Considered one of the most anticipated awards in the European hotel industry calendar, the European Hotel Awards are recognized as the leading hospitality accolades, acknowledging the top notch in hospitality experiences across Europe. The landmarks of the European Hotels Awards are based on individual or collective human qualities, confirmed professionalism and great respect from guests.
The annual European Hotel Awards are presented by Références Hoteliers Restaurateurs International magazine, which covers the hottest topics and trends pertaining to the premium segment in the European hotel and restaurant sectors for nearly a quarter of a century. Spiritus movens and founder of the European Hotel Awards Foundation is Mr. Jerome Chapman, French journalist and media personality. The permanent honorary president of the European Hotel Awards trophies is Mr. Guillaume Gomez, former head Chef of the Cuisine at of the Elysée Palace’s kitchen in Paris and Gastronomy Ambassador of the chefs of the French Republic.
The selection committee, made up of European personalities, hospitality and gastronomy professionals, validates a list of potential candidates eligible for the European Hotel Awards. In 2022 eleven distinctions were awarded. These awards are not based on a competition or contest, but are an institutional distinction to honour the qualities of exceptional hotels and leading European professionals.
The European Hotel Awards Ceremony and Event was held on 10 October 2022 at Fairmont Grand Hotel in Geneva, Switzerland. Pawel Lewtak, General Manager of Polonia Palace Hotel, proudly collected the « Heritage Hotel of the Year 2022 Award » on stage.
Pawel Lewtak: “It goes without saying that tonight’s recognition marks another climax moment in the history of Polonia Palace Hotel. On behalf of the entire hotel team and owners, I would like to express my gratitude to the Jury Academy of the European Hotel Awards for this great honour – especially amongst such distinguished hospitality professionals, Members of the European Parliament as well as representatives of diplomacy. Polonia Palace Hotel is a true icon of the Polish hotel industry turning 109 years in 2022.
The Award for the Historic Hotel of the Year is a true recognition not only for all the employees who have the pleasure of working in Polonia Palace Hotel now, but also for generations of hoteliers who had built its reputation and prestige in the past decades. The heritage of our predecessors is still alive and cultivated in the living memory of all the hotel team members. It is safe to say that the history of the hotel is our reference point, which gives us strength and confidence in carrying out daily duties.
In my humble opinion, success of each great hotel is not only about exquisite interior design and comfort, but above all, it is about the ability to listen to the unspoken needs of hotel guests. It is thanks to our attitude, kindness and unconditional commitment to service excellence that Polonia Palace Hotel enjoys the position of a landmark hotel in Warsaw.
A visit to every great hotel should give guests excitement and pleasure. When guests decide to come back to the hotel for the next time, it is because the hotel experience was able to evoke unforgettable memories, which would often stay within them for the rest of their life. One may say that these thrilling emotions are second to none, comparable only with the time when you reach for your beloved book or revisit your favourite movie.
The « Heritage Hotel of the Year 2022 Award » resonates to a large extent with our vision and mission statements. This is how our employees embrace hospitality – with a strong sense of continuity coming from our DNA.
And last but not least, on a personal note, as the hotel general manager, I think of myself as I am the torchbearer of the hospitality flame which is passed from generation to generation of the successive managers who build this wonderful hotel success story; and we’re talking about a rich history here.”
