ICONIC FRENCH CULINARY BRAND IS SLOWLY RISING INTO THE HOTEL SPACE BEHIND A CEO ANXIOUS TO REALIZE A GLOBAL VISION .
by JEFF WEINSTEIN , EDITOR IN CHIEF
in Xian , China . In early January , Chauvin , whose luxury brand experience included a 10-year stint ( 2000-2010 ) as director general of Relais & Châteaux , was close to getting deals done in Tokyo and was having very good discussions in Istanbul . He was also in advanced discussion for a residence license in Dubai and is working on a glamorous , artisanal and not-too-big resort concept .
While the plan at one point was to target major metros like New York City and London , bigger picture today the targets for Fauchon Hospitality are evolving to secondary cities like Nashville , Tennessee or Munich , Germany . “ It ’ s about curating 20 cities around the world where it is worth celebrating the art of Fauchon ,” he says .
Chauvin added that Fauchon ’ s game is about finding what he calls the perfect triangle – good investor , good operator and they have the good brand . “ We ’ ve even partnered with Aimbridge Hospitality , which has officially endorsed our concept , and they are ready to promote the brand to investors .”
Fauchon has also been working with Chicago-based Gettys Group to hone the concept for a U . S . audience not too familiar with the Fauchon culinary empire . “ They ’ ve been very generous in their exchange of advice to slightly adapt the concept .”
Perhaps Chauvin is also seeing traction because his culinary-focused hotels have found a unique niche which attracts developers and operators . Early results at the inaugural owned and operated property in Paris and the second in Kyoto
HE [ MICHEL DUCROS ] KEEPS TELLING ME , ‘ KEEP GOING .’ AND WHEN THERE IS A CRISIS , IT IS THE BEST TIME TO DO MANY THINGS THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO IN NORMAL TIMES – LIKE INVESTING . IT ’ S A GREAT TIME FOR RENOVATING IT , IT ’ S A GREAT TIME FOR TRAINING .
– JACQUES-OLIVIER CHAUVIN
Suites at Fauchon ( Kyoto here ) have dining tables and place a big emphasis on the minibar where guests are encouraged to sample products for free .
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