EUROPEAN HOTEL AWARDS 2026 IN BORDIGHERA: GRAND HOTEL DEL MARE TAKES CENTRE STAGE IN EUROPEAN HOSPITALITY
Alessandro Dorrucci named “General Manager of the Year 2026”, Vasile Chirilă honoured for operational excellence, and Bordighera recognised as “European Hospitality City 2026”
Bordighera, Italy – 29 September 2026 – For one memorable evening, Bordighera became a European capital of hospitality. On Monday, 28 September, Grand Hotel del Mare Resort & Spa hosted the eighth edition of the European Hotel Awards 2026, an international event celebrating excellence across the European hotel and hospitality industry.
The gala evening brought together hotel professionals, executives and leading figures from across Europe, placing Bordighera and the Italian Riviera at the heart of the European hospitality community.
A particularly significant moment for Grand Hotel del Mare Resort & Spa was the presentation of the “General Manager of the Year 2026” award to Alessandro Dorrucci, General Manager of the Resort.
The distinction recognises his professional journey and leadership of the Resort, while also celebrating the commitment of an entire team dedicated every day to creating an exceptional guest experience through personal attention, meticulous service and a strong connection with the destination.
A further distinction was presented to Vasile Chirilă, Operations Manager of Grand Hotel del Mare Resort & Spa, who received the “Hospitality Operations Excellence 2026” award, recognising excellence in hospitality operations and management.
The evening also carried special significance for the destination itself, with Bordighera receiving the title of “European Hospitality City 2026”, represented during the ceremony by Mayor Marzia Baldassarre.
Together, these three distinctions created a symbolic connection between the city, the Resort and the people who work every day to deliver outstanding hospitality, highlighting the growing international profile of Bordighera and the Italian Riviera.
Grand Hotel del Mare Resort & Spa welcomed guests of the European Hotel Awards for an evening dedicated to elegance, hospitality and the flavours of the region, featuring a welcome reception, the official awards ceremony and a gala dinner.
The event also represented an important opportunity for the international promotion of Bordighera and the Riviera dei Fiori, bringing European hospitality professionals to the destination and allowing them to experience first-hand a region with a long-standing tradition of international tourism and refined hospitality.
“Receiving this recognition here, in our home and in front of our team, gives it an even deeper meaning. Being a General Manager means, above all, having the privilege and responsibility of leading people. This award therefore belongs to every member of the Grand Hotel del Mare team, who brings passion, professionalism and heart to their work every day. Bordighera’s recognition makes this evening even more meaningful: hospitality does not belong to a hotel alone; it is the expression of an entire destination.”
Alessandro Dorrucci
General Manager
Grand Hotel del Mare Resort & Spa
