World’s Leading Event Venues Recognised at Prestigious Star Awards 2026 at Harrods
PRESS RELEASE
24th March 2026, LONDON, UK
PRESS RELEASE
World’s Leading Event Venues Recognised at Prestigious Star Awards 2026 at Harrods
24th March 2026
/London
/UK
SUMMARY
The winners of the Prestigious Star Awards 2026 were announced at Harrods, London, recognising 27 leading venues and event professionals from across the globe. Now in its fifteenth year, the awards reviewed over 2,000 venues and suppliers, with winners selected through client voting and expert evaluation. Highlights included the live ‘World’s Best Event’ vote, won by Cutty Sark, and a ballroom performance by champions Nataliia Siianko and Nikos Pallikarou, accompanied live by Urban Soul Orchestra.
Prestigious Star Awards 2026 Celebrates World’s Leading Event Venues at Harrods
London, UK - The Prestigious Star Awards 2026 took place on Friday 20 March at the iconic Georgian at Harrods, bringing together some of the world’s finest venues and event professionals for an evening of recognition, celebration and inspiration.
Held in partnership with Harrods, the ceremony honoured the very best venues from across the globe - each recognised for their ability to deliver exceptional event experiences. With over 2,000 venues reviewed annually and only around 2 percent achieving nomination status, the awards represent one of the highest distinctions in the events industry.
The evening welcomed an international audience of leading event bookers, hospitality professionals and industry figures, reflecting the global reach of the Prestigious Venues network, which spans more than 30 international markets and over 18,500 event bookers.
Winners were revealed across a range of categories, recognising venues that consistently go above and beyond to create extraordinary events. In addition to the winners, Highly Commended venues were also celebrated for their outstanding achievements and close competition at the highest level.
Set within one of the world’s most prestigious retail and hospitality destinations, the ceremony was elevated by a refined programme of hospitality, live entertainment and immersive experiences. A highlight of the evening was a spectacular ballroom performance by four-time Ukrainian National Champion Nataliia Siianko and current Solo British Champion Nikos Pallikarou. Set beneath the chandeliers of the Georgian Room at Harrods and accompanied live by Urban Soul Orchestra, it was one of the night’s most memorable moments.
The celebration continued with curated hospitality, networking and an afterparty at Funkybuddha, concluding an evening that reflected both the excellence and spirit of the global events community.
Speaking on the occasion, Habib Amir, Founder of Prestigious Venues, commented:
“The standard of a truly exceptional venue continues to rise, and this year’s winners set that global benchmark. From historic palaces to private islands, each delivers extraordinary events with consistency, precision and care.”
The Prestigious Star Awards continue to set the benchmark for excellence in the global events industry - recognising not just venues, but the people, passion and precision behind unforgettable experiences.
The 2026 Prestigious Star Awards Winners Are:
- Best Gala Dinner Venue
Winner: Banqueting House (UK)
Highly Commended: Claridge’s (UK) - Best Conference Venue
Winner: Forte Village Resort (Italy)
Highly Commended: The Grand Brighton (UK) - Best Meeting Venue
Winner: Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort (Spain)
Highly Commended: Penha Longa (Portugal) - Best Christmas Party Venue
Winner: The Dorchester (UK)
Highly Commended: Hôtel Royal Savoy Lausanne (Switzerland) - Best Private Dining Venue
Winner: Harrods (UK)
Highly Commended: InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hôtel (France) - Best Reception Venue
Winner: Schönbrunn Palace (Austria)
Highly Commended: Pine Cliffs Resort (Portugal) - Best Wedding Venue
Winner: Turnberry (Scotland)
Highly Commended: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa (Italy) - Best Summer Party Venue
Winner: Palacio Estoril (Portugal)
Highly Commended: 7Pines Resort Ibiza (Spain) - Best Birthday Party Venue
Winner: Royal Mansour Marrakech (Morocco)
Highly Commended: Raffles Singapore (Singapore) - Best Fashion Event Venue
Winner: One Great George Street (UK)
Highly Commended: Lujo Hotel Bodrum (Türkiye) - Best Networking Event Venue
Winner: Waldorf Astoria Versailles – Trianon Palace (France)
Highly Commended: Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel (Brazil) - Best Product Launch Venue
Winner: BAFTA 195 Piccadilly (UK)
Highly Commended: Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel (Italy) - Best Film Location Venue
Winner: Leeds Castle (UK)
Highly Commended: The St. Regis New York (USA) - Best Press Conference Venue
Winner: Raffles London at The OWO (UK)
Highly Commended: The Savoy (UK) - Best Corporate Incentive Venue
Winner: The Royal Myconian (Greece)
Highly Commended: Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort (Spain) - Best Training Venue
Winner: Shangri-La Paris (France)
Highly Commended: Fairmont Windsor Park (UK) - Best Buyout Venue
Winner: Necker Island (British Virgin Islands)
Highly Commended: SO/ Sotogrande (Spain) - Best Sporting Venue
Winner: Silverstone (UK)
Highly Commended: Gloria (Türkiye) - Best Golf Day Venue
Winner: Costa Navarino (Greece)
Highly Commended: The K Club (Ireland) - Best Venue in the UK
Winner: The Savoy (UK)
Highly Commended: Old Billingsgate (UK) - Best Venue in Italy
Winner: Borgo Egnazia (Italy)
Highly Commended: Forte Village (Italy) - Best Performing Venue
Winner: Cutty Sark (UK)
Highly Commended: Villa Pliniana (Italy) - Best Venue People
Winner: Maisie Cottell, The Grand Brighton (UK)
Highly Commended: Dyllan Schewitz, Gleneagles (Scotland) - Best Events People
Winner: Sam Johnson, Claridge’s (UK)
Highly Commended: Esther Nualart, Camiral, a Quinta do Lago Resort (Spain) - Most Prestigious Venue 2026
Winner: Gleneagles (Scotland)
Highly Commended: Raffles London at The OWO (UK - World’s Best Event
Winner: Cutty Sark (UK)
Highly Commended: Schönbrunn Palace (Austria) - Best Event Supplier
Winner: Urban Soul Orchestra
Highly Commended: Luminaire
Brief Facts
- ✶ Over 2,000 selected venues reviewed
- ✶ Upto 200 venues nominated worldwide
- ✶ 3 Finalists recognised in each category
- ✶ 27 winners and 27 highly commended
- ✶ Best performing venues ranked in Top 100 Venues
- ✶ 100 luxury venues, suppliers & clients attend the ceremony
- ✶ An insight into the world's best events
- ✶ Global representation across venues and suppliers
- ✶ A year-round programme of inspiration, recognition, and celebration
WHAT IT IS
Now in their 15th year, the Prestigious Star Awards celebrate outstanding performance among the world’s best venues and event suppliers.
HOW IT WORKS
Nominations are open from April to December every year. During the voting period in November and December, event bookers from across the globe are invited to cast their votes to determine the three finalists in each category. Once voting ends, a panel of Prestigious Venues ambassadors then vote for the winners based on their performance over the previous 12-month period.
Press Contact
- ⊙ Habib Amir, Interviews & Quotes: [email protected] / Tel +447795806840
- ⊙ Jessamie Dunton-Rose, Media Queries: [email protected] / Tel +4420 3397 8399
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About Prestigious Star Awards
We engage the foremost industry leaders to examine and promote excellence, to revive old-world values, to boost innovation, and to shape the future of premium hospitality.
The Prestigious Star Awards celebrate the quality, performance and reputation of the world’s best venues and suppliers qualified to host the most memorable events. As the only global luxury venue industry awards, every year the world’s leading venues and event suppliers are nominated. The program puts the nominees in front of the public, event bookers and Prestigious Venues ambassadors through online voting. The award of a ‘Prestigious Star’ is presented to one elected winner in each category at the awards evening that takes place at one of London's most prestigious venues every year. The Prestigious Star Awards are conducted by Prestigious Venues - the global venue platform enabling clients to benchmark and book distinguished event spaces across the world.
About
Prestigious Venues
Prestigious Venues is a global consortium of venues, helping event bookers find and book the very best locations for their events. The platform makes the venue booking process fast and simple. Its free service is trusted by national and international brands, as well as private event bookers. As dedicated venue experts, Prestigious Venues ensures clients get the best value for their budget while hosting distinguished events.