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Q&As

Arnaud Zannier on Choosing Locales and What’s Coming Next for Zannier Hotels

by Joy Pecknold

Entrepreneurship and an eye for style runs in the Zannier family. Born in Saint-Chamond, France, Arnaud Zannier started his career as international business developer for one of his father Roger’s footwear brands and then launched his own line of handmade shoes. His next step, establishing Zannier Hotels in 2011, has taken him off the beaten path to uniquely preserved places with a desire to do luxury travel differently. We caught up with him to learn more about his philosophy and favorites.

Q Your background is in fashion, what drove you to get into hospitality?
A

I have always liked architecture, interior design and good food, so hospitality was always close to my heart. After working in London for five years with Kickers and running my own business, n.d.c. made by hand, my father asked me to come back to the family business. But I felt there was nothing I could do better than what they were already doing, and I had in mind some ideas for a new hospitality approach. I identified what was a niche at that time: the idea that the future of luxury is more about moments and experiences than gold taps and marble. In 2011, I got an opportunity to purchase the three-star Michelin restaurant La Ferme de mon Père in Megève, France, which kept its name but has been converted into a bistronomic restaurant and was recently revamped for its tenth anniversary. I decided to launch my hospitality brand and the Zannier Hotels adventure started.

Q What do you look for when choosing a location for a Zannier Hotels property?
A

Every opening takes into consideration the location, the local culture and the experience our guests will be able to live, as well as the emotion they will retain. But there is no written strategy on the location selection criteria. Most of the previous openings were the result of fortunate encounters. Encounters with business opportunities, of course, but above all, a place. I give a lot of importance to the feeling one gets in a place. I based most of our establishments on the emotion that I felt when visiting those places. I would like to share this with others and this is why, at Zannier Hotels, we are conscious of the purity of a site. We look for a place with an untouched and authentic charm, so we can create a discrete cocoon where we can melt into the atmosphere of the place and offer a unique experience. It always starts with the local environment and a search for timelessness, so the quality of service that we can offer feels both homey and flawless.

Q Naturally, you love all your properties, but is there one nearest and dearest to your heart?
A

This is such a hard question to answer. Like “which of your children do you prefer?” I am very proud of all our hotels, and I enjoy visiting them regularly. But I must say I am very excited by Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô, the latest project we opened in December 2020. It is an incredible construction, with 73 standalone villas built in Vietnamese architectural styles that are discretely nestled within 98 hectares of dense, endemic vegetation overlooking a protected coral bay. I am always very excited to visit the property again, and to experience the deeply rooted Vietnamese culture that is genuinely reflected. This was also the materialization of more than four years of intense work, the largest project ever for Zannier Hotels, and definitely a successful milestone.

Q There’s so much to take in when visiting a place for the first time; what are some of the details or experiences at your properties that we might not catch at first glance but shouldn’t be missed?
A

The various excursions we offer at our properties are definitely something you should experience. All the activities are unique and based on the location and culture of the place. They are invitations for a two-way encounter where one learns from another. Some of them are focused on wellness, others on nature, gastronomy, the local community, or cultural discovery. Our guests could go, for example, on a ski safari in Megève, a hot air balloon safari with Champagne breakfast in Namibia, or a local fishing and craft village exploration in Vietnam. At Zannier Hotels, we put personalization and experiences at the heart of each concept to inspire life’s greatest stories.

Q You’ve mentioned one of your favorite quotes is Cesare Pavese’s “We do not remember days; we remember moments.” What was a vivid moment you remember from one of your recent travels?
A

Japan is probably one of my best travel memories, for the food and the amazing customer service completing a whole incredible experience. I have been there three times, but I really want to go back with my children and show them this wonderful country that I really admire. I want them to discover the incredible landscapes, culture and gastronomy of Japan, and feel the genuine simplicity and humbleness of the people there.

Q Could you share any juicy details on what’s next for the brand?
A

We have several projects in the pipeline, with a thrilling upcoming project in Europe planned for 2026. More will be announced in a few weeks. The second Nonna Bazaar will be part of it. We can’t say where yet, but I can tell you it is located in the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea and it will be stunning. This will be our biggest project so far, with nearly 100 hotel rooms and several food and beverage outlets. We’re also continuing the expansion of Zannier Private Estates, with the opening at the end of the year of Le Campement, a five-bedroom villa located within an outstanding 5,000-hectare estate in Mauritius. The brand is regularly approached by investors, and we remain open for new opportunities as hotel operators.

 

To dive deeper into the brand’s properties, read our Zannier Hotels Spotlight.