René, our host from Holland, is always up for a witty remark and can usually be found in the dining room, spreading good vibes. With years of experience at Michelin-star level as a sommelier and in the gastronomy industry, he is now the man behind the house. Always there for our guests, he offers wine recommendations, tastings, and much more!
"I look forward to personally welcoming you – and perhaps sharing a smile in a friendly conversation."
Our hotel director René has held the title of Master Host for 25 years. The Dutch Foundation for Professional Competence in the Hospitality Industry (Stichting Vakbekwaamdheid Horeca, SVH) has administered Dutch master titles and master examinations since 1980. He received a medal on the occasion of his 25th anniversary.
He was honoured with a biography on the website www.svhmeestertitels.nl/meesters/rene-jacobs/
"Back home in Kerkrade, his family ran a guesthouse with a café. That’s how René Jacobs was introduced to the hospitality industry at a young age. When he was just 12 years old, he declared that by the age of 24, he would become maître d’ at a Michelin-starred restaurant. He pursued a hospitality education and gained experience at establishments like Erenstein, Winselerhof, and Kasteel Wittem—the latter holding a Michelin star. He then left Limburg to work at De Bokkedoorns, under the guidance of SVH Master Host Peter Bruins, a major role model for René. While there, he witnessed the restaurant earning its second Michelin star. He loved his time there, but there was no room for a second maître d’ alongside Peter. So, with a heavy heart, René moved to the Michelin-starred Winselerhof, where he did become maître d’—right on time, at age 24.
After that, René didn’t stay in one place for long, wanting to gain experience at top-tier restaurants across the Netherlands and Belgium. This led him to De Swaen, owned by SVH Master Chef Cas Spijkers, where he worked alongside SVH Master Host Eduard van der Toolen. Eduard encouraged him to pursue the prestigious SVH Master title.
“I had thought about it before. Eduard was the one who finally convinced me. My philosophy is: if you give your heart and soul to something, you should give it your all. That’s something I’ve always passed on to my students.”
René earned the Master title in 2000, while working at the Hotels van Oranje. In the following years, he moved between several establishments. In 2008, he relocated to Italy, taking on a role as restaurant manager/sommelier at a new five-star hotel in Naples. Later, he worked as maître-sommelier at a two-star restaurant and as service manager at a hotel—both located in South Tyrol. Since 2024, René has been the owner of Hotel Schweigl, also in South Tyrol.
“My SVH Master plaque proudly hangs by the entrance!”