Taking a break seems impossible when faced with a packed schedule. The days fly by, and at the end of the week, we realize they’ve slipped by without us even a moment to pause. How often do we fantasize about letting go of “musts” and focusing on “wants”? While it’s usually a personal decision, there are places that can be incredibly helpful. One such place is the elegant Zannier Île de Bendor hotel, located on one of the most famous private islands on the French Riviera. Île de Bendor is a 7-hectare island, 700 meters long and 220 meters wide, nestled 300 meters off the coast of the seaside town of Bandol in Provence .
With the magic of the Mediterranean permeating every corner, it offers a relaxed and tranquil stay, to the rhythm of sun-warmed stones, the scent of wild herbs carried on the sea breeze, and afternoons that take on a golden hue from every vantage point. A picture-perfect setting designed to savor the Provençal art of living.
Rooms to maintain calm
At Zannier Île de Bendor, silence is paramount. So is the sense of tranquility, which permeates every one of its 93 rooms. While all share this harmonious concept, they each boast distinct styles: Delos, Soukana, and Madrague. The sophisticated glamour of the 1960s French Riviera is undeniable. It’s a favorite haunt of the jet set, a place to lose themselves in history. Nearby, you’ll find the swimming pool, a welcoming bar, and a high-profile restaurant.
Soukana , on the other hand, is located just steps from the wellness center and Neptune Garden. It invites you to reconnect with the island’s natural essence, allowing you to admire its beauty through outdoor activities , with the added bonus of being right on the seafront , wellness programs, and family time. Inside, neutral tones predominate , an important detail considering the calming effect this has on the human eye. It thus becomes a haven of tranquility, ideal for a relaxing holiday . The rooftop features a bar with the best views on the island, as well as a 30-meter swimming pool overlooking the bay and a fusion cuisine restaurant.
Madrague is a haven for those who love rustic- chic style . This area of the hotel is near the port and comprises five houses that exude Provençal charm in its most authentic form. Each house has its own private garden , making them ideal for further seclusion when seeking ultimate privacy.
Three restaurants, four bars, a cafe and a creperie
Holidays have that special charm that makes us lose track of time. That’s why we tend to have breakfast later, lunch even later, combine these two meals, snack between meals, have afternoon tea twice, and savor dinnertime. There’s no question about it. Food is a fundamental pillar of any getaway. Living up to its hotel standards, Zannier Île de Bendor offers several spaces for culinary enjoyment. Three restaurants, four bars, a café, and a crêperie, with options available all day, exceptional menus inspired by the Mediterranean, healthy juices, and handcrafted cocktails. Guests can also enjoy unique gastronomic experiences with guest chefs.
Options for every time of day
Day by day, a tribute to culinary conviviality is being built, to the pleasure of bringing together different tastes at the same table. Nonna Bazar is the village brasserie, its heart. It’s right in the center of the island and just a stone’s throw from the artisans’ village , which is also part of the Zannier Île de Bendor experience. Its menu, available daily for lunch and dinner, features Mediterranean dishes, and its atmosphere is welcoming.
Playa Nonna is another inspiring way to savor local cuisine. This concept is located next to the beach cove in the heart of the island. It boasts an open-air food and drink service right by the sea. Also open daily, it offers food and cocktails throughout the day. Upon arrival, you can kick off your shoes and relax on the sand for as long as you like or order a variety of vibrant snacks. Sunsets are best enjoyed on its spacious terrace, which can accommodate up to 60 guests.
Le Grand Large is the hotel’s gourmet offering , boasting sea views and a sophisticated Provençal ambiance. From its location, the Soukana restaurant (with a rooftop bar) offers a mindful pause, featuring healthy cuisine with a Vietnamese touch. It’s open daily for breakfast and dinner. Delos Table & Cocktail Bar, a gastronomic space open all day, embodies the chic atmosphere and glamour of the French Riviera in the 1960s. Its cuisine is refined, made with simple ingredients, and perfectly complemented by signature cocktails . It’s a club-style corner where you can unwind without pretense and witness legendary sunsets.
Rituals of well-being, intimacy and calm in their highest form
Well-being is no longer seen as something relegated to the end of the day or weekends, but rather as a permanent fixture in our lives. Achieving this blissful state of comfort seems like a distant dream when we’re overwhelmed by our obligations, but everything takes on a new dimension at the 1200-square-meter wellness center on Zannier Île de Bendor. It combines modern methods with ancestral practices with a single goal: to restore the body’s balance—the balance we lose when we unconsciously let go.
Within its facilities, you’ll find a hammam, a high-tech treatment room, indoor and outdoor pools, an outdoor yoga platform, a fitness center, and tennis and pickleball courts. The renowned hotel chain views well-being as the birth of balance. It maintains that when the body’s natural rhythms are gently restored, it helps preserve harmony and energy. Then, the stress of modern life is faced with a different philosophy. To achieve this, it has created Rēsonance , a unique wellness philosophy . In this pursuit of greater well-being, there is a preventative approach through bioresonance therapy, a gentle and non-invasive method based on electromagnetic frequencies.
It is used to assess each individual’s energy patterns and identify the first signs of imbalances in the body. From there, it offers simple, supportive measures to promote self-healing. This process may include subtle adjustments to lifestyle or diet, breathing exercises or stretching, stress-relief techniques, and treatments such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy, or naturopathy.
Experiences where everything flows
Île de Bendor is a small private island renowned for its history and bygone glamour. Bandol , a traditional village , is now synonymous with its coastal charm, picturesque harbor, and breathtaking vineyards. Against this backdrop, guests of Zannier Île de Bendor have a unique opportunity to explore the most beautiful landscapes of Provence, featuring vineyards, hilltop villages, lavender fields, and even the nearby French Riviera.
Other activities that allow you to fully enjoy the island include tennis, cycling, petanque in the town square, kayaking, paddle boarding , diving, sailing, sunset cruises along the streams, cooking workshops, simulators from F1, karting, scenic flights and legendary circuits, among others.
With its combination of nature, gastronomy, wellness, and Mediterranean spirit, Zannier Île de Bendor presents itself as a destination where luxury is understood differently: as the opportunity to reclaim time and surrender to the pleasure of doing nothing . As Arnaud Zannier, founder and CEO, says , “ Île de Bendor is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
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