Combining Culture with Leisure
The havens offered by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts are places to explore your passions, expect the unexpected and connect to the world’s most exciting cultures. Here, we spend some time with company Founder Gordon Oldham to discuss how the brand can help customers to discover more of what there is to offer around the globe.
Driven by a sense of adventure and unconventional thinking, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts company has been a labour of love for the founder, whilst at the same time for anyone who has stayed at one of their locations, it provides a sophisticated and engaging alternative to traditional hotels.
At The Pavilions, privacy is of paramount importance where guests can embark on a personal adventure full of colourful local characters and vibrant communities, unique cultural insights, culinary revelations and breathtaking surges of adrenaline.
Not just another group of hotels; The Pavilions is a stand-alone group that is different and does not follow protocol. They like to be bolder and think outside of the box, emphasising the unique aspects of the brand’s personality as strengths.
The company’s portfolio is spread across landmark locations that are not just exceptional places to sleep, but a place to be. Across Europe the brand has boutique hotels near Toulouse in France, Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Madrid in Spain, which are complemented by The First Roma by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts in Italy, a distinctive tripartite deconstructed urban resort experience in the Eternal City comprising sister hotels The First Arte, The First Dolce and finally The First Musica.
Outside of Europe, their Asia portfolio includes The Pavilions Bali, where the brand’s story began in 2000; the magnificent flagship resort in Phuket, an inspirational eco-friendly Nepalese organic farm retreat nestled in a Himalayan valley; Nepal’s first luxury tented eco villas and every summer, a magnificent Mongolian luxury pop-up camp offering escapism, adventure and reconnection with the essence of life and nature in the ancient Okhorn Valley National Park.
“It is an interesting story to tell,” highlights Gordon Oldham, Founder of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts as he recounts the tale of how the company started. “I have to admit it was quite by accident, at the beginning there were no business plans, no projections and no budgets. After many years of being a lawyer I wanted to do something a bit more adventurous for myself. I decided to get serious with this venture in 2015 and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Discussing the company’s expansion, Gordon tells us that earlier this year the luxury boutique hotel, Château De Fiac joined The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts family, becoming the sixth property in its burgeoning European portfolio. First opened last year in Tarn, just 24 miles from Toulouse-Blagnac International Airport, the 16-room and suite hotel is a serene haven that seamlessly blends the aristocratic and academic heritage of the estate, with the contemporary comforts and assiduous service desired by discerning travellers. Coupled with fine dining, world-class wellness experiences from REVĪVŌ and local immersions, Château De Fiac by The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts offers an idyllic retreat in which to experience the best of France’s Occitania region.
With a new found emphasis on wellness and wanting to integrate this further within the brand, at Château De Fiac’s REVĪVŌ Spa, guests can focus on their mental and physical wellbeing as they immerse themselves in the rejuvenating facilities or choose one of the refined wellness treatments.
Looking forward, the business has recently announced the signing of The First Hotel Cortina in Veneto, Italy and it is set to open its doors in the fourth quarter of next year. The upcoming five-star boutique hotel will bring exceptional dining experiences and a modern Italian interpretation of circular architecture by Studio Marincola to Cortina d’Ampezzo, as the fashionable Dolomites destination prepares to host the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Featuring 63 rooms and suites, all with spacious balconies overlooking the surrounding UNESCO-protected Dolomites National Park, The First Hotel Cortina is located on Corso Italia in the heart of Cortina d’Ampezzo – just five minutes’ shuttle bus from the ski lifts. The new site will feature a lounge bar and terrace and in-keeping with its focus on wellness and health, a REVĪVŌ spa and wellness centre including indoor spa pool, sauna and hammam; a Zerobody Dry Float bed by Starpool; a Sky Room, MTB electric bike room and high-definition Sonos sound systems.
E-Commerce is playing a more important role than ever in the evolution of the company and they are currently working on a new website to enhance user experience as well as growing its social media presence across multiple platforms and incorporating AI chatbots to meet a desire from consumers for immediate support.
“We utilise the tools, of which there a lot out there that are well suited to hotels, but we want to stand out from the crowd in the way we utilise these elements,” says Gordon.
As we move onto the topic of sustainability, it becomes apparent that The Pavilions feel a responsibility to not only play their part for the environment, but also to give something back to the communities in which they are situated. For example, at The Pavilions Himalayas, rainwater harvesting provides over 50 per cent of the resort’s water needs, which is filtered naturally and reused in the showers, tubs and sinks. This dramatically saves water and reduces their impact on the environment.
“In addition, we support initiatives that empower disadvantaged groups, promote education and preserve cultural heritage through charities such as the Child Welfare Scheme and Right4Children.”
As our time with Gordon runs shorts, we ask him about the ethos of the brand and what people can expect from a stay at one of their properties?
“It is all about service, it is life’s last luxury as we are all so busy that if our exceptional service can save you five minutes or ten, it makes a difference to people’s lives and we want everyone to enjoy our exceptional offering as we look to expand our portfolio in the future,” Gordon concludes.
