It is not always the obvious path that leads to happiness. In the case of Arnaud Zannier, it was the second fork in the road that led the son of a fashion designer, who at times created luxury shoes himself, to become a hotelier. The Frenchman now owns five hotels that play the leading role in the dreams of modern luxury seekers. One of them: Zannier Hotels Le Chalet, a hideaway for cold days, whose amenities bring light into even the darkest season.
FACES: How did you get into the hotel industry?
Arnaud Zannier: I’ve always had a love of architecture, interior design, good food and fine restaurants, which is why the hospitality industry has always been close to my heart. After working for Kickers in London for five years and running my own business (N.D.C., handmade luxury shoes), my father asked me to return to the family business. I thought about it and mulled over a few concepts until I realized one thing: In the future, luxury would be defined more by moments and experiences than by golden taps and marble. In 2011, I was given the opportunity to buy the three-star restaurant “La Ferme de mon Père” in Megève, France. I made the decision and the Zannier Hotels adventure began.
F: How would you describe your hotels and your style?
AZ: At Zannier Hotels, we want to write the most beautiful stories of life. Each stay is designed to connect with the local culture and community. The idea is to offer our guests the opportunity to relax and at the same time learn more about the culture, heritage and traditions of the place. To this end, all our hotels are individual and exquisite, both in their design and in the services they offer. They offer experiences that create memories and are committed to empowering local communities and respecting the environment in which they are located.
F: How long did it take from the idea to the finished hotel?
AZ: At Zannier Hotels, all our projects are different, so the schedule can vary. In contrast to many other hotel groups, we are not only the operator, but also take care of the entire development internally, including property research, hotel conception, concept definition, architecture and interior design as well as purchasing. There is therefore no typical timetable for each project, although it could be said that the conception phase lasts around two years. If we only talk about the construction phase (from the first stone to the opening), it takes an average of 18 months – a relatively short period of time considering how many details we expect. For example, our latest project Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô – with 73 villas, three restaurants, a large wellness area and an activity center on 98 hectares – was built in 18 months, with up to 750 workers on site at the same time!
F: Why should we definitely stay at your place?
AZ: Because we offer exceptional luxury hotels. They are places that have a soul and are connected to their surroundings. At Zannier Hotels, we strive to evoke emotions through architecture, atmosphere and customized service.
F: What do hoteliers need to think about that others don’t?
AZ: I think that hoteliers need to move away from standardization in order to meet the new expectations of customers. This has become even clearer since the Covid crisis: people are looking for real encounters and authentic experiences. We don’t just want to offer beautiful houses with sophisticated service, we want to enable genuine cultural and emotional immersion in every house. Guests should be amazed by the beauty and simplicity of the place and feel the same way I did when I was there for the first time.
F: What are you like as a boss?
AZ: I have a strong entrepreneurial spirit. I think straight, but make sure I have all the information I need to make a decision. I like to start projects with a blank sheet of paper and bring in something new. I am obsessed with the search for simplicity and timelessness in every project I work on. Some may call me inspirational or visionary, but I prefer to say that I am passionate. My entire team is extremely passionate and works hard. They have great respect for traditions and a genuine interest in getting to know other cultures. That is very important to me.
F: What qualities does a good host need?
AZ: I would say passion, open-mindedness and an eye for detail. If you meet a hotelier who welcomes you with an open heart, a great smile and that little something extra that touches you, you will definitely remember him or her.
F: What do you like most about guests?
AZ: I am always thrilled when guests discover our hotels for the first time. We receive amazing comments, often very personal and emotional, which mean a lot to me. The interiors of our individual hotels fascinate many of our guests.
F: What expectations do you have of your hotel, and how have your guests’ expectations changed in recent years?
AZ: I believe that travelers today are bored with big hotels and mass tourism. Instead, they are looking for exclusivity, privacy and uniqueness and therefore tend to choose more special destinations, stay in smaller hotels and want a more personalized welcome. I believe that the future will lead to small places that have a soul.
F: As a hotelier and host, you experience an exciting everyday life. What story do you have to tell us?
AZ: It’s true: in our industry, no two days are the same – and I love that. I have collected a lot of anecdotes over the past ten years. Of course, my meeting with Angelina Jolie in 2015 at the opening of the Zannier Hotel Phum Baitang was a great moment that made us internationally known. But all small moments are precious. I remember the words of a couple who spent their honeymoon at Zannier Hotels Sonop shortly after the opening – they were overjoyed. I remember all the people I met and worked with during the construction of our hotels. The opening phase is often the most memorable time, because it means that a vision comes to life that previously only existed in my head. Sometimes it can be a little stressful, such as on the opening day of the Zannier Hotel Omaanda when all the pipes froze in July, or when a hurricane swept over Phu Yen 30 days before the opening of the Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô. Fortunately, we overcame all these difficulties thanks to the passion, commitment and expertise of our teams.
F: What do you think of Airbnb?
AZ: Fortunately, the luxury hotel industry has still been partially spared from platforms such as Airbnb. We do not see Airbnb as a direct threat to our hotels, as we are convinced that we offer a different experience. We are a people-oriented company, and Airbnb is a product-oriented company. We offer much more than just renting out rooms. With us, the guest gets an experience, even a story and a different perspective on the world.
Q: What do you look out for when you are on the road yourself?
AZ: More than comfort or a name, I look for a place with a soul; a local atmosphere that allows me to discover, learn, feel…
F: What is the best hotel in the world that you have stayed in yourself?
AZ: It’s hard to name just one hotel, but I particularly like the Five Arms in Scotland. The place is beautiful, well done and in unspoiled nature. The hotel is very remote, but you never get bored there. I find it very inspiring and ideal for relaxing.
F: Which hotel would you like to own yourself?
AZ: Probably one of the iconic city palaces, what we commonly call an old lady. I would like to modernize the whole thing while retaining the charm of the past
F: Where is your own bed?
AZ: After several years in Belgium, where I raised my three children, I decided to move to London, where I’ve been living with my partner since 2019. I have always liked this vibrant city, where you can do pretty much anything and which is very inspiring for creative people and architecture lovers like me. I have a nice apartment in Kensington.
This is what Arnaud Zannier from…
Cruise ships … I’ve never done that before, but I’d really like to try. Probably on a more adventurous ship that explores hidden corners or unusual destinations such as Antarctica.
Buffet meals … The buffet is generally very popular in our industry, especially at breakfast. I’m less of a fan of lunch and dinner, and buffets often produce more waste, which we try to avoid as much as possible.
Tipping. .. It is important to reward staff in our industry as it is a difficult job that is very demanding and involves long hours! So I am definitely in favor of this.
Dress codes … I respect traditions and I used to work in the fashion industry, so it’s important for me to choose the right outfit for an event.
Tripadvisor… TripAdvisor is a good tool to get additional information about a restaurant, hotel or destination, but I personally never use it.
Online travel agencies… easy for quick bookings, but probably not the best tool for finding unique properties. We prefer to work with specialized travel agencies and luxury tour operators to promote our properties.
Sharing economy … something that has always existed, but is hardly compatible with all companies.
Sustainability … A must! There is no discussion about global warming. That’s why at Zannier Hotels we humbly try to limit our impact on the environment and local communities as much as possible, from conception to operation.
Zannier Hotels Le Chalet
Founded in 2011 by Arnaud Zannier, Zannier Hotels now comprises five luxury hotels: Phum Baitang in Siem Reap in Cambodia, Bãi San Hô in Phu Yen in Vietnam, the two Namibian hotels Omaanda in Windhoek East and Sonop in Namib Desert, as well as Le Chalet in Megève in the French Alps. The latter is the perfect place to spend cold days, snuggle up and enjoy time in front of the fireplace. With a view of the Mont Blanc mountains, you can stay in rustic alpine rooms, relax in the midst of dark wood and light-colored furniture and unwind in front of a crackling fire after a day on the slopes.
Zannier Hotels Le Chalet, 367 route du Crêt, 74120 Megève, France, zannierhotels.com
