a unique spa and wellness experience and can demonstrate through their submission how their services, surroundings and atmosphere contribute to the physical and mental well-being of their guests. The jury will give additional consideration to the harmony between the range of services, the design of the spaces and the overall design concept, as well as to the extent to which the interior design contributes to creating a complete wellness experience.

12. Klasszis TopDesign - Hotel Refresh of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign designfrissítése 2026

This new category is intended for hotel projects that involve the partial renovation, functional redevelopment or aesthetic refresh of selected interior spaces rather than a complete reconstruction or the construction of an entirely new building. The focus of the category is on intelligent, design-driven modernisation that preserves the value of existing spaces. Applications are welcome from hotels that have recently renovated their lobby, reception area or public spaces, modernised part or all of their guest rooms, or renewed other interior areas such as corridors, executive lounges or meeting rooms.

13. Klasszis TopDesign - Smart Accomodation of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign okos szálláshelye 2026

This new category is open to accommodation providers, including hotels, apartments, guesthouses and holiday homes, that successfully integrate the latest digital and smart technologies into their interior design and guest experience. The jury is looking for projects where technology is not used for its own sake, but where digital solutions—such as automation, IoT devices and contactless systems—enhance design, sustainability and guest comfort. During the evaluation process, the international jury will focus on the integration of technology and design, assessing how seamlessly or aesthetically smart solutions have been incorporated into the property. The jury will also consider how well technological elements, such as displays, control panels, sensors and smart locks, harmonise with the overall interior design concept.

14. Klasszis TopDesign - Hotel Designer of the Year 2026
Az év Klasszis TopDesign hoteltervezője 2026

This prestigious professional award recognises not a single project, but the outstanding design achievements, creative vision and professional excellence of an individual designer or design studio in the hotel industry. The aim of the award is to recognise the designer or design team that has successfully shaped the identity of Hungarian or international accommodation projects by achieving the perfect balance between the latest design trends, functionality and aesthetics, while creating a lasting visual experience for guests. Applications or nominations are invited from professionals who have recently been responsible, as lead designers, co-designers or design studios, for one or more hotel projects of outstanding quality.

15. Klasszis TopDesign Accomodation of the Year 2026 - CEE Special Award
Az Év Klasszis TopDesign Szálláshelye 2026 – Közép- és kelet-európai régiós különdíj

We welcome applications from accommodation providers across the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that stand out in their respective markets through outstanding architectural, interior design and design solutions, combined with a concept that delivers an exceptional guest experience. The jury will evaluate how successfully the design, functionality and guest experience form a cohesive whole, as well as how the project represents an international standard while responding sensitively to local cultural and architectural characteristics.