HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE The original concept for forming a Federation with associations representing historic hotels, castles, manors and restaurants within Europe was the brainchild of the Châteaux & Hôtels de France (today Châteaux & Hôtels Collection) and the Schlosshotels & Herrenhäuser of Austria. The idea was to promote national cultural traditions, historic heritage and architecture under one umbrella. The Federation was born in November 1997 regrouping at its beginning 8 associations in different countries promoting a more ‘cultural and historic’ style of holiday. The first formal meeting of the European Federation of Traditional Accommodation and Historic Houses was held in Cadiz in Spain and hosted by the Estancias de España. Since this first general meeting, General Assemblies are held twice a year and the Board of directors meet whenever it is necessary for the development of the Federation. The meetings take place all over Europe always hosted by one of the members associations. To increase the impact of promotion measures, the Federation has been re-named to the shorter and powerful name of HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE (HHE). Its membership has been extended to include in 2010 20 associations in 22 countries and several other associations have applied to join the HHE, both evolutions reflecting the increasing international recognition. The HHE with its network encompasses approx. 700 properties, making it one of the largest marketing bodies of its kind within Europe. Each property reflects a diversity in style giving the guest a unique experience and a flavour of their country’s traditional hospitality combined with elegant accommodation and fine cuisine. There are many international marketing associations but none of these companies are attempting to promote a global awareness whilst still encouraging the development and sustainability of the national traditions and cultural heritage of the individual countries. To strengthen the impact of the Historic Hotels of Europe overseas, a cooperation was initiated between HHE and the Historic Hotels of America. This agreement covers areas such as joint promotions on trade and consumer shows, website links and exchanges of advertisements in respective directories.
HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE 94, rue Saint Lazare | 75009 Paris | France phone: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 30 | fax: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 31 www.HistoricHotelsofEurope.com | info@historichotelsofeurope.com
The members of the Historic Hotels of Europe (2010) www.HistoricHotelsofEurope.com
Abitare la Storia
Italy
www.abitarelastoria.it
Castle Hotels of Hungary
Hungary
www.castle-hotel.hu
Châteaux & Hôtels Collection
France
www.chateauxhotels.com
Countryside Hotels
Sweden
www.countrysidehotels.se
De Historiske - Historic Hotels & Restaurants
Norway
www.dehistoriske.com
Historic Hotels of the Benelux
Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg
www.historichotelsbenelux.com
Hoteles Históricos - Estancias de España
Spain
www.estancias.com
HISTOHOTELS - Historic Hotels of Germany
Germany
www.histohotels.de
Historic Hotels Denmark
Denmark
www.historichotelsdenmark.com
Historic Hotels of Slovakia
Slovakia
www.historickehotelyslovenska.sk
Historic Hotels Poland
Poland
www.hhpoland.com
Hosterías Hospederías Reales
Spain
www.hosteriasreales.com
Hoteis Heritage Lisboa
Portugal
www.heritage.pt
Ireland’s Blue Book
Ireland
www.irelandsbluebook.com
Pousadas de Portugal
Portugal
www.pousadas.pt
Schlosshotels und Herrenhäuser
Austria
www.schlosshotels.co.at
Swiss Historic Hotels
Switzerland
www.swiss-historic-hotels.com
The Great Inns of Britain
Britain
www.greatinns.co.uk
Welsh Rarebits
Wales
www.rarebits.co.uk
Yades Heritage & Hospitality
Greece
www.yadeshotels.gr
HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE 94, rue Saint Lazare | 75009 Paris | France phone: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 30 | fax: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 31 www.HistoricHotelsofEurope.com | info@historichotelsofeurope.com
Facts and figures Founding date
established in 1997 with 8 organisations
Objective
to promote a unique cultural and historic heritage, which offers guests authentic high quality places of accommodation, fine regional cuisine and who also practise the art of hospitality in its purest tradition
Marketing focus
branding throughout e-marketing, public relations, marketing alliances, HHE miniguide
Membership criteria
member organisations are independent associations and not part of any hotel chain; the associations must have a structure which involves a stringent membership criteria, admitting properties with a high standard of traditional hospitality, elegant accommodation and fine cuisine; the buildings should also be of historical or architectural interest
Current membership
20 organisations in 22 countries throughout Europe
Locations
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Total number of properties
approx. 700 properties in the 20 organisations
Size and type of properties
restaurants and hotels varying in size from small 6 bedroom properties to larger properties; mainly but not always owner managed
Reservations
each organisation has its own reservation system
HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE 94, rue Saint Lazare | 75009 Paris | France phone: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 30 | fax: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 31 www.HistoricHotelsofEurope.com | info@historichotelsofeurope.com
Member directories
each organisation has its own directory; HHE miniguide distributed at consumer fairs and trade events as well as by the individual properties
Affiliations
affiliated to the Historic Hotels of America and Europa Nostra
General Assemblies
the Historic Hotels of Europe hold two General Assemblies per year where decisions are made with the regard to marketing and membership
Board of Directors
the Board of Directors 2009-2011 consists of Jan EDSHAGE, Chairman Countryside Hotels (Sweden) Emyr GRIFFITH, 1st Vice Chairman Welsh Rarebits (Wales) Martin KÜTTEL, 2nd Vice Chairman Swiss Historic Hotels (Switzerland) Barbara AVDIS, Secretary General Yades Heritage & Hospitality (Greece) Manuel DUARTE FERNANDES, Treasurer Hoteis Heritage Lisboa (Portugal)
Honorary President
José Antonio LOPEZ ESTERAS Hoteles Históricos - Estancias de España (Spain)
Contact
Hanne MOSTECKY Historic Hotels of Europe 94, rue Saint Lazare 75009 Paris, France phone: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 30 fax: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 31 e-mail: hm@historichotelsofeurope.com Date: 01.01.2010
HISTORIC HOTELS OF EUROPE 94, rue Saint Lazare | 75009 Paris | France phone: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 30 | fax: +33 (0)1 53 20 08 31 www.HistoricHotelsofEurope.com | info@historichotelsofeurope.com