The Association first launched the competition in 2013 with the aim of setting the outstanding hotels of the sector as role models for the industry and drawing guests' attention to hotels offering high-quality services. The jury evaluated the hotels not only from the point of view of their level of service but also examined the HR policy, the innovative developments, and the CSR activity presented in the application. The jury also examined the market performance of the applicants.

The members of this year's jury were Anita Juszkó, director of Four Points by Sheraton Kecskemét; Zsuzsanna Szerdi, director of Hotel Lycium Debrecen; Ferenc Schmidt, director of Crocus Gere Hotel, Villány; Tamás Fazekas, director of Anantara, New York Palace Hotel; and István Szauter, managing director of Frivex Consulting.

The winners of the Hotel of the Year 2023 competition are:

  • 5* category: Hilton Budapest

  • 4* "full service", countryside category: Thermal Hotel Visegrád

  • 4* "limited service" Budapest category: Hotel Vision Budapest

  • 3* countryside category: Elixír Medical Wellness Hotel, Mórahalom

  • 3* "limited service" Budapest category: Bo18 Hotel

The jury also awarded special prizes:

  • Hotel Divinus*****superior, Debrecen: Phoenix Award - for its successful renovation, renewal, and for increasing the quality of services.

  • Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa*****superior, Sárvár: Best HR policy Award - in response to the difficulties on the labor market, the hotel developed an exemplary HR policy with an outstanding motivation system and benefits packages.

  • Greenfield Hotel Golf&Spa, Bükfürdő: Outstanding market performance improvement Award

  • Wellness Hotel Katalin, Gyenesdiás: Innovation award – In response to the operational difficulties the hotel uses more self-developed software.

The Hilton Budapest, winner of the five-star category at the Hotel of the Year competition, hosted the gala offering guests a premium-level dinner experience with the Malatinszky, Riczu Tamás, Sauska, and Etyeki Kúria wineries, Erdinger beer, Zsoldos Pálinka Manufaktúra, and Zsolnay Gin contributing to the celebration during the evening.