Hotel Management School Leeuwarden
Hotel Management School Leeuwarden is part of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences and is widely regarded as the largest and most internationally oriented hotel school in Europe. Around 2,500 students from more than fifty countries study here each year, joining a global alumni community of over 13,000 hospitality professionals.
Hostmanship as a guiding philosophy
At the heart of the school's approach is the concept of hostmanship, a mindset built on genuine service, leadership and creativity. Students learn how to make both guests and colleagues feel truly welcome, developing skills that extend well beyond technical hotel operations into the kind of leadership hospitality employers actively look for.
Learning inside a real four star hotel
Theory is tested immediately against practice. The school runs its own four star teaching hotel together with an on campus restaurant, giving students the chance to work real shifts, serve real guests and make real decisions from their first year onward. This is reinforced by a ten month paid internship in the final year, giving graduates substantial international work experience before they even receive their diploma. Programmes at Hotel Management School Leeuwarden have been accredited by the Institute of Hospitality since 2014, and its International Hospitality Management programme earned the European CeQuInt certification for quality in internationalisation.
Students benefit from several distinct advantages during their studies:
- A four star teaching hotel and restaurant on campus
- A worldwide partner network for study and internship placements
- A campus community representing more than fifty nationalities
- Collaboration with hospitality employers on real business challenges
- A global alumni network of over 13,000 professionals
A warm, personal atmosphere in the north of the Netherlands
Set in Leeuwarden, a compact and welcoming student city, the school is known for an open and personal atmosphere alongside its academic rigour. It is precisely this combination of scale, structure and warmth that continues to produce hospitality leaders who feel at home anywhere in the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is headhunting?
Headhunting is the direct, proactive approach of specific professionals for a specific role, rather than waiting for applications. It is common for senior, scarce or confidential positions. CourtesyMasters has practised headhunting and direct sourcing for hospitality since 1999, always discreetly and with respect for everyone involved.
What is a boutique executive search firm?
A boutique executive search firm is a small, specialised practice that takes on a limited number of assignments with senior attention, in contrast to large, volume-driven firms. CourtesyMasters has worked this way since 1999: a dedicated team, deep hospitality roots and personal involvement from first briefing to final placement. Read more about us.
What is the difference between executive search and recruitment?
Recruitment typically fills open vacancies through advertising and applications. Executive search works the other way around: a consultant proactively identifies and approaches accomplished professionals, including those not actively looking, and guides both sides through a confidential, structured process. CourtesyMasters combines both disciplines, always with a hospitality focus.
What is executive search?
Executive search is a specialised form of recruitment for senior and hard-to-fill positions. Instead of waiting for applications, a search partner proactively identifies, approaches and assesses proven professionals, often confidentially. CourtesyMasters has applied this craft exclusively to hospitality since 1999, through a structured six-step methodology. Discover more about executive search services.
How can I report recruitment fraud or impersonation involving CourtesyMasters?
If you receive a suspicious message or offer that claims to come from CourtesyMasters, please contact us directly before responding. We will confirm whether the communication is genuine and take action to protect you.
Where is CourtesyMasters headquartered?
CourtesyMasters is headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands, and works internationally from hubs in Madrid, Florence, Rome, London, Monaco and Cannes. See our locations for the full overview.
When was CourtesyMasters founded?
CourtesyMasters was founded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 1999. From Rotterdam to the world: over more than twenty-five years we have grown into an international hospitality search partner built on trust and discretion, working today from our headquarters in The Hague. Read more in our story.