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About the Hospitality Excellence Awards
A Recognition Born from Independent Hospitality
The Hospitality Excellence Awards were created from a simple and widely shared observation within the hospitality world.
While large hotel groups and iconic luxury establishments are often highlighted and awarded, a vast part of independent hospitality remains under the radar, small hotels, family-run houses, discreet places of character where excellence is practiced daily, without marketing budgets or international visibility.
Yet, these places often deliver some of the most authentic and meaningful guest experiences.
Beyond Rankings and Commercial Models
Most existing recognitions today are either:
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focused on luxury or iconic destinations,
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driven by commercial relationships,
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or derived from platforms whose economic model is based on commissions and transactions.
The Hospitality Excellence Awards were conceived differently.
They are not linked to any booking platform, do not generate commissions, do not sell visibility, and do not offer paid applications or subscriptions.
Their sole purpose is to observe, identify, and acknowledge excellence as experienced by guests, independently of commercial interests.
A Guest-Driven and Global Observation
Excellence is identified through the attentive analysis of guest feedback expressed across multiple platforms worldwide, over time and with perspective.
No applications.
No jury submissions.
No commercial conditions.
Recognition emerges naturally from what guests consistently express — in their words, their experiences, and their trust.
A Cooperative and Non-Profit Foundation
The Hospitality Excellence Awards are founded by Charme & Caractère, within a broader cooperative and non-profit ecosystem dedicated to independent hospitality.
Through its brands — Cosy Places, Cosy Places Luxe, Charme & Caractère, and Charme & Caractère Luxury — this ecosystem supports independent hotels while preserving their freedom, identity, and direct relationship with guests.
Its governance is ensured by a board composed exclusively of independent hoteliers, reflecting a shared commitment to hospitality rooted in authenticity, fairness, and long-term vision rather than commercial performance.
These brands operate without commercial requirements tied to the Awards; none influence the award outcomes, ensuring total independence.
Our Mission
To recognize independent hospitality for what it truly is:
a human craft, practiced daily, and revealed through genuine guest experience.
More about this cooperative approach and its founding principles can be found at
charme-caractere.org