CREATE BY GUIDO BRAEKEN NAMED GLOBAL RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

At this year’s World Luxury Awards gala in Bucharest, the two-MICHELIN-starred restaurant Create by Guido Braeken at Van Oys Maastricht Retreat was named 2026 Global Restaurant of the Year (Overall Winner). The restaurant also received the global award for Best Gourmet Cuisine and the continental award for Best Luxury Interior Design in Europe. These three accolades follow the reaffirmation of its two MICHELIN stars and Braeken’s admission to the prestigious association Les Grandes Tables du Monde – a remarkable series of achievements for a restaurant that only opened in 2025.

The World Luxury Awards celebrated their 20th edition in 2026. The anniversary gala took place at the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel. Global Restaurant of the Year is the World Luxury Restaurant Awards most prestigious award.

Photo credits: Studio marketing deluxe

In early October, the MICHELIN Guide Netherlands reaffirmed the two stars awarded to Create in its opening year, 2025. On 12 October, Guido Braeken was admitted to the international association Les Grandes Tables du Monde, which brings together approximately 200 renowned restaurants from 28 countries. Just five days later, he received the Global Restaurant of the Year award in Bucharest.

Guido Braeken’s cuisine is rooted in classical French gastronomy. His culinary signature is characterised by the careful selection of ingredients and exceptional technical precision. Braeken introduces international influences with a considered approach, without losing sight of the clarity and balance of his dishes. The MICHELIN Guide also highlights the classical depth of his cuisine, technically precise preparation and delicately balanced exotic accents.

Braeken works alongside a close-knit team that has developed over many years. At his side is Chef de Cuisine Max van der Sterren, who oversees the day-to-day operations of the kitchen and Maître Mark Schellingerhout who guides guests through the dining experience. The seamless interaction between kitchen, service and wine is an essential element of Create’s culinary philosophy and commitment to excellence.

Create is located in the former courtyard building, known as the Remise, within the revitalised historic Van Oys estate. Dutch architect Paul Linse designed an interior that draws inspiration from the landscape and history of the estate, bringing these elements together in a sensory galaxy. Three circular seating islands represent the sun, moon and earth, while a tree trunk from the estate’s park is suspended above them. The design is an integral part of the restaurant’s concept, complementing Braeken’s cuisine with a spatial and sensory dimension. This distinctive approach earned Create the World Luxury Restaurant Award for Best Luxury Interior Design in Europe.

In addition to the three restaurant awards, Van Oys Maastricht Retreat and its Oysana Spa & Sports each received three World Luxury Awards. In total, the five-star superior retreat, which opened in 2025, received nine awards, including four at global level.

Managing Director Marc Alofs accepted the awards in Bucharest on behalf of the owners and the entire team: “International recognition at this level is not simply handed to you. It has to be earned. The nine awards received by Van Oys Maastricht Retreat are a testament to the dedication of our entire team. At the same time, they provide the perfect motivation to continue giving our very best every single day, ensuring that our guests enjoy a truly unique luxury experience.”

Create by Guido Braeken is the fine-dining restaurant at Van Oys Maastricht Retreat, which opened in 2025 in Eijsden-Margraten, approximately six kilometres south of Maastricht.
The five-star superior hotel, situated along the River Meuse, is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and has been awarded a MICHELIN Key. The historic estate features 81 rooms and suites, the restaurant Maes, Cuisine du Terroir, Wine Bar César, Oysana Spa & Sports and extensive parkland. The owners are Michel and Leon Maes, and the Managing Director is Marc Alofs.

The World Luxury Awards were founded in South Africa in 2006 on the initiative of hotelier Brandon Lourens. Today, the programme recognises hotels, spas, restaurants and businesses within the tourism industry. In addition to infrastructure and facilities, the awards consider the individual concept, the quality of its execution and service excellence.

The nomination process for the World Luxury Hotel Awards begins with participants submitting entries in categories that reflect their unique selling points. The World Luxury Commission selects nominees based on official guest reviews. During the subsequent three-week public voting period, international travellers, guests and industry representatives from around the world vote for the winners. In 2026, more than 300,000 votes were cast.