One of Europe’s most highly anticipated openings is now open, unveiling a new chapter for the storied private island off the coast of Bandol in Provence.
Following a meticulous five-year transformation, the revived 93-key destination intertwines heritage and modernity, positioning the seven-hectare isle as the new social, culinary and wellness capital of the French Riviera.
A collaboration between Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels, the project honours the enduring vision of Marseille-born pastis pioneer Paul Ricard, who first brought the island to life in 1950 as a convivial gathering place steeped in old-world glamour. Today, under the stewardship of the Ricard family – represented by great-grandson Marc de Jouffroy – and the vision of Arnaud Zannier, Founder of Zannier Hotels, Île de Bendor reclaims its place as a vibrant Mediterranean enclave, reimagined for a new generation. With a joint commitment to restore and preserve its very essence, the Provençal-style village reopens as an elegant 93-key hotel, set across three island locations, complete with a holistic wellbeing centre, dedicated kids’ club, diving centre and a choice of eight dining spaces – including the second outpost of Nonna Bazaar – reframing Paul Ricard’s dream of an island imbued with soul.
Zannier Île de Bendor sees distinct styles: Delos, Soukana and Madrague, thoughtfully curated across these three signature settings, all with their own ambience and guest experience. The 39-key Delos encapsulates the refined spirit of the 1960s French Riviera, 49-key Soukana centres around wellbeing and reconnection, while five two-storey Madrague houses, former fishermen’s houses each with a private garden, provide authentic Provençal charm for young families near the harbour. Bespoke interiors using natural materials carry the signature of Zannier Design Studio, while the extensive renovation, mindful of preserving what came before, has been led by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes.
At the heart of the opening is the 1,200sq m Rēsonance Spa, one of the largest and most ambitious wellness offerings in the region. Designed as a deeply personalised journey, Rēsonance pairs ancient healing traditions with advanced diagnostic technology to support physical, emotional and energetic balance. Central to the concept is bioresonance, an advanced wellbeing assessment technology that maps the body’s energetic and physiological state. Each stay begins with an in-depth consultation, 3D skin analysis, VISBODY body composition assessment and personalised cryotherapy profiling. From this foundation, five distinct wellness paths unfold – spanning digestive health, emotional restoration, hormonal balance, physical performance and regenerative beauty – shaping each stay with precision, aligning treatments, movement and nutrition into a coherent and fully bespoke experience. A highlight of Rēsonance is its elevated skincare offering, expressed through three complementary philosophies: mēditatif, skincare as an emotional practice by Alicia Rountree Zannier, Apoticari botanical rituals and Augustinus Bader’s science-led formulations, together creating a layered approach to skin vitality and renewal.
The spa itself unfolds as a light-filled sanctuary, encompassing hammam, mud baths, far-infrared Iyashi dome, cryotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy and dry needling, supported by yoga, meditation and reformer Pilates. A thermal journey through Aquae Rēsonance alternates heat and cold in a natural rhythm, while a racket sports complex, fitness centre and yoga deck extend the sense of movement beyond the spa and into the wider island landscape.
