SINGAPORE — The Smith Hotel Awards was started three years ago by boutique hotel website Mr and Mrs Smith to uncover the sexiest and sweetest stays.

And for this edition, Singapore-based judge Paul Semple has the enviable task of helping to decide the winner for the Best-Dressed Hotel category.

Given his being principal designer at hospitality design firm Hassell and the co-founder of Distillery, the design studio behind the award-winning Manhattan Bar and The Club Hotel, you could say Semple is pretty much the right man for the job.

“It’s my first time being one of the judges and I’m excited,” said Semple. “It’s an opportunity to contribute to the conversation of what makes good hotel design and a great hotel experience. People no longer want to be told where they should go or stay—they want curated information from a trusted source and I think The Smith Awards is that.”

Q: The nominees for the Best-Dressed category are impressive properties such as The Siam in Bangkok and Matakauri Lodge in New Zealand. How do you decide?

A: There’s a broad range of properties in the shortlist. It’s not just about luxury stays or middle-of-the-range hotels or rustic places. What these properties have in common is a world-class experience. I’d be looking less at style and more at what creates that experience.

Q: Do you have a favourite hotel that you find yourself going back to over and over again?

A: Personally, I like small-scale and unique hotels. There is one hotel in Sri Lanka I absolutely love and adore called Tintagel in Colombo, which I visit often. It’s such a beautiful property built by Shanth Fernando, a Sri Lankan who lived and worked in Australia. It has impeccable service and the food is simple but elegant. You feel elevated when you’re there. I’d also take a trip to Tintagel’s sister property, Villa Bentota, on the coast when I’m in Sri Lanka.

Q: What do you like about Colombo and what are some of your favourite places there?

A: I think downtown Colombo reminds me of what Singapore might have looked like in the past with its charming colonial feel. I like going to Gallery Cafe, which is under the same group by Fernando, the National Museum of Colombo, which is a beautiful Victorian era building with Sri Lankan antiquities, and the Old Colombo Dutch Hospital, which now has fantastic shops, bars and restaurants.

Q: As a designer, what’s your pet peeve when it comes to hotel design?

A: When a hotel room is not comfortable, when style is prioritised over comfort. As designers, we try our hardest to get it right and we know we can’t please everyone, but there should be enough shelves to lay out your toiletries or space for your luggage. The room should be comfortable and flexible enough for guests’ needs, like putting an extra bed or luggage rack. That’s the true mark of hospitality. SERENE LIM

The public can also vote for their choice online to win the £1,000 (S$2,150) Smith gift card, vouchers from Kiki de Montparnasse and a limited edition Ruark radio. Visit http://smithhotelawards.com for more details. Voting closes on Sept 30.