Presidency & Selection Committee

Presidency & Selection Committee 2026

Governance & Selection — European Hotel Awards

The Presidency and Selection Committee of the European Hotel Awards brings together a curated group of European personalities and senior professionals from the hospitality and gastronomy sectors.

Each year, this committee contributes to the identification and validation of a selection of candidates eligible for the European Hotel Awards. The recognition is based on independent editorial assessment, industry expertise and a long-term vision of excellence across the European hospitality landscape.

The European Hotel Awards do not operate as a competition. The selection process reflects a structured and thoughtful approach, guided by consistency, leadership, guest experience and the intrinsic identity of each property.

Michel Stalport
President of Chapter 2026

Michel Stalport is a senior international executive with a distinguished career spanning Hilton International EMEA, The Walt Disney Company and Radisson Hotel Group. Having held key leadership roles at both operational and executive levels, he brings a strategic vision shaped by decades of experience within the global hospitality industry.

He currently serves as Senior Advisor to Radisson Hotel Group and is widely regarded as a respected and influential figure within the European hotel sector.

The selection of the winners reflects thoughtful recognition of hotels and professionals whose commitment to excellence, guest experience and sustainability defines the industry at its highest level.

Jérôme Chapman
Founder & Executive Director

Jérôme Chapman is the Founder and Executive Director of the European Hotel Awards, an independent European recognition platform dedicated to leadership and excellence within the 4- and 5-star hospitality sector.

With an international background combining hospitality, media and public relations, he established the European Hotel Awards as a structured and credibility-driven framework, designed to highlight long-term performance, operational excellence and leadership across Europe.

As Executive Director, he defines and oversees the governance architecture and strategic direction of the programme, ensuring independence, institutional coherence and rigorous selection standards.

“The European Hotel Awards are founded on independence, discretion and rigorous selection standards. Recognition must reflect leadership, consistency and a sustained commitment to excellence.”

Thierry Lavalley
Honorary Member since 2018

A highly respected figure in the international hotel industry, Thierry Lavalley brings over four decades of experience in luxury hospitality. His career includes senior leadership positions within Swissôtel, Kempinski and Accor – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

Former President of the Société des Hôteliers de Genève, he is widely recognized for his contribution to the development and representation of the hotel industry at an international level.

“The European Hotel Awards represent a valuable initiative to highlight excellence within the hospitality industry. I fully support the institutional spirit and long-term vision of this programme.”

Other Honorary Members

Stefano Brancato
Honorary Member since 2023
Vice President – Honorary

Former general manager for 25 years of the famous and legendary Café de Paris in Monte-Carlo, Principality of Monaco, Stefano Brancato, of Italian nationality, is an expert in the F&B sector. At the head of the Café de Paris for a quarter of a century, with a team of 230 employees, in high season, and an average of 1,000 customers per day, Stefano Brancato has proven his high skills in this specific area. Recently, he was honored by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco with the title of: Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint Charles, the highest of Monegasque distinctions, ahead of the Order of Grimaldi.

“For me, the European Hotel Awards represent a great opportunity to honor the best employees who provide excellent services to customers, in the F&B departments of hotels. This employment sector really needs recognition.”

Miguel Maugi Santos
Honorary Member since 2024
Vice President – F&B Selection

Miguel Maugi Santos, a distinguished leader in the hospitality F&B sector, has proudly accepted the role of Vice-President of Selection for the Food and Beverage Manager of the Year at the European Hotel Awards. Possessing a profound academic foundation with Master’s degrees from the University of Lisbon and Budapest Business School, Miguel contributes unmatched expertise. Notably, his role as Corporate Director of Food and Beverage at Vila Galé Hotels, leading 28 hotels (36 restaurants and 42 bars) in Portugal and 10 in Brazil, has been exemplary, enhancing revenue, reducing costs, and improving customer satisfaction extensively. Miguel’s adeptness in F&B management shines through his innovative culinary strategies, effective team leadership, and market trend acumen. His involvement in the European Hotel Awards underscores his dedication to advancing the hospitality industry’s standards, signifying a promising outlook for F&B distinction in Europe.

“As Honorary Member of the Selection Committee at the European Hotel Awards, I am honored to contribute to excellence in F&B services, uniting passion and expertise to elevate our industry.”

Albert Rouwendal
Honorary Member since 2023

Albert Rouwendal, a Dutch national, is a leading international hospitality professional with years of experience and success under his belt. He was until recently Chief Operating Officer and General Manager for the Benelux region of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, based in Amsterdam. He also oversaw, as General Manager, Sunrise Kempinski and Yanqi Island Hotels with a team of 1,000 employees. In his career, he has held several management positions for renowned international luxury hotel groups, including IHG, Shangri-La, Hilton, Kempinski and Mövenpick in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Albert Rouwendal is an expert in the luxury hospitality sector.

“As Honorary Member of the European Hotel Awards, I am very honored to participate in the promotion of our peers in search of excellence.”

Romain Fornell
Honorary Member since 2019

Romain Fornell, a celebrated and masterful chef, holds the esteemed position of Permanent Honorary Member for Gastronomy on our Board. His remarkable expertise and discerning qualities play a pivotal role in the selection of chefs for hotels and hotel restaurants, as well as in determining the winners who best represent the essence of hotel gastronomy. As the Owner and CEO of ” Goût Rouge “, a distinguished group of restaurants based in Barcelona, Romain embarked on his culinary journey at the tender age of 15. His unwavering passion and dedication to the culinary arts earned him his first Michelin star at just 24. Subsequently, he relocated to Barcelona to helm the renowned restaurant Caelis, which continues to hold its Michelin Star under his exceptional leadership.

“I am deeply honored to serve as an advisor for the European Hotel Awards, overseeing the selection of Restaurants and Chefs across Europe. It is a true pleasure for me to spotlight the exceptional talents within the realm of gastronomy.”

Guillaume Gomez
Honorary Membersince 2018

Guillaume Gomez, former chef of the Presidency of the French Republic and president of the Chefs de la République. Since 2021, he has been appointed personal representative of the President of the Republic for gastronomy, food and the culinary arts.

“I accept with pleasure the permanent honorary member of the presentation of the “European Hotel Awards by References”. Paris, March 21, 2017.”

Michele Florentino
Honorary Member since 2023

Michele Florentino is a public speaker, writer and specialist in hospitality, gastronomy, wine and tourism. Michele Florentino is Knight of the Order of Grimaldi, Monegasque Medal of Merit, Knight Officer of Ordine della Stella d’Italia – the Order of the Star of Italy (2012), awarded by Mr. Giorgio Napolitano (President of the Italian Republic 2006–2015). Michele Florentino was also a member of the Board of the Association of Italian Hoteliers, Co-founder and Board Member of the AIS (Italian Association of Sommeliers), among many other institutional roles. A writer in oeno-gastronomy, he is the author of the bestseller Brevi storie di vino e donne, prefaced by Maria Rita Parsi and Arrigo Cipriani, owner of the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice, Italy.

“Very honored to be part of the Honorary Members of the European Hotel Awards, I am truly passionate about contributing to the promotion of the hotel and gastronomy industry in Europe.”

Governance & Role of the Selection Committee

All members of the Selection Committee (referred to as the Board) hold strictly honorary and non-executive roles. Their titles are honorary distinctions granted by the direction of the European Hotel Awards.

Their involvement is limited to the deliberation and selection process for the European Hotel Awards and does not extend to any operational, financial or legal responsibilities. Board members are not involved in the organisation, funding or legal management of the programme, nor in the entity overseeing the Awards. The composition of the Board may be reviewed and adjusted at any time in order to preserve independence, coherence and editorial integrity. All honorary members are bound by a strict duty of confidentiality regarding the selection process and annual deliberations.

For the full legal framework, please refer to our

Governance & Legal Safeguards