Zannier Hotels has announced its appointment to manage and operate the Ricard family’s French private island resort. The brand will lead the redesign of Île de Bendor, which is set to officially launch in 2026 and will include the opening of Zannier Hotels Bendor.
Following a competitive tender for the contract of land, Zannier Hotels was selected by the Ricard family to bring a new lease of life to the island, which pastis pioneer Paul Ricard acquired 70 years ago. Over the next three years, Île de Bendor, which faces the city of Bandol in Provence, will undergo a large transformation, with renovations seeing the six-hectare island emerge as a Provençal-style village rooted in the island’s old-world glamour.
The island will be home to an array of restaurant, bar and social spaces – including the second outpost of Nonna Bazaar, the immersive dining concept launched by Zannier Hotels in Menorca last year – alongside a beach club, artisan village and a holistic wellness offering and spa. The Ricard family, Hardel Le Bihan Architectes, Niez Studio Paysagistes and Zannier Hotels will oversee all aspects of the island’s evolution, including architectural, landscaping and interior design decisions.
“For this exceptional project, very meaningful to the Ricard family and entirely financed by the holding, we took the time to select the best possible partner,” explains Marc de Jouffroy, Board Member of Société Paul Ricard. “Given that the property will remain under our family, we wanted to ensure that the partner we chose to embark on this journey with was completely aligned to the ethos and vision of our founding father, Paul Ricard. We chose Zannier Hotels because they perfectly understood the soul of Île de Bendor, and because our family shares their approach to luxury, valuing authenticity, simplicity, and emotion. We are convinced that, together, we will restore Île de Bendor to its former glory and make it one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean.”
Zannier Hotels Bendor, the 93-key hotel set to add to the island’s abundant offerings, will be the sixth property in the Zannier Hotels portfolio, with the brand currently operating hotels across France, Cambodia, Namibia and Vietnam.
Arnaud Zannier, founder of Zannier Hotels comments: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Ricard family on this pioneering project highlighting the magical island of Bendor, set to become the Zannier Hotels European flagship. At Zannier Hotels, we are committed to creating individually exceptional and truly unique projects around the world, rooted in artisan-led design, gastronomic heritage, sustainable development and one-of-a-kind experiences – from life-enhancing wellness to meaningful cultural connection – and Zannier Hotels Bendor will be no exception, encompassing all of these values.”
The upcoming launch of Zannier Hotels Bendor and the transformed island will occur as the brand continues to make its mark beyond the hotel space, following the recent launch of Zannier Private Estates, a collection of private homes in France, Portugal and Menorca, with another set to open in Mauritius later this year.
