Our Story

Our unique philosophy of Simple Mastery is at the heart of everything we do; it is the unique understated luxury which is the DNA in every design, every object, every meal and every smile. It guides the brand’s vision of simplicity, expressed through our signature hallmarks.

Year Founded

2011

Number of Hotels

Number of Private Estates

Number of Keys

386

True to Zannier’s pioneering spirit, we recently opened our first beach club and restaurant, Nonna Beach in Menorca and future projects include an opening in Saudi Arabia in 2028.

Artisan-led Design

We approach the creation of every hotel, lodge or resort as expert artisans; obsessed with quality, meticulous attention to detail, historical references and pushing the boundaries of creativity. With a unique eye for detail and craftsmanship, we curate every material, every piece of furniture, art and artefact to convey the story of each place, always observing the Zannier Hotels brand values of simplicity and timeless design.

Cultural Immersion

The French Alps, Namibia, Cambodia, Vietnam and soon Bendor Island in the South of France. Our locations are always a little unexpected. We prefer to discover hidden gems and show the country and its culture in an entirely unique and authentic way. From architecture and interior decoration, to our supply chain, organic gardens and guest experience, we aim to promote traditional values and exchanges with local cultures, crafts and traditions passed from one generation to the next.

Building Legacy

Zannier Hotels operates a diverse and inclusive company culture around the world. Our hotels draw their energy from a local and diverse range of talent with upwards of 95% of local staff at each location. Our genuine and warm hospitality is built from their passion and desire to share the beauty and traditions of their country. We further empower local communities through employment, community development and education projects at our hotels to protect and preserve the distinctive identities of every place we touch.

More about our CSR approach

The Art of Emotion

From the beginning, Zannier Hotels has always understood the importance of ‘emotion’ in design and hospitality. Beyond the visceral emotion that all of our hotels provoke through their geographical splendour, we use colour, light, acoustics, materials, textures and the natural world to calm, energise, uplift and inspire pleasurable experiences. Our guided excursions are curated and designed to stir intense emotion and connection with the destination, people and culture.

Life-enhancing Wellness

At Zannier Hotels, we value the importance of a healthy lifestyle and we are committed to helping our guests become their best selves. Our wellness philosophy is based on the notion of “balance” and founded on a combination of four cornerstones – wellbeing, spa, movement and nutrition – that our guests will experience throughout their journey with us.

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A note from our Founder

Arnaud Zannier

When I began Zannier Hotels 14 years ago, it was with a simple desire: to create a new vision for hospitality. To craft authentic hotels designed to stir the soul; experiences that will become treasured memories, set in destinations at the heart of their communities. It began with me falling in love with a spectacular chalet in Megève and wanting to share it – little did I know it was the start of the adventure of a lifetime.

Since opening Le Chalet in the French Alps in 2011, our small team of artisans has crossed continents and explored their farthest reaches to create truly unique properties in unexpected locations. From France to Namibia and Cambodia to Vietnam, Zannier Hotels now spans six award-winning one-of-a-kind hotels, seven estates, several restaurants and bars, two conservation reserves, and we have more to come.

Our vision for Le Chalet was ‘simplicity’ through timeless, authentic design and a return to life’s simple pleasures, echoing the purity of Mount Blanc’s pristine white peaks. We considered every detail to create a pared-back, unhurried atmosphere that would embrace this ‘emotion’ and way of life beyond design, promoting a sense of inner balance and harmony for our guests.

Our vision for hospitality has, and always will be, ‘tactile’. We strive to replicate our signature ‘brand feel and brand emotion’ rather than the traditional ‘brand standards’ most international operators consider with global expansion.

‘Engaging through emotion in design and hospitality’ has grown in importance and interest over the last few years, especially as we see that travellers today are seeking experiences that align with their values, such as exploration, cultural discovery and evoking a sense of wonder. This has always been core to our DNA since day one.

What differentiates our hospitality? We take a holistic perspective, looking at design, aesthetics, atmospherics and service as a whole. We call it ‘Simple Mastery’. It’s the seamless language and connection that runs through everything we do. Blending the tangibles with the intangibles of social interaction, genuine smiles and greetings that trigger emotions. Our company tagline “Inspiring Life’s Greatest Stories” perfectly reflects our ambition.

We are transforming international hospitality operations, behaving like truly independent artisans, at scale.

“Every hotel, lodge, resort, residence, private estate and restaurant is curated to empower a meaningful connection to the local community and culture in every place we touch. We want our guests to be amazed by the beauty and simplicity of the place and feel the same emotion I felt when I visited for the first time.”

Biography Portraits