SHMS - Swiss Hotel Management School
Swiss Hotel Management School, founded in 1992, occupies two of the most striking hospitality campuses anywhere in the world: the historic Caux Palace overlooking Montreux and the Belle Epoque hotels of Leysin high in the Swiss Alps.
Learning inside genuine palace hotels
The Caux Palace, built in 1902, once hosted guests including the future King Ibn Saud, Rudyard Kipling and John D. Rockefeller, and its protected historic exterior now surrounds state of the art classrooms, kitchens and a theatre. The Leysin campus, housed in the former Mont Blanc Palace and Belvédère hotels and linked by a private funicular, was once the world's first winter Club Med, giving students a genuinely storied setting for their studies.
A top four global ranking
SHMS was ranked in the top four worldwide for Hospitality and Leisure Management by the 2026 QS World University Rankings, making it the highest ranked conventional hotel management school in the world. Degrees are awarded in partnership with the University of Derby, giving graduates a qualification with recognised standing in the UK academic system alongside genuine Swiss hospitality training.
Studying at SHMS brings together several distinct strengths:
- Ranked in the world's top four for Hospitality and Leisure Management
- Campuses set inside two genuine historic Belle Epoque palace hotels
- Degrees awarded in partnership with the University of Derby
- A learning by doing philosophy built into every programme
- Membership of the wider Swiss Education Group network
A launchpad into global hospitality careers
Graduates move into hotel, resort and luxury hospitality leadership roles worldwide, carrying with them a genuinely rare educational setting and internationally recognised qualifications. For candidates seeking a hospitality education steeped in Swiss palace hotel tradition, SHMS offers a distinguished path.
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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.