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Tell us about your journey into hospitality and what led you to MANNA and Blue in Nijmegen. 

My path into hospitality came naturally. After secondary school, I walked into hotel school and knew immediately, without any doubt, that this was the course I was going to pursue. I have enjoyed every year since, the dynamics of leading a large team and the drive to ensure every guest leaves satisfied. My greatest pleasure lies in finding balance: a well-oiled team, happy guests, and strong results. Over the past ten years, I have had the privilege of working in some truly wonderful places, each with its own authentic character and its own set of challenges. And it is precisely those challenges that give me a sense of purpose. MANNA & Blue is a unique destination where warm hospitality meets the excitement and potential of two distinctive concepts. It is a hotel of real significance to the city of Nijmegen, and we are continuing to build on that reputation. 

How would you describe the identity of MANNA and Blue, and how do the two concepts complement each other? 

MANNA & Blue stands for hospitality, experience, expect the unexpected — and the age-old principle of putting experience before logistics. That identity does not always make things easy for us. Together with the entire team, we are building a business and creating moments that guests genuinely want to return for. And in today's market, that is far from a given. 

The two properties each have a world of their own. Hotel MANNA revolves around grandeur: ten generous suites and Restaurant MANNA, a world-inspired restaurant with a profound love for fish. Hotel Blue offers 31 city rooms and is a modern, calming retreat for anyone visiting Nijmegen. On the ground floor, Bar Blue opens this May, a place where the pace of the day slows down and guests can enjoy a carefully curated selection of cocktails, wines, and bites. 

Together, the two concepts offer the perfect opportunity to give a stay in Nijmegen meaning at different moments and in different ways. 

How would you describe the hotels in three words? 

Character – Warmth – Distinctive. 

What does great guest experience mean to you across two distinct properties? 

Guest experience is about authenticity, not scripted, not rehearsed, but genuinely felt. With our two concepts allow us to offer guests an experience that feels genuine from arrival to departure. 

Nijmegen has a unique character. How does the city influence your approach to hospitality? 

Nijmegen has a rich and vibrant gastronomic scene, which certainly adds to the overall experience we can offer our guests. Beyond that, Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands, and combined with its beautiful setting along the river Waal, it makes for a destination that is still somewhat underestimated, both within the Netherlands and in the wider region. 

As part of Quality Lodgings, what does being part of this collection mean to you and your hotels? 

Quality Lodgings is a carefully selected group of hotels that all share the same vision of hospitality. It is enormously valuable to be part of a network of hoteliers who share the same conviction: that hospitality is a craft that demands attention, courage, and character. Within Quality Lodgings, we find ourselves among hoteliers who consciously choose individuality over formula. That is something that inspires, challenges, and strengthens us. 

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities for independent hotels today? 

Margins are under pressure, that is nothing new. But standing out in a meaningful way is becoming increasingly difficult. Creating a strong brand has never been more accessible, but building lasting value takes patience, focus, and consistency. 

The opportunity lies in agility: you have the ability to build a team of true ambassadors of the organization. And as part of Q-Hospitality Group, we have an enormous wealth of knowledge at our disposal to navigate the future with confidence. 

Do you attend the Independent Hotel Show, and what value do you see in events like this for independent hoteliers? 

Absolutely. IHS is a place where networking and inspiration take centre stage, an excellent environment in which to prepare for what lies ahead. 

Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for MANNA and Blue? 

In the coming year, our focus is on ensuring that Bar Blue is firmly established as a recognized name within the city of Nijmegen. Beyond that, we will continue to invest in the further development of the suites at Hotel MANNA and in raising the profile of Restaurant MANNA beyond the region. The ambition is clear: MANNA & Blue should be recognized as one of the most distinctive hotel concepts in the Netherlands.