A private island off the southern coast of France has been transformed into a high-end wellness destination, as Zannier Hotels unveils its latest project aimed at blending holistic health, luxury accommodation and Mediterranean dining.
The new retreat, Zannier Île de Bendor, is located on Bendor Island, a short boat ride from the Provençal coastal town of Bandol. The 93-key property opened in May following a five-year redevelopment that restored and reimagined parts of the island that had fallen into disrepair.
Once purchased in 1950 by French entrepreneur Paul Ricard as a cultural and leisure escape, the island has now been repositioned as a wellness-focused sanctuary. The redevelopment preserves elements of Ricard’s original vision while introducing modern health technologies and curated wellbeing programmes.
At the centre of the experience is a personalised approach to health known as Rēsonance, which uses bioresonance scanning technology to assess guests’ physical and energetic balance. Based on the results, practitioners design individualised plans covering movement, nutrition and therapeutic treatments.
Arnaud Zannier, founder of Zannier Hotels, said the concept is designed to help guests build awareness of their bodies and restore internal balance. He described the approach as a guided journey rather than a traditional spa experience, focusing on long-term wellbeing rather than short-term relaxation.
Accommodation on the island is divided into three distinct styles. The Madrague Houses offer rustic Provençal-inspired living in converted fishermen’s cottages, each with private gardens and split-level interiors. The Delos rooms and suites draw inspiration from the glamour of the 1960s French Riviera, featuring sea views and open-plan layouts. The Soukana suites and rooms are positioned near the wellness centre and are designed for guests seeking quiet, restorative stays.
Wellness programming is a key part of the retreat. Five tailored pathways are available, ranging from digestive health and hormonal balance to emotional recovery, athletic performance and skin rejuvenation. Treatments combine traditional therapies such as massage and reflexology with practices including Qigong, sound healing, cryotherapy and LED skin treatments.
According to Élise Rimbaud, the resort’s naturopath and wellness director, each programme is designed to respond to individual needs identified during the initial consultation. She said the philosophy behind Rēsonance is based on understanding the body’s internal signals and supporting its natural capacity for balance.
Dining is also central to the experience. Guests can choose from multi-course tasting menus at Le Grand Large, casual beachfront dining at Nonna Beach, or Provençal-style meals at Café Paul Ricard overlooking the harbour. The culinary offering emphasises Mediterranean ingredients and seasonal preparation.
While overnight stays are available from around €815 per night in peak season, the island is also open to day visitors who wish to access its wellness facilities and dining spaces.
With its combination of personalised health programmes, design-led accommodation and coastal setting, Zannier Île de Bendor is positioning itself as a new entrant in Europe’s growing luxury wellness travel market.
