Private island Île de Bendor to reopen in spring under Zannier Hotels management

Zannier Bendor – the latest property from Zannier Hotels – is set to open on the private French Riviera island of Île de Bendor in spring 2026.

The island, previously owned by inventor of French spirit pastis Paul Ricard, has undergone a five-year transformation, with the aim of becoming the “social, culinary and wellness capital of the French Riviera”.

The 93-key property will be divided into three locations: 39-key Delos in the classic 1960s French Riviera style; 49-key wellness-focused Soukana; and five Madrague houses each with a private garden near the harbour.

Eight dining venues will be spread across the “Provençal-style village” resort, including the second iteration of Nonna Bazaar multi-sensory lifestyle and restaurant concept, gastronomic Le Grand Large with sea views and Asian-fusion spot Soukana Restaurant. A creperie will also be on offer.

There will also be four bars, including poolside venue Delos and a rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean.

The resort’s 1,200-square-metre spa aims to be “one of the largest spas in the region”, with a wellbeing centre providing treatments incorporating traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy, naturopathy and nutrition advice alongside classic massage and facial treatments.

There will also be eight treatment rooms including a honeymoon massage suite with private spa, as well as an indoor and outdoor pool, hammam, meditation area, yoga and reformer Pilates studio, fitness centre, tennis court and three pickleball courts.

Elsewhere on the island will be a cove and diving centre to explore the nearby landscapes.

Ricard’s great-grandson Marc de Jouffroy, who was involved in the development, said: “It is with great emotion that we finalise the rebirth of Bendor, and with pride that we entrust ‘Paul Ricard’s miniature world’ to Zannier Hotels, whose vision for hospitality is fully in line with our ambition to elevate Bendor to the rank of one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean.”

Zannier Bendor will be the sixth property from Zannier Hotels, with the brand already running five hotels, resorts and lodges around the world: Le Chalet in France; Phum Baitang in Cambodia; Bãi San Hô in Vietnam; and Omaanda and Sonop, both in Namibia.