Les Roches International School of Hotel Management

What Les Roches International School of Hotel Management does

Les Roches International School of Hotel Management is a privately-held higher-education institution founded in 1954 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that specializes in hospitality, luxury tourism, and experiential business management. Operating under the Sommet Education group and registered as Gesthôtel Sàrl, the school delivers degree and professional programs across three physical campuses: Crans-Montana (Switzerland, headquarters), Marbella (Spain), and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), with the legal entity domiciled in Switzerland.

The core academic portfolio comprises bachelor's degrees (BBA in Global Hospitality Management and BSc in Sports Business Management), master's degrees (MSc in International Hotel Management, Marketing and Management for Luxury Tourism, Sports Management and Events, International Hospitality Management), an MBA in Global Hospitality Management, and an extensive executive-education track (Executive MBA, Executive MAS, Executive DAS in verticals including golf, cruise line, private aviation, F&B entrepreneurship, and luxury tourism marketing). Beyond degree programs, Les Roches offers advanced studies, semester-abroad and graduate-experience programs, and a growing online catalog of faculty-led executive courses plus self-paced certificates. The school operates Spark Innovation Sphere as its in-house research and innovation platform and holds dual accreditation from the Swiss Accreditation Council (SAC, as a University of Applied Sciences Institute) and the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) — a combination described as rare among hospitality schools. Curricular technology orientation spans revenue-management tools, hospitality-tech platforms (MEWS, Oaky, Guestline), and digital/sustainability content.

Les Roches generates revenue primarily through tuition across on-campus degree programs and online short courses, with payment processing via Flywire and Klarna-installment options in select countries. Distribution combines direct website applications supported by regional admissions counselors, on-campus open days, international education fairs, and reseller-style institutional partnerships (notably IIHM in India and the UN Tourism / Sommet Education Social Innovation Challenge scholarship pipeline). The school is ranked No. 2 globally in the QS World University Rankings by Subject in Hospitality & Leisure Management 2026, with a 5-star QS Stars rating, 13,000+ alumni across 130+ countries, and recruiting relationships with 300+ globally recognized hospitality brands, with 94% of job-seeking graduates receiving one or more offers on graduation day.

Name

Les Roches International School of Hotel Management

Legal name

Gesthôtel Sàrl

Website

https://lesroches.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Les Roches International School of Hotel Management is a Swiss-founded (1954) private hospitality and luxury-tourism higher-education institution operating campuses in Switzerland, Spain, and the UAE. It delivers bachelor's, master's, MBA, executive, and online programs under the Sommet Education group, ranked #2 globally by QS in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Management Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Thematic & Discipline-Specific Study Abroad Programs (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Faculty-Led & Custom Group Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAA)

Keywords

• Hospitality management education
• Hotel management degrees
• Luxury hospitality training
• Hospitality business school
• Executive hospitality education

Headquarters

HQ city

Mollens

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees — undergraduate and graduate programs: Les Roches generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged for its bachelor's degrees (BBA in Global Hospitality Management, BSc in Sports Business Management), master's degrees (MSc programs, MBA), executive part-time education (Executive MBA, Executive MAS, Executive DAS programs), advanced studies programs, and semester abroad programs. Fees vary by campus and program level and are paid according to the school's fee schedule, with installment payment options via Klarna available in select countries.
2. Online program tuition fees: Revenue from 100% online executive courses (Hospitality Financial Analysis, Hospitality Revenue and Demand Management, Hotel Valuation and Performance, Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Development) and self-paced online certificates. Payment processed via Flywire; online programs are non-cancellable and non-refundable after purchase. Access remains available for up to three months after program completion.
3. Scholarships and Social Innovation Challenge prizes: Les Roches, through its partnership with UN Tourism and Sommet Education Foundation, offers full scholarships for its Marbella campus programs as prizes in the Social Innovation Challenge. Winners receive up to 6 full scholarships, representing an indirect revenue flow from partner funding that subsidizes student tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Les Roches delivers higher education programs in hospitality, hotel, and tourism management, including bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, MBAs, executive part-time programs, advanced studies diplomas, semester abroad options, and online executive courses and certificates. Programs are offered across three campuses in Switzerland, Spain, and the UAE, with online delivery for select courses. Instruction combines academic learning with mandatory professional internships and is taught by industry-experienced faculty.

Product overview

Les Roches International School of Hotel Management is a hospitality education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs and professional development offerings across multiple formats. The core academic offerings include undergraduate bachelor's degrees (Global Hospitality Management and Sports Business Management), graduate master's degrees (International Hotel Management, Marketing and Management for Luxury Tourism, Sports Management and Events, International Hospitality Management), and MBA programs. The institution provides executive education through part-time diplomas and advanced studies in specialized areas such as Golf Management, Cruise Line Management, and Private Aviation Management. Online learning options include executive online courses with live faculty sessions and self-paced certificate programs. The school operates campuses in Crans-Montana (Switzerland), Marbella (Spain), and Abu Dhabi (UAE), with a new Spa and Health Management specialization launched in 2025. The institution is ranked No. 2 globally in QS World University Rankings for Hospitality & Leisure Management 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Global Hospitality Management A four-year bachelor's degree combining practical skills, business knowledge and a year's work experience for prospective undergraduate students seeking careers in global hospitality management.
• Bachelor of Science in Sports Business Management Bachelor's degree program focused on launching careers in sports business management for prospective undergraduate students.
• Master of Science in International Hotel Management Master's degree with applied business courses and professional internships designed for recent graduates entering the hotel management field.
• Master of Science in Marketing and Management for Luxury Tourism Master's degree focusing on marketing strategies and management practices specific to the luxury tourism sector.
• Master of Science in Sports Management and Events Master's degree specializing in sports management and events, delivered within a hospitality industry context.
• Master of Science in International Hospitality Management Master's degree program covering international hospitality operations and management for recent graduates.
• MBA in Global Hospitality Management Career accelerator MBA in global hospitality management aimed at ambitious hospitality professionals seeking senior leadership roles.
• Executive MBA in Global Hospitality Management Part-time Executive MBA program designed for working professionals in hospitality seeking senior leadership career acceleration.
• Master of Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management with Specialization Advanced master's-level program for professionals with experience seeking specialized hospitality management expertise.
• Diploma of Advanced Studies in Golf Management Specialized diploma program focusing on golf management operations within the hospitality industry.
• Diploma of Advanced Studies in Cruise Line Management Specialized diploma program covering cruise line management operations within hospitality.
• Diploma of Advanced Studies in Private Aviation Management Specialized diploma in private aviation management operations within the hospitality sector.
• Spa and Health Management Specialization Seven-semester BBA specialization in Spa and Health Management launched in July 2025 in partnership with Genolier Swiss Medical Network and ESPA International, offering hands-on experience at ESPA-branded spas and GSMN clinics.
• Semester Abroad Programs International semester programs enabling students from partner institutions to study at Les Roches campuses in Switzerland, Spain, or UAE.
• Graduate Experience Program Summer program for graduates and prospective students to experience hospitality education at Les Roches campuses.
• Online Executive Courses 100% online, faculty-led executive courses with live sessions and peer-to-peer networking, covering topics such as Hospitality Financial Analysis, Hospitality Revenue and Demand Management, Hotel Valuation and Performance, and Sustainable Hospitality and Tourism Development.
• Online Certificates Self-paced, on-demand online certificate courses designed to build skills in key hospitality areas for individual professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of job-seeking graduates earn one or more job offers on graduation day
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IIHM (International Institute of Hotel Management)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026IIHM established a strategic alliance with Sommet Education connecting Indian hospitality students to globally recognized institutions including Les Roches, Glion, and École Ducasse. The collaboration provides access to scholarships, international learning pathways, and industry networks, expanding career opportunities for Indian students in global hospitality leadership roles.
• CastelfalficoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2026Castelfalfi, a restored medieval Tuscan luxury resort between Florence and Pisa, entered a strategic collaboration with Sommet Education and its hospitality schools Les Roches and Glion, positioning the estate as a living laboratory for hospitality education. Students gain real-world exposure to integrated resort operations including golf, wellness, F&B, and residential development. Castelfalfi gains structured access to future talent amid intensifying competition for skilled staff in rural and resort markets.
• UN TourismflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2025UN Tourism and Sommet Education Foundation launched the Social Innovation Challenge, a global competition inviting startups and scale-ups to submit sustainable, inclusive, and green tourism solutions across three categories: community-based tourism, inclusivity and accessibility, and green projects. Winners receive up to 6 full scholarships for advanced hospitality programs at Les Roches Marbella and pitching opportunities at a UN Tourism Demo Day. Les Roches provides mentorship support alongside Bridge for Billions and Spark.
• Genolier Swiss Medical Network (GSMN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025Les Roches launched a new specialization in Spa and Health Management, a seven-semester BBA program, in partnership with Genolier Swiss Medical Network and ESPA International. Students gain hands-on experience through visits to ESPA-branded spas in London and GSMN clinics near Geneva, combining hospitality management with medical wellness expertise.
• ESPA InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2025Partnership with ESPA International for the Spa and Health Management specialization. ESPA-branded spas in London provide student training environments as part of the program, ensuring industry-aligned wellness and spa management education.
• Sommet EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLes Roches is operated under the Sommet Education group, which owns Les Roches and Glion. Sommet Education provides business solutions for the hospitality sector, focusing on upskilling management professionals and integrating advanced technology. Les Roches is part of the Sommet Education network of hospitality schools and shares curricula, governance, and corporate resources including HR systems (careers portal), marketing, and data protection infrastructure.
• Bridge for BillionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBridge for Billions provides mentoring support to finalists in the UN Tourism Social Innovation Challenge, working alongside Les Roches mentors and Spark to support startup development.
• Spark (Sommet Education Innovation Sphere)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpark is the innovation sphere of Sommet Education, co-mentoring Social Innovation Challenge finalists alongside Bridge for Billions and Les Roches faculty.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Oxford Brookes School of Hospitality Management: UK-based hospitality school offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with strong industry placement; competes for European and international students.
• EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne): QS No. 1 ranked hospitality management school based in Switzerland, offering bachelor and master programs. Directly competes with Les Roches for top-tier international hospitality students globally.
• International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM): Indian hospitality education group and strategic alliance partner of Les Roches via Sommet Education; offers comparable hospitality degrees with strong India-market placement.
• Glion Institute of Higher Education: Sister institution under Sommet Education offering comparable Swiss hospitality bachelor's and master's degrees; most directly comparable peer given shared ownership and similar Swiss hospitality-school positioning.
• Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School: Australian hospitality school operating Australian and Dubai campuses, comparable in international student recruitment model and industry placement focus.
• César Ritz Colleges Switzerland: Swiss-based hospitality school offering bachelor and master programs in hotel and tourism management; competes in the same Swiss hospitality education segment.
• Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration: Leading U.S.-based hospitality management school offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, competing globally for top hospitality talent and employer relationships.
• École Ducasse: French culinary arts and hospitality school within Sommet Education, offering bachelor's and master's in hospitality and culinary arts. Sibling brand with overlapping employer pipeline and shared parent infrastructure.
• Hotelschool The Hague: Well-established hospitality management school in the Netherlands offering bachelor and master programs, comparable in international student demographics and employer placement focus.

Broad incumbents

• American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI): U.S. hospitality education and certification body offering professional credentials and training; broader reach in industry certifications and continuing education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lesrochesnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/lesroches
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lesroches

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Les Roches International School of Hotel Management