Ronald Homsy, Co-founder & CEO Utopian Hotel Collection
With 39 hotels currently in the portfolio, and growing rapidly, the hotels are characterized by a youthful mindset, intriguing stories and their playful characters. Every property reflects the importance of seamless technology and goes that extra mile to guarantee memorable and authentic experiences for their guests.
Gone are the days when luxury simply equaled opulence. Based on a recent American Express consumer survey, 72 percent of people would rather spend money on experiences; with travelers now seeking more than just exceptional service, fittings, and furnishings. The launch of Utopian Hotel Collection is pioneering this industry shift and the move away from old school luxury, to one which focuses on one-off authenticity, openness and the verve of youth.
From fig-picking in Europe’s biggest fig plantation, which sits on the Hotel Furnirussi Tenuta’s doorstep in Pulliga, Italy, to a stay in the Salvador Dali Suite at the Hotel Vistabella in the Cosa Brava, Spain; there are unforgettable and wondrous experiences to be found in all Utopian hotels. Art lovers will be able to admire some of the finest art collections at The Emblem Hotel Prague and guests are also invited to display their artwork within the hotel.
Amenities
Guests staying at Le Grand Bellevue Hotel in Gstaad, Switzerland during the summer months have the option to be whisked away for a spot of heli-yoga; the perfect activity for those that want to channel their inner Zen, but also get their adrenalin racing whilst soaking up the panoramic mountain views. Located in Crans-Montana, the Hotel Chetzeron is a former gondola station which guests can only reach by foot, ski, snowmobile or snowcat; the ultimate arrival experience. Guests staying at the Park Hotel Vitznau can explore Lake Lucerne on the hotel’s very own boat which doesn’t require a license; while oenophiles can fully immerse themselves in the world of wine with a private tasting or a tour with the sommelier through the hotel’s six wine cellars which hold 32,000 bottles.
Other fun-packed adventures range from horseback rides through the vineyards, ancient dams and winding rivers of São Lourenço do Barrocal’s 780-hectare estate, to snorkeling and diving amongst underwater limestone caves and ancient archaeological ruins in Montenegro’s azure waters surrounding the Chedi Lustica Bay; there are unforgettable experiences to be found in all Utopian Hotels. Guests staying at La Maison Bleue El Gouna can take a private yacht trip to an uninhabited island for lunch; whilst the urban vegetable garden on the rooftop of Le Brach, Paris is the ultimate place to plant, pick and eat the freshest ingredients whilst enjoying homemade cocktails in front of the Eiffel Tower. From a full-moon yoga class at Seven Pines, Ibiza, to romantic boat trips through Bruges for those staying at the Van Cleef Hotel, every Utopian guest has the opportunity to create the most authentic memories at each hotel. Those looking for the most refined luxury can experience illustrious wine tastings in Bordeaux during their visit to the YNDO Hotel, whilst guests staying at Almanac Barcelona can request a personal training session with one of the city’s top fitness coaches with the help of their complimentary smartphone provided at check-in.
The founders
Founded by Paul Cordier and Ronald Homsy, Utopian Hotel Collection represents and markets a collection of independent boutique hotels. The collection offers hotels a booking platform and membership services, which include marketing, public relations, sales, distribution, reputation management, revenue management and other consulting services.
Commenting, Ronald Homsy, co-founder of Utopian Hotel Collection said, “As the hotel industry grows fiercer, operators of various-sized establishments grapple to find the most suitable strategies to accommodate the largest possible number of guests. The problem is further compounded as online travel agencies (OTAs) such as Expedia monopolize 3rd party booking services, while demanding a 25-30 percent fee that eats into the hotels’ bottom line. This leaves independent hotels struggling for market share, not to mention the right kind of exposure that would generate necessary traffic. To that end, we employed a custom-tailored model based on five core principles, namely, the story of the institution, the element of adventure, the service team, seamless integration and playfulness. By 2023 we would have become a global brand with hotels in 5 continents. As for the Middle East, we have just signed the Merchant House in Bahrain and are in final discussion with another property in Beirut. What sets our service apart, lays in promoting the world’s best-kept secrets in luxury experiences and we are happy with what we have accomplished thus far.”
The team behind the collection has spent their lives in the hospitality industry, traveling the world and staying in over 1,000 hotels. On their journey, they’ve collected rich experiences that they believe will change the face of travel; unique to Utopian and individually designed to make every stay unforgettable. Once a property has the Utopian seal of approval, guests are guaranteed an authentic and world-class experience with a completely different energy than ever before.
Hotels in the collection
Le Burgundy, Yndo Hotel, Hotel Van Cleef, Le Grand Bellevue, HUUS Gstaad, São Lourenço do Barrocal, Sir Joan Hotel, Chetzeron, The Emblem Hotel, Hotel Vistabella, Marbella Club Hotel, Furnirussi Tenuta, D Maris Bay, Hotel Puente Romano, Katikies Hotel, Chromata Hotel, Nolinski Paris, Katikies Mykonos, Alpaga – Hotel & Chalets 5 étoiles Megève, Portrait Firenze, The Chedi Andermatt, Park Hotel Vitznau,, Nobu Hotel Marbella, La Maison Bleue El Gouna, Almanac Barcelona, Chedi Lustica Bay, Brach Paris, Principe Forte Dei Marmi, Punta Tragara, Palazzo Manfredi, Sir Victor Hotel, Seven Pines.
