Hospitality Excellence Awards
Celebrating excellence in hospitality worldwide
The Spirit of the Hospitality Excellence Awards
The Hospitality Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding establishments across the world of hospitality in its broadest sense:
hotels, riads, bed & breakfasts, lodges, haciendas, characterful residences, and exceptional independent properties.
These awards are exclusively granted to independent establishments that receive the highest guest ratings within their region or country, based on reviews collected across the leading online review platforms.
We highlight only those places genuinely praised by their guests — for the quality of their welcome, the experience they offer, the attention to detail, and the emotion felt during the stay.
There is no application process, no entry fee, and no closed jury.
The jury is you.
It is the travelers themselves who, through authentic and consistent reviews, recognize and reward excellence.
Independence, Transparency and Integrity
The Hospitality Excellence Awards are built on a fundamental principle:
complete independence.
No financial contribution, entry fee, or paid application is required to be recognized.
Awards are granted exclusively on the basis of guest satisfaction, as reflected in reviews published across the leading online review platforms.
Winners do not pay to receive an award.
There is no star rating, no official classification, and no institutional ranking taken into account.
The only criterion is the genuine and consistent recognition expressed by guests.
In order to preserve this independence, the Hospitality Excellence Awards operate without any mandatory commercial model.
However, awarded establishments — as well as individuals or organizations who share our values — may, on a purely voluntary basis, choose to provide support through donations or contributions.
These contributions help to:
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sustain the mission of the Awards,
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enhance the visibility of recognized establishments,
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support communication and international promotion efforts.
Such contributions are entirely optional and have no influence whatsoever on the selection process, the attribution of an award, or its continuation.
Finally, as this distinction is driven by travelers themselves, guests may also recommend establishments they consider outstanding, contributing to the ongoing identification of future award recipients.
Excellence is not claimed. It is observed, shared, and recognized.
A Universal Vision of Hospitality
A Global Presence
The Hospitality Excellence Awards celebrate hospitality across all continents and cultures, embracing a truly global perspective shaped by diverse traditions and ways of welcoming guests.
No Boundaries, No Categories
Excellence is not defined by price, category, or format.
It can be found in a countryside inn, an independent hostel, a family guesthouse, a palace hotel, a remote lodge, or an exceptional residence.
All Forms of Hospitality
Our vision extends beyond traditional accommodation.
Excellence may also be recognized onboard a train, a boat, or any form of itinerant hospitality, wherever meaningful guest experiences are created.
Recognized by Guests
There are no official ratings, stars, or classifications.
The only criterion is the experience lived and genuinely recognized by guests, through their voices and reviews.
A Direct and Fair Connection
Supporting Independent Hospitality
A More Direct Relationship
Whenever possible, the Hospitality Excellence Awards encourage a direct connection between travelers and independent establishments, fostering a more transparent and meaningful relationship.
Freedom of Choice
By highlighting official websites and direct booking options, we support the freedom of both guests and hosts — allowing everyone to choose the booking path that best suits them.
Sustainable and Fair Hospitality
This approach helps preserve independence, reduce unnecessary intermediaries, and sustain long-term quality — while always respecting the diversity of booking habits and platforms.
Use of the Award & Visibility
Designed to be Shared, Earned, and Trusted
Each establishment recognized by the Hospitality Excellence Awards is free to display the official award badge on its own website and communication channels.
This badge represents the primary and decentralized expression of the award, allowing travelers to identify recognized establishments directly on their own platforms, without intermediaries or centralized listings.
A significant number of award-winning properties may also be featured on Charme & Caractère, an independent hospitality network founded in 2016, dedicated to highlighting inspiring places and encouraging direct connections between travelers and hosts.
However, inclusion on Charme & Caractère is neither automatic nor required to receive or retain an award.
The Hospitality Excellence Awards remain fully independent from any listing, membership, or commercial platform.
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Insights from the world of hospitality excellence
