Quality Lodgings celebrates QL Gala Dinner

The European collection of independent quality hotels, Quality Lodgings (QL), hosted its annual QL Gala Dinner on Monday, June 23 – an exclusive evening where hoteliers, partners, and press relations gathered at La Butte aux Bois in Lanaken. Under the theme A Forest of Elegance, the evening was all about growth, connection, and characterful hospitality. 

A growing community of characterful hotels 

During her opening speech, Managing Director Pauline Verhoef emphasized QL’s ambition to strengthen its international community. “Now more than ever, connection is vital. And now more than ever, our guests long for the warm heart of a QL Hotelier. We are growing not only in numbers, but in connection. Tonight’s theme, A Forest of Elegance, brings this to life – an ode to the power of your hospitality: authentic, distinctive, and of exceptional quality,” said Verhoef. 

In the first half of this year, Quality Lodgings welcomed eleven new hotels to the collection, expanding to 127 hotels in eight countries. As a symbolic gesture, a tree will be planted for each QL Hotel this fall, in collaboration with Hotels for Trees. To mark the occasion, Pauline Verhoef presented a bonsai tree to Jochen Leën, owner of La Butte aux Bois.

QL Hotel of the Year 2025 – Rüssels Landhaus 

During the dinner, hosted by Bistrôt Le Ciel (13/20 Gault&Millau), the prestigious QL Hotel of the Year 2025 award was presented to the German Rüssels Landhaus. This award honors a hotel that distinguishes itself within the QL network through refined service, a characterful atmosphere, and a strong sense of community. 

The final winner was selected after a nomination round among fellow hoteliers, resulting in three finalists: De Nederlanden (NL), La Butte aux Bois (BE), and Rüssels Landhaus (DE). 

An independent jury, consisting of Sjoert Klein Schiphorst (Chief Usher of His Majesty the King), Hans Steenbergen (Food Inspiration), and Ron Nijhof (Home Partner SA), selected Rüssels Landhaus as the winner. The jury was guided by Sander Allegro, Chairman of Quality Lodgings and moderator of the evening. 

The jury especially praised the hotel’s consistent top-level hospitality, gastronomy, and guest experience. The authentic leadership of Harald Rüssel – a chef and hotelier through and through – was also highlighted, along with the hotel's commitment to sustainability in both the kitchen and overall operations. 

The award was presented by Duco Salomons, CEO of award sponsor Hotek Hospitality Group, to Harald and Ruth Rüssel, owners of Rüssels Landhaus. 

QL College Next Gen Award – Valerie Peeters (Teaching Hotel Maastricht)

For the first time, the QL College Next Gen Award was also presented. This new initiative aims to encourage young talent aligned with the Quality Lodgings vision – prioritizing heartfelt, small-scale hospitality over the mainstream, and passing this legacy on to the next generation. 

Following presentations by three finalists, Valerie Peeters of the Teaching Hotel in Maastricht was selected as the winner, based on a combined jury and audience vote. 

Launch of QL Magazine 

The summer evening concluded with the festive launch of the new QL Magazine, symbolically handed over to hostess Jessy Brepoels, General Manager of La Butte aux Bois. The magazine introduces eleven new QL Hotels, including four in the Netherlands: Boutique Hotel De Witte Dame, Boutiquehotel STAATS, Kasteel Steenenburg, and Landgoed Huis te Jaarsveld. The QL Magazine is published annually and available in the rooms of all affiliated hotels. It can also be ordered via the Quality Lodgings online gift shop. 

The evening ended with a celebratory toast in the garden of La Butte aux Bois, featuring an impressive champagne tower, poured in style by Harald Rüssel and Valerie Peeters – the grand final to a memorable night.