The first gathering of Maisons Hôtelières
On October 7, 2025, Weeks Off hosted the very first Rencontres des Maisons Hôtelières in Paris. The evening brought together lively discussions, a cocktail reception, an awards ceremony, and the launch of a brand-new label. A look back at this inspiring and joy-filled event, in words and images.
The first gathering of Maisons Hôtelières
Launching a maison hôtelière means bringing together legal expertise, architectural vision, distinctive interior design, a sound business plan, and a genuine passion for hospitality. The evening opened with a series of presentations and testimonials from industry professionals: “Anticipating constraints and staying compliant,” led by urban planning lawyer Cécile Ferouelle; “Professionalizing your business: the business of boutique properties,” with Emmanuel Cazals of Fabel, founder of Maisons Fabel; “Designing, arranging, enhancing, and equipping your boutique property,” by the design duo Hauvette & Madani; and finally, “Experience first: how to create truly memorable stays for your guests,” shared by Julien Mathy-Maillot, proud owner of Chalet Viñales.
Next came the Weeks Off Press Awards. Earlier in the spring, to mark the release of the 52 Weeks Off guide, journalists specializing in design, architecture, and travel were invited to choose their favorite Weeks Off properties. Five categories were spotlighted: the most luxurious bathroom, the most spectacular pool, the most inviting nap corner, the most breathtaking view, and the most remarkable renovation. The winners were revealed during the evening.
Insights and experiences
from industry professionals
Anticipating constraints and staying compliant
by urban planning lawyer Cécile Ferouelle
Legal status, building permits, property use, extensions, renovations, planning law, construction date—many questions arise when transforming a property into a boutique hotel.
To guide new owners through this process, Cécile Ferouelle, planning law attorney and partner at Advant Altana, shared the essential legal steps to follow: from verifying a property’s legal status to changing its use or function, and addressing all related planning considerations.
Lawyer Cécile Ferouelle © Laura Strauss
Professionalizing your activity: the business of Maisons Hôtelières
by Emmanuel Cazals de Fabel
Emmanuel Cazals de Fabel. © Laura Strauss
From Biarritz to Le Touquet, Emmanuel Cazals founded Maisons Fabel, a collection of rental properties united by one common thread: the sea. His original vision was to treat the holiday home as a true collection—and to turn it into a profitable model.
Over time, Emmanuel has refined his expertise, balancing margin management, activity diversification, and seasonal strategy. His philosophy is clear: success in short-term rentals begins with the location, a prime setting, and the property’s unique character. Each home should tell a story through its décor, feature objects chosen for their soul rather than their price, and place special emphasis on visual impact.
On the communication side, he relies on a multichannel presence that includes local websites, tourist offices, social media, the press, and booking platforms. Lastly, pricing must remain flexible, constantly adapting to seasonal rhythms and traveler expectations.
“I’ve always chosen to be in highly attractive locations; I follow the sacred rule of location.” — Emmanuel Cazals, Fabel
For Emmanuel, investing is never something to be improvised. It begins with a well-defined budget and a clear understanding of each constraint, from the pool and number of bedrooms to the garden and potential extensions, all while respecting the property’s character and keeping renovation costs in check. On the financial side, he promotes a pragmatic approach: a solid business plan, carefully calculated margins from the start, and a strong grasp of banking relationships and required capital.
On a daily basis, management is just as strategic: welcoming guests, overseeing maintenance, building reliable partnerships with service providers, and setting smart, flexible pricing for services such as cleaning and linen rental, all in tune with seasonal demand and local events.
Finally, Emmanuel stresses the importance of diversification. Seminars, photoshoots, wellness retreats, or private events can all enhance profitability, provided you stay hands-on and avoid outsourcing every aspect to external providers.
Designing, arranging, enhancing, and equipping your maison hôtelière
by Hauvette & Madani
“A maison hôtelière brings together everything we love: the comfort of a hotel and the warmth of home.” Building on this beautiful paradox—feeling at ease in a place where you’re only passing through, yet which must appeal to everyone—Hauvette & Madani shared their vision of what makes a rental home truly special.
Inspired by the classical theater’s “three unities”—place, time, and action—they reimagine the home as a stage where guests actually want to return.
First, the place: in a hotel, you sleep between outings. In a maison hôtelière, you live, linger, and take your time. Spaces should be generous, inviting, and comfortable, ideally with a bathroom for every bedroom. Above all, they must have a soul, striking the right balance between the intimacy of a home and the welcoming spirit of a hotel.
Hauvette & Madani. © Laura Strauss
“A maison hôtelière is everything we love, a place where you feel at home while enjoying all the experiences you cherish in a hotel.” — Hauvette & Madani
“In a classical tragedy, time unfolds over twenty-four hours. In a boutique property, it’s quite the opposite: time expands, stays lengthen, and you truly take the time to live.” From this idea, Hauvette & Madani design homes where every corner has meaning—a chair for reading, a bench for conversation, a nook for dreaming. Everything is thoughtfully created to invite guests to slow down and linger.
And just as in classical theater, where a single action drives the play, their approach is built around one central thread, a guiding idea that runs through the entire project. This sense of coherence gives the home its harmony and its tone, that of a place where you simply feel at ease.
Experience first: How to create memorable stays for your guests
by Julien Mathy-Maillot
Julien Mathy-Maillot. © Laura Strauss
During his talk, Julien Mathy-Maillot, chef and owner of Chalet Viñales, shared his vision of the guest experience: a true journey that begins long before travelers arrive and continues well after they leave. For him, a successful experience is first and foremost a matter of coherence — aligning the host’s values with the spirit of the place.
Through his guest table, he cultivates a spirit of true hospitality, centered on sharing, conviviality, and connection. His aim is to rekindle genuine human interaction, understand each guest’s expectations, and express his own values through the experience. This philosophy inspires him to create distinctive stay formats, far from standardized rentals, while maintaining a thoughtful balance between cost, value, and personalized guidance to encourage a more human-centered way of traveling.
The press awards
Before summer, journalists specializing in design, architecture, and travel were invited to choose their favorite Weeks Off properties. Five categories were highlighted: the most luxurious bathroom, the most cinematic pool, the most inviting nap corner, the most breathtaking view, and the most remarkable renovation. And here are the big winners:
Most luxurious bathroom: Le Moulin in the Perche, an elegant country house designed by the studio Hauvette & Madani.
Most cinematic pool: Les Hauts de Gordes, featuring a two-level pool with spectacular views over Gordes and the Luberon massif, created by Iconic House.
Most inviting nap corner: Casa Santa Teresa, a 1958 villa on the beachfront along the Route des Sanguinaires in Ajaccio, renovated in 2019 by Amélia Tavella and Stéphanie Caron, offering a peaceful, waterside retreat.
Most breathtaking view: Casa Di Legna in Corsica, a wooden villa envisioned by architect Gilles Terrazzoni and interior designer Angélique Buisson.
Most surprising renovation: Goudes Mood in Marseille, a charming fishermen’s cabin revitalized by its inspired owners.
The stunning pool at Les Hauts de Gordes in the Luberon.
Our (amazing)
partners
The evening wouldn’t have been the same without our wonderful partners, to whom we extend our warmest thanks: Lorgeril Vins & Domaines, Maison Giulia, Brussels Beer Project, and Kodama for their delightful drinks; Kalios for the generous Greek buffet and take-home olive oil; Bonsoirs for the life-size room setup and thoughtful gifts; Refyld for the complimentary cosmetics; Melho for their inspiring booth; and La Cristallerie for their outstanding hospitality.
A taste of Greece at La Cristallerie thanks to Kalios. © Laura Strauss
