Credit: Société Paul Ricard

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
– Marc de Jouffroy, MD, Société Paul Ricard

Zannier Île De Bendor, a new island retreat, has been unveiled off the south coast of Bandol in Provence, France, with a wellness concept called Rēsonance.

The 93-key destination has reopened after a five-year transformation, set across three areas. Luxury hospitality operator Zannier Hotels has worked with the family-owned holding and operating company Société Paul Ricard to modernise and restore the property.

The destination was bought by French entrepreneur Paul Ricard in 1950, where he created a social and cultural hub. Société Paul Ricard is now managed by the Ricard family and its MD, Marc de Jouffroy, Paul Ricard’s great-grandson.

The three distinct restored areas on the island have been designed by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and the interiors are by Zannier Design Studio. The different offerings are as follows:

• 39-key Delos, which has been designed to evoke the spirit of the 1960s French Riviera.
• 49-key Soukana, which is a site that is focused on wellbeing and reconnection.
• Five two-storey houses that used to be home to the island’s fishermen make up the Madrague accommodation proposition.

Marc de Jouffroy 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.”

Rēsonance

The property’s new wellness concept, Rēsonance, draws inspiration from bioresonance – the wellbeing assessment technology that is said to map the body’s energetic and physiological state. 

The spa features six single and two double treatment rooms. It has a multipurpose therapy room for cryotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy and dry needling.

Other areas include a hammam, cold bath, mud bath, Iyashi dome, tea room, relaxation area and area for balneotherapy. 

Skincare partners for treatments include science-driven Augustinus Bader, emotional and sensorial practice-led company Medatif and botanical ritual brand Apoticari.

There is also a yoga deck and studio for reformer Pilates. In terms of other fitness, there’s a gym, tennis court and three pickleball courts.

Programming

The wellness offering includes activations that are structured around four pillars: wellbeing, spa, movement and nutrition.

There are five signature wellness programmes that guests can choose from for their stay. Each one begins with an in-depth consultation, 3D skin analysis, a Visbody composition assessment and a personalised cryotherapy guide. 

The programmes are as follows:

• Florea – Designed for digestive harmony, this journey focuses on supporting the microbiome through abdominal massage, reflexology and naturopathy consultations. Workshops are on offer for abdominal breathing, digestive nutrition and castor oil therapy. A treatment that uses a warm green clay wrap and massage, called the Terra ritual, is recommended during this pathway.
• Serena – This experience has been curated to help guests let go of stress. The programme’s central feature is Aqua Rēsonance, an aquatic ritual inspired by Watsu and Atma Janzu. A botanical massage called the Epicure Ritual and the Serenity Escape Facial are treatments designed to complement this programme. Breathwork, yoga nidra, Qi Gong and aerial yoga are also part of the experience.
• Harmonia – Kundalini yoga, somatic practices and specialist therapies are part of this programme to support hormonal vitality and balance. Therapies include a Womb Méditatif massage.
• Maestria – This pathway combines sports massage, deep tissue therapy, osteopathy, cryotherapy and targeted training for a performance-based experience.
• Lumea – Beauty is the priority for this programme. It includes Augustinus Bader facials, Apoticari treatments, LED therapy and Iyashi Dome sessions.