THE MICHELIN STARS OF THE MEETINGS INDUSTRY
The award competition for the leading destinations, venues, hotels and individuals – the Meetings Star Award – has become a reference point and sort of Michelin star selection within the meetings industry. Winners for 2023 were announced in fifteen categories at the gala award ceremony on 21 February 2024.
WHICH ARE THE BEST SPA MEETING HOTELS?
Among 277 certified hotels from 19 New Europe countries, winners were announced in five categories (city, resort, spa, boutique hotels and congress centres). A dedicated category awarded the best Slovenian hotels and convention centres.
Each hotel can receive up to three stars in accordance with our criteria:
3 STARS⭐⭐⭐ – final score from 4.81 to 5.00
2 STARS⭐⭐ – final score from 4.61 to 4.80
1 STAR⭐ – final score from 4.41 to 4.6
In the category of spa meeting hotels, 27 certified hotels received the stars. The stars represent recognition for all recipients and prove their quality.
In our categorisation, spa meeting hotels are most unusual – not by chance. Our region boasts an astonishing number of such hotels. Spa hotels offer a diverse and authentic offering for meetings and events.
BEST SPA MEETING HOTELS IN 2023
WINNER: Aquahouse Hotel & Spa, Varna, Bulgaria, final score 4.91
Aquahouse Hotel & Spa is an appealing and elegant hotel whose creators and architects ensured the architecture will remain timeless. The minimalist interior is equally impressive and typical of modern design hotels. The hotel feels impressively inviting and, more importantly, guest-friendly and well-thought-out. The hotel can stand toe-to-toe with the best meeting hotels in our comparison. Its thermal spa offer is perhaps the best among all. In addition, the hotel’s conference offer makes it perfect for all types of events. We believe incentive events suit it best. The value for money is particularly impressive. Given the Ultra All Inclusive concept, the price is surprisingly affordable, although still high for Bulgarian standards. Guests seeking world-class quality for a reasonable price should put this hotel on the list for their next event. Aquahouse Hotel & Spa has filled the gap in the Bulgarian coastal meetings offer. Its game-changing design has earned it three Meeting Stars.
2. MOVENPICK RESORT AND SPA FRUŠKE TERME
We were most impressed by the ambition, vision and boldness of the resort’s owners, the Cicmil family. They created a superb resort with a design unparalleled in Serbia.
3. LOISIUM WINE & SPA HOTEL EHRENHAUSEN
Oenotourism is on the rise and at Loisium they have packed into an attractive package for meeting guests. If you wish to connect your conference with oenology, you have found the right place.
4. CASA DI FIORE SPA & MEDICAL HOTEL
Casa di Fiore Spa & Medical Hotel’s spa offer gives it added value. It is a hotel that belongs to a unique category and, as such, cannot cater to all event organisers.
5. HOTEL ARTE SPA & PARK
Any European incentive destination could do with a hotel like the Arte Spa & Park. We think it is an excellent choice for incentive programme organisers.
6. MARITIM HOTEL PARADISE BLUE
Hotel Maritim seems ideal for families while proving itself as a superb meeting hotel tailored to the needs of business guests. A complete package and the additional offer in the resort make for a winning combination.
7. WELNESS HOTEL SOTELIA
Hotel Sotelia was never hiding its ambitions to bring to the meetings industry a genuine wellness experience. In addition, the distinctive architectural design has many admirers.
8. HOTEL KRALLERHOF
Hotel Krallerhof stands for special devotion to detail, where true excellence in hotel business meets cordial hospitality. Guests will be inspired by their refined cuisine, which they craft with perfection.
9. RIMSKE TERME
With a special offer, exquisite cuisine and pleasing architecture, Rimske Terme is a serious competitor among regional spa thermal resorts.
9. TERME TUHELJ HOTEL WELL
Hoteliers from Podčetrtek have succeeded tremendously in reinventing their success story in Croatia. Terme Tuhelj is an ideal hotel for medium-sized events.
10. ENSANA HOTEL ESPLANADE
Hotel Esplanade is an excellent meeting hotel with an outstanding additional offer. The dimensions of the hotel complex with an enormous park are impressive.
We sincerely congratulate all the finalists in the category of best spa meeting hotels.
HOW DOES THE EVALUATION OF HOTELS TAKE PLACE?
The competition primarily showcases best-case examples favoured by event organisers and satisfied attendees, tailored to their needs.
The two-phased evaluation includes a self-evaluation by the hotel and an unannounced visit by the hidden congress guest. Our assessors evaluate a hotel based on clear criteria and present where the hotel can improve. The assessors are experts with a wealth of experience in the meetings industry with additional knowledge and experience from the hospitality industry.
Our evaluation matrix is named the Hidden Congress Guest evaluation, comprising 654 criteria. Each category is calculated based on the percentage of fulfilling criteria and the average grade, enabling the hotels to improve each segment and criteria. Find out more about the award competition here.
All certificate recipients can be found in Kongres Magazine’s venue and hotel finder FIND VENUES at https://kongres-magazine.eu/search-venues/. You can seek hotels according to the certificate or final mark.
