The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub and spa industry, is proud to announce this year’s winners of the PHTA International Awards of Excellence, sponsored by AQUA Magazine. PHTA’s International Awards of Excellence program is one of the largest, most well-renowned design competitions in the pool and hot tub industry.
Each year, hundreds of entries are submitted by pool, spa and hot tub professionals across the U.S. and the world. These distinguished winners are recognized for their exceptional installations of pools, spas, hot tubs, and water features that showcase the most beautiful, creative and innovative work in the industry.
“Year after year, I continue to be impressed by the quality and artistry that PHTA members display through these winning projects,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, president and CEO of PHTA. “Our winners have designed and built masterpieces that truly raise the bar and exemplify what our industry can accomplish. Congratulations to the 2026 International Awards of Excellence winners!”
The PHTA International Awards of Excellence competition is open to PHTA members who are pool, spa or hot tub builders as well as installers, designers, retailers or service companies that receive payment for the submitted project. The judging panel is comprised of industry professionals across building, design, service, operations and retail.
The winning entries are featured in the October 2026 issue of AQUA, and the winning companies will be honored during the PHTA Awards of Excellence Reception on November 16, 2026, at the Pool Spa Patio Expo in New Orleans, LA.
“The innovation and craftsmanship on display from the builders in this year’s PHTA International Awards of Excellence is incredible,” says Scott Webb, executive editor of AQUA. “These are the best of the best. It’s our pleasure and privilege to celebrate their work in AQUA Magazine.”
See below for the full list of 2026 PHTA International Award of Excellence Winners:
GOLD Winners
Vanishing Edge
A-1 Pool Service | Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Acuarium Piscinas & Spas (2) | San José, Costa Rica
Alka Pool Construction | Burnaby, British Columbia
AquaTerra Outdoors | Carrollton, Texas
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Cody Pools | Round Rock, Texas
Golden Sea Outdoors | St. Simons Island, Ga.
Harold Leidner Landscape Architects | Carrollton, Texas
J&M Pool Company | Senoia, Ga.
Mission Pools | Escondido, Calif.
Watershed Pools + Outdoor Living | Marietta, Ga.
Geometric
CPS Outdoors | Miami Beach, Fla.
Verde Outdoors | Roanoke, Texas
Freeform
Almar Jackson Pools | Jupiter, Fla.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Harold Leidner Landscape Architects | Carrollton, Texas
Morris Pools | Mesa, Ariz.
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Southern Pool Designs | Sanford, Fla.
Fiberglass Pools
River Pools Virginia | Warsaw, Va.
Sunset Fiberglass Pools | La Grange, Ky.
Vinyl-Lined Pools
Swimming Pool Services | Waukesha, Wis.
Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Mission Pools | Escondido, Calif.
Architectural Achievement
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Mission Pools | Escondido, Calif.
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Small Backyard Installation (less than 1500 sq. feet)
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Venture Custom Pools | Plano, Texas
Pool Renovations
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Fun Features
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Pools With Automatic Covers
Alka Pool Construction | Burnaby, British Columbia
Diffazur Piscines (2) | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Keowee Pools | Six Mile, S.C.
Commercial Pools
Aquaexpress Pools | Mission, Texas
Spas Built in Conjunction With Swimming Pools
California Pools & Landscape (2) | Chandler, Ariz.
Gohlke Pools | Denton, Texas
Keowee Pools | Six Mile, S.C.
Omni Pool Builders | Tucson, Ariz.
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Standalone Spas
Keowee Pools | Six Mile, S.C.
Water/Fire Features
Friends Tile & Stone | Huntersville, N.C.
Harold Leidner Landscape Architects | Carrollton, Texas
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
SILVER Winners
Vanishing Edge
Ashton Pools By Design | Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Cascade Custom Pools | Austin, Texas
Claffey Pools (2) | Southlake, Texas
Diffazur Piscines (2) | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Gohlke Pools | Denton, Texas
Harold Leidner Landscape Architects (2) | Carrollton, Texas
J&M Pool Company | Senoia, Ga.
Keowee Pools | Six Mile, S.C.
Land Tech Group of Virginia | Lynchburg, Va.
Omni Pool Builders | Tucson, Ariz.
Platinum Pools - A Cody Pools Company | Houston, Texas
Geometric
Alka Pool Construction | Burnaby, British Columbia
Cascade Custom Pools | Austin, Texas
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Keith Zars Pools (2) | San Antonio, Texas
Morris Pools | Mesa, Ariz.
Pool Environments (2) | Plano, Texas
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Supreme Pools and Spas | Spring, Texas
The Green Scene | Los Angeles, Calif.
Verde Outdoors | Roanoke, Texas
Freeform
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
High-Tech Pools | North Olmsted, Ohio
Pool Environments | Plano, Texas
Fiberglass Pools
River Pools Virginia | Warsaw, Va.
Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Landmark Aquatic | Houston, Texas
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Stainless Aquatics, A Division of Island Construction Corporation | Del Mar, Calif.
Architectural Achievement
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Carter Aquatics | Lewes, Del.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Small Backyard Installations (less than 1500 sq. ft.)
Venture Custom Pools | Plano, Texas
Pool Renovations
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Verde Outdoors | Roanoke, Texas
Pools With Automatic Covers
All American Custom Pools & Spas | Bridgeport, Conn.
High-Tech Pools | North Olmsted, Ohio
Commercial Pools
Aquatic Design Group | Carlsbad, Calif.
Counsilman-Hunsaker (2) | St. Louis, Mo.
Diffazur Piscines (2) | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
High-Tech Pools | North Olmsted, Ohio
Watercolor Pools | Temple, Texas
Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools
Artisan Pools NC | Kitty Hawk, N.C.
High-Tech Pools | North Olmsted, Ohio
Standalone Spas
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Fountain Blue Pools | West Palm Beach, Fla.
Water/Fire Features
The Green Scene | Los Angeles, Calif.
BRONZE Winners
Vanishing Edge
BlueCanyonPoolscape Concepts | White Oak, Texas
Ryan Hughes Design | Build | Tampa, Fla.
Spiro Custom Pools | Fort Myers, Fla.
Geometric
Almar Jackson Pools | Jupiter, Fla.
Cody Pools (2) | Round Rock, Texas
CPS Pools and Spas | Madison, Miss.
Gohlke Pools | Denton, Texas
Hauk Custom Pools | Celina, Texas
Oasis Pavers and Pools | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Platinum Pools - A Cody Pools Company | Houston, Texas
Pool Environments (2) | Plano, Texas
Riverbend Sandler Pools (2) | Plano, Texas
Venture Custom Pools | Plano, Texas
Watershed Pools + Outdoor Living (2) | Marietta, Ga.
Freeform
Keith Zars Pools | San Antonio, Texas
Larsen's Pool & Spa | Tampa, Fla.
Lehmann Pools & Spas | Mahwah, N.J.
Oasis Pavers and Pools | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Omni Pool Builders | Tucson, Ariz.
Supreme Pools and Spas | Spring, Texas
Watershed Pools + Outdoor Living | Marietta, Ga.
Fiberglass Pools
River Pools Virginia | Warsaw, Va.
Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Small Backyard Installations (less than 1500 sq. ft.)
Land Tech Group of Virginia | Lynchburg, Va.
Supreme Pools and Spas (2) | Spring, Texas
Pool Renovations
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Hucks Pool Company | Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Fun Features
Claffey Pools (2) | Southlake, Texas
Oak Wells Aquatics | Jacksonville, Fla.
Pools With Automatic Covers
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Cody Pools | Round Rock, Texas
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Omni Pool Builders | Tucson, Ariz.
Platinum Pools - A Cody Pools Company | Houston, Texas
Commercial Pools
Counsilman-Hunsaker (2) | St. Louis, Mo.
Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Hilltop Pools and Spas | Jonesboro, Ga.
J&M Pool Company | Senoia, Ga.
Land Tech Group of Virginia | Lynchburg, Va.
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida | Port Charlotte, Fla.
Standalone Spas
Land Tech Group of Virginia | Lynchburg, Va.
Mission Pools | Escondido, Calif.
Water/Fire Features
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Pool Environments | Plano, Texas
MERIT Winners
Vanishing Edge
Cody Pools | Round Rock, Texas
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
East Coast Pools & Spas | Ormond Beach, Fla.
Platinum Pools - A Cody Pools Company | Houston, Texas
Pool Environments | Plano, Texas
Supreme Pools and Spas | Spring, Texas
Texas Outdoor Oasis | Wylie, Texas
Geometric
AquaTerra Outdoors | Carrollton, Texas
Ashton Pools By Design | Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Backyard Oasis (2) | Tomball, Texas
BMR Pool & Patio | Lewisville, Texas
California Pools & Landscape (2) | Chandler, Ariz.
Connected Pools | Deerfield Beach, Fla.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Hauk Custom Pools | Celina, Texas
Heritage Pools | North Charleston, S.C.
High-Tech Pools | North Olmsted, Ohio
Hilltop Pools and Spas | Jonesboro, Ga.
Infinity Pools of Texas | Bulverde, Texas
J3 POOLS | Pearland, Texas
Keowee Pools | Six Mile, S.C.
Larsen's Pool & Spa | Tampa, Fla.
Platinum Pools - A Cody Pools Company (2) | Houston, Texas
Pool Environments | Plano, Texas
Richard's Total Backyard Solutions | Houston, Texas
Riverbend Sandler Pools | Plano, Texas
Texas Outdoor Oasis | Wylie, Texas
Third Coast Pools | Friendswood, Texas
Venture Custom Pools | Plano, Texas
Freeform
A-1 Pool Service | Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Coral Sea Pools | Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
Fiesta Pools and Spas | Tulsa, Okla.
Hilltop Pools and Spas | Jonesboro, Ga.
Icon Custom Pools | Manassas Park, Va.
Lake Norman Signature Pools & Patios | Mooresville, N.C.
Elevated Pool and/or Spa Structure
California Pools & Landscape (2) | Chandler, Ariz.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Architectural Achievement
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Oak Wells Aquatics | Jacksonville, Fla.
Small Backyard Installations (less than 1500 sq. ft.)
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Diffazur Piscines (2) | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
MiniPools | Bulverde, Texas
Mission Pools | Escondido, Calif.
Paragon Pools | Las Vegas, Nev.
Pulliam Pools | Fort Worth, Texas
Superior Pools of Southwest Florida | Port Charlotte, Fla.
Pool Renovations
Artisan Pools NC | Kitty Hawk, N.C.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Go Designs | El Paso, Texas
Fun Features
Cody Pools | Round Rock, Texas
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Pools With Automatic Covers
Ashton Pools By Design | Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Bi-State Pool | O'Fallon, Mo.
California Pools & Landscape | Chandler, Ariz.
Claffey Pools | Southlake, Texas
Concord Pools & Spas | Latham, N.Y.
Gary Thull Pools | Bellefonte, Pa.
Icon Custom Pools | Manassas Park, Va.
Commercial Pools
Counsilman-Hunsaker (3) | St. Louis, Mo.
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
East Coast Pools & Spas | Ormond Beach, Fla.
Landmark Aquatic (2) | Houston, Texas
Silverline Pools | Lenoir City, Tenn.
Spas Built in Conjunction with Swimming Pools
Diffazur Piscines | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Icon Custom Pools | Manassas Park, Va.
Standalone Spas
Pool Environments | Plano, Texas
Swim Spas
Diffazur Piscines (3) | Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Alpes-Maritimes
Watershed Pools + Outdoor Living | Marietta, Ga.
Portable Hot Tubs
Richard's Total Backyard Solutions | Houston, Texas
Water/Fire Features
Fountain Blue Pools | West Palm Beach, Fla.
Icon Custom Pools | Manassas Park, Va.
Photos of all Awards of Excellence winning entries can be found on the PHTA Awards of Excellence webpage.
For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Senior Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.
