Authentic Simplicity
Zannier Hotels’ journey began back in 2011 and from the outset, the concept was driven by a creative desire to break away from the norms of traditional luxury hotels and create timeless properties. In this interview, we sit down with Arnaud Zannier, CEO & Founder to discuss the road travelled so far and how the company keeps looking forward.
The vision of Zannier Hotels is guided by a passion to inspire life’s greatest stories by offering exceptional experiences that are culturally rich and uniquely positioned within modern luxury hospitality. Their mission is rooted in their DNA, which is expressed through simplicity and their distinctive signature approach.
Since its inception fifteen years ago, the brand has expanded across three continents, with strong potential for further growth in new locations. There are currently five operating properties in the portfolio, with a sixth in development.
Situated in Megève, France is the company’s landmark first property. Zannier Le Chalet is a luxurious mountain retreat of 12 rooms and suites and opened in 2011. Zannier Phum Baitang, located in Siem Reap, Cambodia features 25 terrace villas and 20 pool villas and launched in 2015. Opened next in 2018 was Zannier Omaanda in Windhoek East, Namibia, a fifteen-hut, Owambo-style lodge within 9,000ha of savannah forming the Zannier Reserve by Naankusê. A year later, Zannier Sonop in the hardap region of Namibia opened and features ten tented suites constructed on top of granite boulders. The most recent opening took place in 2020 in the Dak Lak region, coastal region of Vietnam, with Zannier Bãi San Hô. Perched on a secluded peninsula, 73 villas resemble the style of Vietnamese homes.
“We will soon open our sixth property on 1 May, following a meticulous five-year transformation of one of France’s most iconic private islands, Île de Bendor in the bay of Bandol, Provence. Zannier Île de Bendor is one of the most anticipated hotel openings in Europe this spring,” comments Arnaud Zannier, CEO & Founder of Zannier Hotels. “The stylish hotel will offer 93 keys and a choice of old-world glamour or family friendly natural beauty in three locations on the island. Nestled among beautifully restored Mediterranean gardens, a lovely harbour and pristine shores will be a Provencal-style village and an array of eight restaurants and bars, including the second outpost of the group’s immersive dining concept, Nonna Bazaar – alongside a beach cove, diving centre, curated artisan village, an expansive wellness centre (1,200sq m), sports and outdoor activities.”
In recent years, the company has launched Zannier Private Estates, which is a new business extension of Zannier Hotels, focusing on short-term rentals. Zannier Private Estates is composed of exceptional, treasured family homes which are available for private rent, with the same service and curated local experiences as their hotels. This collection includes the seven properties of Château Saint-Maur and Les Gémeaux in St Tropez, Finca Bellavista and Torre Saura in Menorca, Le Chalet in Megève, Quinta do Pessegueiro in Portugal and Le Campement in Mauritius.
In parallel, they opened in June 2022 a new restaurant concept called Nonna Bazaar in Menorca. Since its debut, the restaurant, nestled in the outskirts of Ciutadella, has captivated guests with its seamless blend of Mediterranean cuisine, lively entertainment and stunning outdoor setting. In May 2025, they launched Nonna Beach, its sister property that also celebrates the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle.
“Both restaurants sincerely embrace a multi-cultural heritage while celebrating family traditions, authentic food and conviviality. They both possess an on-site curated boutique extending the experience and they can both be privatised for special occasions: birthdays, hen parties, group events or weddings,” Arnaud highlights.
Over the next year or two, Zannier Hotels’ focus will be on strengthening the portfolio and ensuring the successful launch of their upcoming site, while upholding their business values and continuously improving their sustainability practices. At the same time, they are currently reviewing several new opening propositions and are about to commence work on their next upcoming project in Saudi Arabia, called Zannier Zardun which is currently due to launch in 2028.
When looking for sites, location in everything. It is the landscapes, panoramas, topography and history of a place that form the anchor point of any Zannier property, as their hotel concepts and branding are always rooted in the history of the destination.
“Ultimately, what attracts us to new properties is the position and the opportunity it offers. Location is fundamental, encompassing environmental, cultural and historical dimensions. Our commitment to exceptional standards can make the selection process more demanding, but it is precisely this rigour that makes the outcome more meaningful and rewarding,” explains Arnaud.
A core element of the philosophy of Zannier Hotels is sustainability. They are deeply committed to sustainable management and strive to minimise their on-ground impact. Their approach includes eco-conception, prioritising raw materials, energy efficiency and renewable technologies such as solar panels and double-flow ventilation systems. They also invest in water conservation, non-plastic bottling and advanced water treatment systems. At Zannier Hotels, they believe that sustainability should be considered from the very beginning of a project. Therefore, they try as much as possible to develop hotels that are environmentally friendly, both in terms of their design and in their operation.
Reflecting on the factors behind the company’s success over the years, Arnaud highlights the team, unwavering core principles and a commitment to constant improvement and innovation in luxury hospitality as essential pillars.
“We firmly believe that consistency is essential in this industry, both in vision and execution. More than 15 years ago, we were already ahead of the curve by focusing on slow tourism and human-scale hotels. This long-term, thoughtful approach has allowed us to build a distinctive identity and deliver experiences that resonate deeply with today’s travellers.”
As the business continues to grow its portfolio, the challenges that lay ahead are largely dependent on market conditions. The rapid evolution of technology and the geopolitical conflicts affecting certain regions around the world are both hard to anticipate and are amongst the greatest challenges in our industry, says the CEO.
At its core, Zannier Hotels strives to promote cultural immersion and to build a sustainable win-win relationship with local communities.
“Our ethos is based on authentic simplicity. We aim to offer immersive experiences that are sustainable and with a deep connection with local culture, to inspire unforgettable stories and meaningful engagement at every destination.”
