The Independent Hotel of the Year Award is presented to a hotel that has made a significant contribution to the independent hotel sector. This award recognises a property that embodies independent spirit, excellence, and innovation in creating exceptional guest experiences, while consistently pushing the boundaries of what an independent hotel can achieve. Above all, the winner is an outstanding hotel committed to developing its team, ensuring the success of its establishment, and contributing to the advancement of the industry as a whole.

The shortlist has now been revealed.

Vote for your winner and join us at the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam to be the first to find out who won!

 


 

  

2026 Shortlist

Chateau de Vignee

Chateau de Vignee

Nestled on the banks of the River Lesse in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, Château de Vignée is a refined independent boutique hotel set within a beautifully restored 17th-century castle. With over 400 years of history, the estate has worn many hats, from a hunting lodge to a field hospital during the Second World War.

The château holds a special place in the heart of its current owner, who spent his childhood holidays here and later fell in love with the property. Guided by this personal connection, he meticulously restored the estate, preserving its historic charm while transforming it into a destination where heritage, contemporary elegance, and nature harmoniously meet.

The château holds a special place in the heart of its current owner, who spent his childhood holidays here and later fell in love with the property. Guided by this personal connection, he meticulously restored the estate, preserving its historic charm while transforming it into a destination where heritage, contemporary elegance, and nature harmoniously meet.

Today, Château de Vignée features 24 individually designed rooms, a serene wellness area, elegant private spaces for meetings and celebrations, and two gastronomic restaurants, including one Michelin-starred, that showcase the season’s finest ingredients and the rich terroir of the Ardennes.

It is a place where gastronomy, history, and nature converge, offering guests a truly memorable Ardennes experience and an invitation to slow down and reconnect with the beauty of the region.

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Hotel De Zeevaartschool

Hotel De Zeevaartschool

Hotel De Zeevaartschool is a stunning, seaside four-star hotel, located in the former maritime academy directly on the iconic Vlissingen boulevard. As one of the proud flagships within the Onilio | Original Hospitality portfolio, the hotel is not only a beautiful destination but also a true asset to the city, honoring its rich maritime heritage. 

Following years of careful redevelopment, this landmark building has been transformed into a modern hotel featuring 70 rooms. Throughout this process, the architectural heritage and the unique maritime character were preserved with the utmost care. What truly sets the hotel apart is its relentless commitment to providing every guest—whether a local, tourist, or business traveler—with undivided, personal attention. Not only is the team intensively trained in this approach, but the spatial layout and interior design are also fully tailored to support it. 

This exceptional level of quality has not gone unnoticed internationally. In 2025, Hotel De Zeevaartschool was crowned with the prestigious 'Heritage Design Hotel of the Year' award at the European Hotel Awards, as well as the highly coveted 'Best New Casual Hotel' prize at the Entree Awards. It serves as the ultimate recognition for a perfect symbiosis of local cultural heritage, high-quality design, and a contemporary, unforgettable guest experience. 

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De Plesman

De Plesman

An iconic hotel with a storied history, where the dunes meet the forest and the city meets the sea. Located in the historic former headquarters of the Dutch airline KLM, this building is rich in legacy. Founded by Albert Plesman, KLM's visionary founder, it was once the heart of his mission to connect the world and build mutual understanding.

Today this vision lives on in De Plesman by connecting guests, residents and visitors to the local community, to colleagues and clients, to friends and family, to art, history and culture, to our beautiful city, and to nature.

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The Ostendian

The Ostendian

The Ostendian is a tribute to the city of Ostend and everything it represents. As the first newly built hotel in more than 25 years, it plays a vital role in the transformation of the Sky District and sets a new benchmark for story-driven hospitality. With 114 rooms, including four unique themed suites, the hotel combines premium comfort with a strong emotional connection to place. Rather than following a standard hotel formula, The Ostendian was created as a full experience rooted in local identity, bringing together art, music, stories and joie de vivre in a way that feels authentic and warm. From naming and tone of voice to guest journey and interior concept, every layer of the brand was carefully developed to celebrate the spirit of Ostend. The hotel was launched with the “Ostendians” campaign, a tribute to local personalities whose stories shaped both the city and the hotel’s identity, and whose presence can be felt throughout the design and artworks. The Ostendian contributes to the city’s urban renewal while remaining proudly independent in spirit. It is not just a hotel in Ostend, but a hotel for Ostend, offering guests the chance to feel part of the city’s story.

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Mooirivier Hotel & Congres

Mooirivier Hotel & Congres

Hotel Mooirivier feels shaped by the people behind it. Not by a formula.  

During my stay, I noticed a shared calm and consistency in how things are done. Service feels natural and personal, not scripted. Staff take ownership, make decisions easily and interact with guests with genuine warmth. 

The hotel doesn't try to impress or over-explain itself. Choices feel deliberate, from the atmosphere to the small details, and that confidence reflects the long-term involvement of the owner and team. 

That quiet consistency is the clearest signature of the people who run this place. 

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