Travel across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC has never felt more ambitious, imaginative, or world-leading.
From bold resorts to visionary restaurants and wellness destinations, the region is defining its own standard. Against that backdrop, the inaugural List Awards are designed to be the definitive guide to excellence across air travel, wellness, fine dining, and stays, as well as cultural milestones spanning art, film, and entertainment.
These awards stand apart: lived-in, debated, and rooted in the realities of hospitality here. Every finalist and winner has been experienced first-hand by our editorial team and jury members, whose insight and on-the ground knowledge ensure selections readers can trust.
Our choices are guided by clear criteria: proven excellence in the last 12 to 24 months, originality in product and experience at a luxury level, consistency even at the busiest times; and, above all, every name on the list holds clear relevance for Saudi travellers and our readership. Turn the page to where luxury is heading next.
Take a look at the Shortlist Nominees for The List Awards 2026, right here
Meet the Judges of The List Awards 2026
Hala Ayash
Chef Hala is a renowned culinary artist, TV presenter, and social media personality, celebrated for her innovative recipes, engaging cooking segments, and captivating travel adventures. She presented on MBC’s Morning Show, was first runner-up on Top Chef, and has collaborated with leading brands, including The Langham, Wynn, Kiehl’s, and Ninja, bringing her expertise to product launches, media campaigns, and culinary experiences. Through these partnerships, she continues to elevate Saudi Arabia’s food scene, celebrate its rich heritage, and connect with food lovers worldwide.
Becky Lucas
List’s launch editorial director and an SRMG Academy journalism course author, Becky was previously digital editor at Condé Nast Traveller, as well as British GQ (and Condé Nast Britain)’s first audience development editor, the first female editor of Time Out Dubai, launch editor of Time Out Style, and Time Out Tokyo’s inaugural print magazine, and assistant editor on New York Times bestseller Pick Me Up. She now advises and edits travel and lifestyle brands and startups, writes for titles including Telegraph Travel, Times Travel, and British Vogue, and is working on her first novel.
Donna Abdulaziz
Donna is a Saudi journalist and a former Wall Street Journal contributor, covering social and economic trends in the Kingdom for multiple global titles. Passionate about exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations across Saudi, she loves discovering the country’s diverse culture and nature with her rescue pup, Baloo. She now works on preserving heritage crafts in AlUla and empowering local artisans, while drawing on her background in communications built during years of study and work in Paris.
John O' Ceallaigh
John is a luxury travel editor, consultant, and writer. Formerly luxury travel editor at the Telegraph, he launched its luxury travel site and edited the award-winning Ultratravel magazine. His work now appears in Condé Nast Traveller, Travel + Leisure, the Times, Financial Times, Elite Traveler, and Wallpaper. He also founded consultancy agency LUTE: The Luxury Travel Edit, advising leading hotels, resorts, and tourist boards on brand and communications, and is now associate director of consultancy at PRCO Group, based between London and Dubai.
Saeed Azhar
Saeed is a hospitality and tourism leader with an MBA specialising in the industry. He is CEO of Ahway, founder of the NGO Humans Come First and the Joy of Youth volunteering group, plus co-founder of Saudi Tourism Memo. Saeed has taught at Saudi universities, served as a consultant for TDF and CSR initiatives across private and governmental sectors, and was the first winner of the Tourism Pioneers programme by the Ministry of Tourism. He is a member of the Tourism Committee of the Taif Chamber and continues to shape the sector through leadership, innovation, and social impact.
Sarah Khan
An award-winning travel and lifestyle journalist, Sarah has reported from seven continents for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and many other publications. While she has lived in six countries, her childhood in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been the source of some of her most foundational memories. She returned to the Gulf as editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveller Middle East and is now back in New York City, where she is a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveller and Robb Report.
Khalida Al-Sulaiman
Khalida is the founder of Badoughin, a micro bakery in Riyadh known for its heritageinspired desserts. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Boston, she built her career at renowned kitchens including Flour Bakery with Joanne Chang, Four Seasons Hotel Boston, and Paul in Jeddah. Named in Caterer Middle East’s Women in F&B Power List and shortlisted for Pastry Chef of the Year 2025, she has contributed to Marie Claire Arabia, been featured in DQ Living, Saudi Gazette, and Arab News, and highlighted on Saudi Arabia’s official Instagram as a #GameChanger.
Eoghan Corry
Eoghan is a career journalist whose work has taken him to seven continents and 130 countries. Originally a sports, and then a news journalist, he has specialised in travel and aviation since 2002. He is editor/publisher of Air & Travel and TRAVEL Extra magazines and a frequent commentator on television and radio in his native Ireland. A familiar sight as moderator of travel and aviation awards ceremonies in Ireland, he has spoken at WTM London, ITB in Berlin, and moderated conferences in Britain, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey.
Abdulaziz AlBalawi
If there is anyone who can curate an AlUla itinerary that avoids conventional to-dos and must-sees, it is Abdulaziz. The photographer, content creator, and filmmaker – better known by his Instagram handle, Aziz AlUla – is celebrated for capturing the beauty and storied landscapes of the region. A Sony ambassador and founder of Nabatean Studio, he brings a distinct visual perspective that transcends the predictable, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity locally and globally.
Rick Jordan
Edinburgh-born Rick is a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveller, where he spent two decades as a London-based editor and writer, bringing a critical eye to luxury hotels, spas, and destinations worldwide – from the Middle East to the English Cotswolds. He has travelled to Greenland, Spain, Croatia, Peru, and Uzbekistan, where he stepped out on the trail of the Silk Road, finding madrassas, minarets, and miniature paintings along the way.
Rakan Aloraifi
Rakan isn’t just cooking; he’s rewriting the story of Saudi cuisine. After honing his craft in California, he returned home with a vision that blends heritage with modern flair. As senior chef at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, he earned recognition as a Top Chef Middle East finalist and Best Saudi Chef. With Kitcatering and his AILYN by Rakan Aloraifi menu, Rakan transforms ancient flavours into strikingly modern dishes. A familiar face on regional TV and winner of multiple culinary awards, he champions sustainability, local farms, and ingredients that keep Saudi Arabia’s rich food traditions alive.
Maher AlNammary
Maher is a Saudi chef and author of Saudi Coffee: The Culture of Hospitality, published by Assouline. With a diverse range of culinary experiences, ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to luxury hotels, artisanal bakeries, and casual dining establishments, he has represented Saudi cuisine on global platforms, including the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, the 2025 Saudi National Day in Beijing, and Ahmed Matar’s exhibition in Shanghai. Maher is a food contributor for List and contributed to Sirha Arabia’s 2024-2025 food books, helping shape contemporary narratives around Saudi heritage and hospitality.
Matthew Broderick
With over two decades of experience in food writing and hospitality consultancy, Matthew has chronicled the evolution of the Middle East’s dining scene for international titles and regional platforms alike. A key opinion leader and occasional judge, he brings a unique perspective shaped by thousands of restaurant visits across Europe and the GCC. His witty writing blends critical insight with a deep appreciation for the craft of fine dining, with a preferred emphasis on what a restaurant does well.
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