…As Best Western Plus Hotel Yenagoa won Star of the South Best Luxury Hotel of the Year 2026
Organizers of the Stars of the South Hospitality Conference & Awards 2026 have unveiled the full list of winners for this year’s edition, set to hold on September 25th and 26th at the Golden Tulip Garden City Hotel, Port Harcourt.
The Stars of the South Hospitality Conference Awards Port Harcourt is themed, ‘Leadership Mastery in Hospitality: Developing Managerial Skills and Maintaining Operational Excellence – Strategies for Star Managers’.
The Awards themed “The Platinum Standard”, seek to recognize outstanding hotels, individuals, and hospitality facilities across the South-East and South regions of Nigeria for excellence in service quality, staff professionalism, and operational consistency.
Mr. Renn Offor, Chief Executive Officer of Stars of the South Hospitality Limited and convener of the awards, said winners were selected after nominations from industry professionals and members of the traveling public. This was followed by a 9-point evaluation covering cleanliness, facilities, technology, design, value for money, location, and guest ratings.
“These are properties where every guest interaction reflects warmth, competence, and pride,” Mr. Offor stated. “They turn hospitality into a craft and strengthen the platinum standard we are building across Southern Nigeria.”
Top individual honours went to veteran tourism advocate Chief Amachree and Ogeyi Place Hotel Port Harcourt’s General Manager Dr. Ebikaboere (Ebi) Seimodei.
Individuals and Recognitions
1. Chief Amachree — Winner Star of The South Award Legend of Tourism Award 2026. Recognized for decades of dedication to promoting Nigeria’s tourism assets and mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders across the South.
2. Dr. Ebikaboere Seimodei, GM, Ogeyi Place Hotel Port Harcourt — Winner Star of The South Award Hotel Man of the Year 2026. Honored for exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and raising service standards at Ogeyi Place.
3. Professor Judipat Nkiru Obiora — Winner Star of The South Award Champion of Capacity Building and Workforce Development in Hospitality in the South East and South 2026. Recognized for advancing professional training, mentorship, and workforce development across hospitality institutions in Southern Nigeria.
4. Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, University of Port Harcourt — Winner Star of The South Award Hospitality Training Institute of the Decade 2026. Honored for outstanding contribution to hospitality education, industry research, and producing graduates who have shaped service standards in the region.
Major Regional and Overall Awards
5. J’s Signature Hotel Port Harcourt emerged Star of the South Best Hotel Award 2026. The property also won Best Technology and Innovation and Best Luxury Hotel Rivers State 2026.
6. Golden Tulip Hotels Port Harcourt was named Star of the South Hotel of the Year. It also clinched Hotel of the Year 2026 Rivers State, Best City Hotel 2026, and Best Business Hotel 2026 Rivers State.
7. Best Western Plus Hotel at the Oxbow Lake, Yenagoa, Bayelsa won Star of the South Best Luxury Hotel of the Year 2026. It also took Best Location, Class and Value, and Best Guest Experience and Innovation.
8. Pearl Paradise Resort, Bonny Island, Rivers State was named Star of the South Best Resort and also won Best Resort 2026.
9. Townplace Hotel and Apartments by Toscana, Port Harcourt won Star of the South Best New Hotel Opening 2026. The property also received awards for Location, Class and Value, Best Use of Technology/AI in Hospitality, and Best Serviced Apartments 2026.
10. Galaxy La Palm Royal Resort, Port Harcourt was recognised for Star of the South Best Conference and Event Facilities.
11. Ogeyi Place Hotel Port Harcourt won Star of the South Best Business Hotel and People’s Choice / Legacy Hotel 2026 Rivers State.
State Winners
Rivers State
12. J’s Signature Hotel Port Harcourt won Star of The South Best Hotel Award 2026, Best Technology and Innovation, and Best Luxury Hotel Rivers State 2026.
13. Golden Tulip Hotels Port Harcourt won Star of The South Hotel of the Year, Hotel of the Year 2026 Rivers State, Best City Hotel 2026, and Best Business Hotel 2026 Rivers State.
14. Pearl Paradise Resort, Bonny Island won Star of The South Best Resort and Best Resort 2026.
15. Townplace Hotel and Apartments by Toscana, Port Harcourt won Star of The South Best New Hotel Opening, Location, Class and Value, Best Use of Technology/AI in Hospitality, and Best Serviced Apartments 2026.
16. Galaxy La Palm Royal Resort, Port Harcourt won Star of The South Best Conference and Event Facilities.
17. Ogeyi Place Hotel Port Harcourt won Star of The South Best Business Hotel and People’s Choice / Legacy Hotel 2026 Rivers State.
18. Villa Toscana Luxe Port Harcourt was named Best Boutique Hotel 2026.
19. Reens Suites and Apartments Port Harcourt won Best New Upcoming Boutique Hotel 2026.
20. JuliRose Hotel and Suites University of Port Harcourt Choba won the Star of The South Award for Best Hospitality Growth and Community Impact Hotel Rivers State 2026.
Delta State
21. Best Western Plus Elomaz Hotel Asaba won Best City Hotel 2026, Best Guest Experience, and Best Business Hotel Delta State.
22. Diamond Den Hotel and Suites was named Best New Hotel Delta State.
23. Protea Hotel Delta won Best Luxury Hotel Delta State.
24. Grande Candor Exclusive Hotel Warri was named Best Boutique Hotel Delta State.
Bayelsa State
25. Matho Crystal Hotel Yenagoa won Best Emerging Boutique Hotel Bayelsa State.
26. Ebiis Hotel Yenagoa won Best Budget Hotel Bayelsa 2026.
27. Aridolf Hotel Yenagoa was named Rising Star Hotel.
28. Brownwood Hotel Yenagoa won Best New Upcoming Hotel Bayelsa State 2026.
Edo State
29. Greyfield Hotel Benin City won Best Boutique Hotel Edo State.
30. Emiez Apartment and Hotel won Best Boutique Hotel Edo State.
31. Joker Hotel and Suites Benin City won Best Business Hotel Edo State.
32. Vertus Hotel and Suites Benin City won Best City Hotel Edo State.
33. Protea Hotel Benin City Select Emotan was named Hotel of the Year Edo State.
34. St. Regis Hotels and Resorts Benin City won Best Luxury Hotel Edo State.
Imo State
35. Gravity Hotel Ltd Owerri won Best Luxury Hotel Imo State 2026.
36. MCDons Sky Hotel and Resort Owerri won Best City Hotel Imo State.
37. Tripod By Pedestal Hotel Owerri won Best Hospitality Growth Initiative Imo State.
Anambra State
38. Golden Tulip by Crown Prince won Best New Hotel Opening Anambra State 2026.
39. Geneva Continental Hotel won Best City Hotel Anambra State 2026.
40. Max B Continental Hotels won Best Business Hotel Anambra State 2026.
41. San Antonio Blu Hotels Awka won Best Boutique Hotel Anambra State.
42. Golden Tulip Krypton Villa won Best Luxury Hotel Anambra State.
Abia State
43. Ibiza Hotel and Resorts Aba won Star of The South Award for Best Boutique Hospitality Experience Abia State 2026.
44. Panyu Hotel and Resort Aba won Star of The South Award for Most Innovative Hotel Concept 2026.
45. Ibom Waterfall Resort and Suites, Aba won Star of The South Award for Best Green, Sustainable Hotel Abia State 2026.
Enugu State
46. Carlton Swiss Grand Hotel Enugu won Star of the South Best Boutique Hotel South East and Best City Hotel in South East.
47. Wells Royale Hotel Enugu won Best Business Hotel Enugu State.
48. Andover Hotel Independence layout Enugu won Best City Hotel Enugu State.
49. Landmark Nike Lake Resort Enugu won Best Event/Conference Venue.
Cross River State
50. The Metropolitan Hotel Calabar won Best City Hotel South Nigeria 2026, Best Business Hotel Cross River State and Best Corporate Events Venue Cross River State.
51. Gemba Hotel and Resort Calabar won Best Boutique Hotel Cross River State and Best Guest Experience and Innovation.
52. Monty Suites Calabar won Best Serviced Apartments and Value for Money Cross River State 2026.
53. Obudu Centurion Hotel Calabar won Best Luxury Retreat Cross River State 2026.
54. Obudu Mountain Resort Obudu won Star of the South Best Tourist Destination Hotel 2026 Cross River State.
Akwa Ibom State
55. Monty Suites Uyo won Best Business Travel Hotel Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
56. Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State won Best Business Hotel in Akwa Ibom State.
