Minor Hotels Founder William E Heinecke Receives Lifetime Achievement Award as Anantara Takes Two Further Honours at 2026 ULTRAs
Minor Hotels is proud to announce its three honours from the 2026 Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (ULTRAs).
Key Highlights:
Minor Hotels Founder Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at 2026 ULTRAs
Minor Hotels received three major honours at the 2026 Ultimate Luxury Travel Related Awards (ULTRAs) held in London on 1 October 2026.
William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor International, was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the global hospitality industry.
Anantara Hotels & Resorts, the flagship luxury brand of Minor Hotels, was named Luxury Hotel Brand of the Year.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas won the award for Best New Hotel in the World.
About William E. Heinecke and Minor Hotels
Mr. Heinecke began his hospitality journey in 1978 with the opening of the Royal Garden Resort in Pattaya, Thailand.
From a single hotel, Minor Hotels has expanded into a global hospitality group with:
More than 640 properties
Operations across 67 countries
A portfolio of 12 hotel brands
The company's brands include:
Anantara
Elewana Collection
The Wolseley Hotels
Tivoli
Minor Reserve Collection
NH Collection
nhow
Avani
Colbert Collection
NH
Oaks
iStay
Anantara Celebrates 25 Years
The award comes in a milestone year as Anantara Hotels & Resorts celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026.
The brand's first property opened in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Anantara now operates more than 50 properties across:
Asia
The Indian Ocean
The Middle East
Africa
Europe
Expansion into Australia and the Americas is planned.
Best New Hotel in the World
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas is located in Thailand's Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi.
The resort is situated on Koh Yao Yai, one of Thailand's relatively unspoiled islands.
It features 148 suites, including:
Beachfront pool villas
Sea-view penthouses
Statement from William E. Heinecke
Commenting on the awards, Mr. Heinecke said Anantara has evolved from a single property in Hua Hin into a distinctive way of traveling characterized by authenticity, local connection, and genuine hospitality.
He described the Luxury Hotel Brand of the Year award as recognition of the teams that bring the Anantara experience to life across its global portfolio.
About the ULTRAs Awards
The 2026 ULTRAs were held at the Tower of London, including the Jewel House and White Tower.
The awards are organized by Ultratravel in partnership with Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) through the Ultratravel Collection joint venture.
Winners across 18 categories were selected through voting by:
Ultratravel magazine readers
GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme members
Notable Attendees
The ceremony was hosted by UK television presenters:
Natalie Pinkham
Gethin Jones
Guests included:
Actor Hugh Bonneville
Sky News presenter Sarah-Jane Mee
Rugby legends Simon Shaw, Alun Wyn Jones, Serge Betsen, and Andrew Mehrtens
Key Takeaway
William E. Heinecke received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anantara Hotels & Resorts was named Luxury Hotel Brand of the Year.
Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas was awarded Best New Hotel in the World.
The triple win underscores the growing global reputation of Minor Hotels and Anantara in the luxury hospitality sector.
