Q: For those who might not know the Zannier name, how would you describe the experience of staying in one of your properties?
A: At Zannier Hotels, our mission is to offer unique stays and experiences that inspire ‘Life’s Greatest Stories’.
Our hotels are a celebration of simplicity, a return to the simple pleasures of life, with a deep appreciation for adventure, gastronomy and nature.
We strive to evoke emotions and create lasting memories by inviting guests to embark on a multi-sensory journey that resonates with the spirit of each destination.
Each of our locations have a soul. They embody the essence of its surroundings, offering enriching exchanges with local traditions, cultures and communities.
Today, we embrace a collection of five properties and six private estates in Europe, Africa and Asia, with two more exciting projects on the horizon, including Bendor set to open by spring 2026.
Q: Luxury travel seems to be enjoying a boom at the moment. Are you seeing this in your hotels and what do you put this down to?
A: Post-pandemic, travel preferences have shifted. People now seek more indulgent experiences, favouring longer, more exclusive trips over frequent, shorter getaways.
We read this as a desire for deeper, more meaningful travel experiences. Travelers are more in search of exclusivity, privacy and uniqueness, and therefore tend to discover secondary destinations, stay in smaller hotels and expect more of a personalised welcoming.
Guests want more simplicity and I believe that standardisation of service offers is no more the rule. Zannier Hotels responds to those needs, offering a new vision of the luxury hospitality industry, with a way of living free of all pretentions.
Our properties are very popular, I guess, because they combine authenticity, simplicity and genuine luxury with discreet tailored service.
Q: Why is the Australian market important to you?
A: Australians are known for being high spenders and well-educated travellers who value sustainability, authenticity and immersive holiday experiences – principles that align perfectly with our own at Zannier Hotels.
Their appreciation for meaningful travel, coupled with the proximity to Vietnam and Cambodia, where our two resorts are located, make Australia an ideal market for us.
Q: In a competitive market like hospitality, what do you think sets Zannier apart from the competition?
A: I believe what sets us apart is our forward-thinking approach to luxury hospitality, combining simplicity with luxury. We prioritise authenticity and independence, offering a more personal and immersive experience through our human-scale, sustainably designed properties.
Unlike traditional ostentatious luxury, we focus on a humble yet refined hospitality, where each staff member’s personality, local heritage and stories enhance the guest experience.
Our distinctive locations, inspired by their natural beauty and local communities, and our in-house design studio ensure a cohesive and authentic concept throughout.
In short, it’s our unique combination of personal touch, authenticity, sustainability and thoughtful design that differentiates us from the competition.
Q: Are travel agents still an important part of your promotional strategy?
A: Absolutely. They bring a personal touch to travel planning, offering valuable advice and allowing customisation. Having often experienced our products first hand, they are well-equipped to provide expert advice and tailored recommendations to our guests.
Q: Experiential travel and giving back to the local community is also on trend. What are some of the activities and experiences visitors can enjoy at your properties?
A: At our properties, visitors can deeply engage with local culture and traditions through a range of immersive experiences.
At Zannier Hotels, we strive to promote cultural immersion and to build a sustainable win-win relationship with local communities.
Guests might participate in traditional activities like rice cake cooking, rice planting or cooking classes featuring Khmer or Vietnamese cuisine and explore unique craftsmanship such as handmade jewellery from the San Tribe in Namibia.
At the Zannier Reserve, our conservation efforts protect wildlife while also supporting the local community. Our commitment to ethical practices is reflected in our partnerships with brands like Mavros and Hemp Oi.
Our sustainability initiatives include donating approximately 20kg of used soap per trimester to the ECO Soap Bank who repurpose it into new soap bars which are distributed to Cambodian families in need.
We also repurpose food waste for local farmers with 20kg collected each day for their pigs in Vietnam.
We also support community empowerment through free English classes (700 hours last year at Bãi San Hô), regular donations to local orphanages (creation of the Zannier Holybaby Foundation), road maintenance projects and environmental education actions (cleaning days, plastic pollution sensitisation tours), ensuring our practices foster meaningful connections and preserve cultural and environmental heritage.
Q: Finally, might we see a Zannier property in Australia one day?
A: We certainly hope so! Our brand is evolving rapidly and we have ambitious plans for the future with a desire to open more hotels and be present in all continents.
We are committed to continue our growth through management contracts and we are always open to exploring new projects.
Australia is particularly appealing to us by ticking lots of boxes, including amazing landscapes, its rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of welcoming.
