The Art of Hospitality: Why You Should Stay at a Zannier Hotels property
When I went to the University of Central Florida, the Rosen School of Hospitality (Rosen) would award its graduating students a Bachelor of Science. The university believed that hospitality was a science. Students would need to understand the chemistry of customer service, the anatomy of a theme park, and the physics of lodging to be an active part of the hospitality ecosystem.
I was not a student of Rosen. I was a member of the College of Arts and Humanities and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree studying History. But I think hospitality is as much an art as a science.
What makes a masterpiece? Is it the artist's intentionality or expert application of artistic principles? Does the piece's time or place of creation impact its artistic merit? Academics and critics argue that an artist's environment, thought processes, and application of artistic principles all contribute to a piece's legacy. But, I think the accurate measure of mastery is how the public understands the importance of the work of art. This extends to the art of hospitality.
In today's world, art is becoming ever rarer. Hospitality conglomerates churn out uniform hotels, mass-producing standardized experiences. You can enter a familiar room in the concrete jungle or the rain forest. It's scientific. It's formulaic. It's disconnected from its surroundings. So, where is the art?
Zannier Hotels creates hospitality masterpieces. Each property embraces its environment, blending thoughtful design, culture, and service to craft unforgettable experiences. From Europe to Africa to Asia, Zannier Hotels offers something truly unique. I spoke with Quentin Guiraud, Public Relations & Communication Manager, to discover why a stay at Zannier Hotels is unlike any other.
The Art of Hospitality: How Zannier Hotels Creates Unique Travel Experiences Interview
What makes Zannier Hotels different from hospitality companies?
Zannier Hotels stand out by offering guests a unique approach to luxury, where simplicity and comfort are central to our offer. Our hotels celebrate the return to simple pleasures and appreciate adventure, gastronomy, and nature. Echoing the spirit of its surroundings, each destination enraptures every sense, inviting our guests to experience enriching exchanges with local traditions, cultures, and communities.
We take a holistic perspective, looking at design, aesthetics, atmospherics, and service. We call it 'Simple Mastery'. The seamless language and connection run 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. In short, we try to inspire memories in all aspects of a hotel journey while offering a more humble luxury, away from the gold taps and marble decors we usually see in five-star hotels. The approach we initiated thirteen years ago - with human-scale properties offering a sense of aesthetic, authenticity, and comfort while respecting their surrounding environments - has now become the norm.
How has Zannier Hotels evolved since its founding?
Zannier Hotels is constantly trying to improve its offer and guest experiences. Our DNA has not changed over the last decade; we still offer our guests authentic experiences in timeless, pure interiors. However, we aim to increase the number of encounters we have with our guests and stakeholders. With our website's ongoing revamp and freshly launched app, we aim to offer our guests a more interactive way to explore new destinations, book their stays, and interact with Zannier Hotels.
Investing in these digital enhancements, we continue to meet the evolving expectations of our visitors. In parallel, we continue to enhance our list of offerings. Since the COVID pandemic, we have noted a significant increase in solo travelers and people aiming to travel with a purpose. Zannier Hotels are particularly appealing to modern travelers, not only because of their seclusion but also because of the authentic experiences we offer, such as learning how to plug harvest rice paddies at Zannier Phum Baitang. The revamp of our approach to wellbeing is another example of how we try to shape the future of luxury hospitality, going way beyond spa treatments and considering wellness in all aspects of the guest experience. Our two Asian resorts are implementing the new approach, which will become a group standard from the opening of Zannier Bendor in May 2026.
How does Zannier Hotels incorporate its mission and vision into its services?
Zannier Hotels' mission can be summarized as "each one-of-a-kind stay is curated to empower a meaningful and lifelong connection to the local culture and community in every place we touch."
Our vision since the beginning was 'simplicity' through timeless, authentic design and a return to life's simple pleasures, echoing the purity of the surrounding nature. 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 been - and always will be - 'tactile.' We strive to replicate our signature 'brand feel and 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 travelers seek experiences that align with their values, such as exploration, cultural discovery, and evoking a sense of wonder. This has been the core of our DNA since day one.
In practice, we offer many experiences and activities connecting with the local community, such as artisans demonstrations, local cuisine cooking classes, or food market tours. Through our progressive hospitality, we pursue a long-term vision: to protect and preserve the distinctive identities of every place we touch. Our hotels draw their energy from a local and diverse range of talent. We promote exchanges with local cultures, crafts, and traditions by fostering connection and conservation.
What advice would you give to students and young professionals who want to enter hospitality?
At Zannier Hotels, we love to inspire others. Ensure you're passionate about the environment in which you will be evolving. It is best to have a work climate aligned with your vision of travel to deliver a service that can bring emotion to guests. Once you have entered the hospitality sector, always prioritize customer experience. Try to exceed expectations and create personal experiences that will bring lifelong memories.
The base of a successful hospitality business is happy guests. It is always a good idea to give presents to your guests. Always be transparent to your guests. For instance, at Zannier Hotels, we often showcase behind-the-scenes on our social media channels. Building strong relationships is one of our top priorities, not only with our guests but also with our staff. This starts with transparency.
What is the future of the company?
Zannier Hotels will continue to grow at a rapid pace. We are targeting projects primarily under management contracts. We are naturally evaluating new projects, aiming to open one property each year. For 2026, the group is pursuing European expansion with the opening of Zannier Bendor in May 2026, an outstanding 7-hectare private island with a Provencal-style vibe that will feature a 93-room hotel and eight F&B outlets together with several recreational areas. Another property is also in the pipeline, with the opening of Zannier Zardun in Saudi Arabia, a new luxury eco-resort of 100 rooms located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Our journey and desire to share unforgettable moments continues with future projects in Europe, the USA, and the Middle East.
Thank you, Quentin Guiraud, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to discuss how Zannier Hotels continues to innovate in the art and science of hospitality.
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