Quality Lodgings grows to 134 hotels with its largest expansion ever in Austria

Six top Austrian hotels are joining an international group of independent quality hotels

Quality Lodgings is taking the next step in its international growth strategy with the addition of nine new hotels in Austria, Germany and Belgium. The collection is thus growing to 134 independent quality hotels across eight European countries. The expansion fits within Quality Lodgings' ambition to further position itself as a leading group of independent quality hotels in Europe.

While international hotel chains continue to grow and the pressure on independent hotels increases, a growing number of leading hoteliers are seeking the power of collaboration. They want to benefit from international visibility, knowledge sharing and commercial clout, without compromising their own identity. It is precisely this combination of independent entrepreneurship and collective strength that makes Quality Lodgings attractive to a growing number of distinctive hotels in Europe. The group currently numbers 134 hotels in eight countries, each of which has been carefully selected for its atmosphere, identity and craftsmanship.

Strategic breakthrough in Austria

The Austrian expansion with six new hotels marks a major milestone for Quality Lodgings. In one year, the group has quadrupled its presence in Austria from two to eight affiliated hotels. With this, Quality Lodgings is realising its largest expansion ever in the country and the network is strengthening its position within the German-speaking hotel market.

The new Austrian hotels share a strong distinctive identity, an uncompromising focus on quality and deeply rooted hospitality. For instance, the iconic Hotel Tennerhof – Kitzbühel's first five-star hotel – has been run by the Pasquali family for over 95 years. The high-altitude Hochfirst The Luxury Mountain Resort in Obergurgl boasts three Gault & Millau toques and a Falstaff score of 98/100. Among the new members are several award-winning hotels and gastronomic destinations that rank among the leading addresses in their region.

“Austria has a rich hotel culture and an exceptionally high level of quality. The fact that six leading hotels here are joining Quality Lodgings makes us particularly proud,” quotes Pauline Verhoef, Managing Director of Quality Lodgings. “It confirms that a growing number of independent hoteliers see the added value of a strong international network in which entrepreneurship and authenticity come together.”

Independent hotels are seeking new forms of cooperation

The growth of Quality Lodgings reflects a broader development within the European hotel market. Independent hotels are increasingly seeking collaboration in areas such as marketing, technology, knowledge sharing and commercial strength, without sacrificing their autonomy. Quality Lodgings responds to this with a network that combines international visibility with practical support in the fields of media and PR, direct bookings, strategic partnerships and collective benefits via QL Benefits.

“You don't distinguish yourself with the location, but with what you offer,” says Luigi Pasquali, the owner of Hotel Tennerhof. “Quality Lodgings is a network of like-minded hoteliers who understand that hospitality is a profession practised with passion and precision. That suits us, and that is precisely why we have taken this step.”

9 QL New Discoveries

Belgium

Hotel Cour Saint Georges – Ghent

Germany

• Villa Marburg im Park – Heigenbrücken
• Niemeyer’s Posthotel – Müden/Örtze

Austria

• Hotel Tennerhof – Kitzbühel
• Hochfirst The Luxury Mountain Resort – Obergurgl
• Die HOCHKÖNIGIN Mountain Resort – Maria Alm
• Defereggental Hotel & Resort – St. Veit im Defereggental
• Dolomitengolf Suites – Lavant
• Hotel Der Bär – Ellmau

All addresses can be found via qualitylodgings.com or in the annual QL Guide. Quality Lodgings was named Hotel Group of the Year by The European Hotel Awards.