Hofke van Bazel wins the very first QL Culinary Inspiration Award at the QL Gala Dinner

Boutique Hotel The Church named QL Hotel of the Year; new QL Magazine 2026 launched

At Quality Lodgings’ annual QL Gala Dinner, the Belgian restaurant Hofke van Bazel was presented with the very first QL Culinary Inspiration Award. The restaurant-hotel in Bazel, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, was praised by the jury for its distinctive gastronomic vision, centred on home-grown produce and seasonal cooking. In addition, Boutique Hotel The Church in Arnhem was named QL Hotel of the Year 2026. More than 150 hoteliers from the international collection gathered at Château St. Gerlach on Monday evening for an evening dedicated to gastronomy, hospitality and extraordinary hotel stories. The new QL Magazine 2026 was also launched, and nine new hotels were welcomed into the collection.

Hofke van Bazel wins the first QL Culinary Inspiration Award

During the gala, the Belgian restaurant Hofke van Bazel received the very first QL Culinary Inspiration Award, a new accolade within the Quality Lodgings collection that shines a spotlight on innovative culinary initiatives. The jury praised the consistent vision of owners Gina Miurin and Kris De Roy, in which home-grown vegetables, herbs and fruit have formed the basis of the cuisine for many years. With their ‘Gina’s Choice’ concept, Hofke van Bazel demonstrates how nature, terroir and gastronomy can enhance one another.

“It is truly special to receive this recognition in a year that is so important to us. For 30 years now, we have been working on the basis of the same conviction: cooking with respect for what nature provides us with,” said Gina Miuren and Kris de Roy. According to the jury, Hofke van Bazel is a place where gastronomy is not merely a trend, but a conviction with a distinct signature that permeates the entire dining experience.

Boutique Hotel The Church named QL Hotel of the Year

Boutique Hotel The Church in Arnhem has been named QL Hotel of the Year 2026. The jury praised the transformation of a former Lutheran church into a contemporary destination offering a compelling blend of gastronomy, design and hospitality. Janiek van den Broeck (28) and Bart Leussink (28) were also recognised for their vision and energy. As the proud owners of Boutique Hotel The Church, they give the hotel its character and direction, built on a clear, distinctive identity.

Young talent in the spotlight

During the gala, the QL College Next Gen Award was also presented to a new generation of hospitality talent. The 2026 winner is Luna Hoogenboom from ROC Mondriaan (New Mondrian Hotel). The prize includes, amongst other things, an exclusive day spent shadowing members of the Royal Family, accompanied by Court Marshal Sjoert Klein Schiphorst.

New QL Magazine featuring nine new discoveries

The first copy of QL Magazine 2026 was presented to Camille Oostwegel Sr., founder of Château St. Gerlach, during the gala. The magazine takes readers on a journey through exceptional hotels, inspiring hoteliers and culinary destinations across Europe. This year, nine new hotels are being introduced to the collection: Hotel Tennerhof, Hochfirst The Luxury Mountain Resort, Die HOCHKÖNIGIN Mountain Resort, Defereggental Hotel & Resort, Dolomitengolf Suites, Hotel Der Bär, Villa Marburg im Park, Niemeyers Posthotel and Hotel Cour Saint Georges. QL Magazine is available at all member hotels and via Quality Lodgings’ online gift shop.