Family
A Former Holiday Vamp Refurbished by the Co-director of the Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet Chain
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Marie Sibuet and Maxime Levotre, Victor 4 years old, Juliette 4 months old
Along with her brother, Nicolas, she’s part of the second generation of a family venture born here in Megève! Marie Sibuet, daughter of entrepreneurs Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet, is the co-director of the Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet chain. “A style as much as a way of life,” promoted by their families for over 30 years, with establishments ranging from the Alps to Provence and the Caribbean. 6 exceptional establishments alongside rental properties, restaurants, a cosmetics brand and a winery, all part of a collection that combines “authentic decoration, well-being and, above all, the art of hospitality.” A success story for which Marine, Nicolas’s partner, and Maxime, Marie’s husband, now work. And who have welcomed us today to visit a recently refurbished former holiday camp, which is also their family home, and, like the hub of their business, located at the foot of the Jaillet range. A mountain life that allows these hoteliers to enjoy both their personal and professional endeavours in the heart of nature. These two aspects of their lives work in harmony wherever possible, with an interior that’s a joyful place to live where friends gather around the kitchen bar to “quickly reply to an email in between two bottle feeds”. And where we also find the signature Sibuet style! Elitis Fabrics and furniture that has been collected, made to measure by their carpenter or bought from local brands. The whole creates an ambience that resembles them – a chalet-style look livened up with modern twists. A highly personal style that, like their establishments, refuses to adhere to a particular fashion trend!
Location
Megève
Author
Caroline Balvay
Photographer
Constance Gennari
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TSF
Marie, Maxime: can you introduce yourselves?
Marie
I’m mum to Juliette and Victor, as well as the director of Maisons Sibuet. I’m passionate about the history of hotels and always on the lookout for new experiences for our clients! I’m always looking for inspiration. I love to travel, go out, dine and discover new places with my family.
Maxime
I’m from Lyon. I manage Les Chalets des Fermes, recently converted into chalet rentals with a hotel service provided by Les Fermes de Marie. I changed my life two years ago to settle in Megève with my family. We were selected as one of the most beautiful chalet rental services in Megève; a great accolade to add to our hotel service in general.
TSF
Marie, you’re the daughter of entrepreneurs Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet, who head the Maisons et Hôtels Sibuet, which have been going for over 30 years. Can you tell us more?
Marie
My parents started in the hotel business from scratch more than 30 years ago and developed their brand in Megève, followed by the Luberon, Saint Tropez and more recently in Saint Barth in the Caribbean. They have developed much more than just a hotel group, they have created a lifestyle, combining authentic decoration, well-being and above all the art of hospitality. Our hotels are homes from home, where the friendliness of our teams is our hallmark. My brother and I took over the management of the family business in 2014. We’ve continued to develop it with the opening of new establishments in the Alps, before refocusing on dream destinations, where we devote ourselves as hoteliers and continue our quest for authentic experiences.
TSF
How did you develop in this field, in this family framework?
Marie
I grew up in hotels. It was the best training! I’ve always been involved with the world of gastronomy, decoration and managing people. My brother and I were immersed in the hospitality industry and my parents always involved us in the running of their hotels. My brother very quickly followed in my father’s footsteps with a passion for architecture and renovation. For me, it’s more the art of hospitality and the customer experience that interests me.
TSF
Today, what role do you hold within the group?
Marie
I manage the group with my brother. My role is quite varied. There’s a wealth of professions involved in running hotels: marketing, communication, sales strategy, but also people management, gastronomy, cosmetics: the subjects are broad and exciting too! The diversity of locations is also interesting, ranging from the mountains to Provence, from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean. These are vastly different places with fascinating encounters to be had. Combined with the constant challenges of listening to our clients’ needs, remaining rooted in our convictions by creating places that resemble us while keeping the very personalized Sibuet brand on course and never falling into the fashion trap. This is illustrated by restaurant menus that we like, the furniture found by the family, fabrics chosen with care… to create ambiances where each of our guests will feel at home.
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We’re here in Megève at the foot of Jaillet! Our house is a former summer camp that we recently refurbished.
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TSF
You have never stopped working as a family. Why?
Marie
As a child, I didn’t think I would join my parents, and finally, it just happened. Today I’ve found my vocation. My husband Maxime also joined us, and my brother’s partner Marine too. We complement each other, and it’s rewarding to work together. As for my children, no pressure, they can do whatever they fancy! But we all get the chance to experience a multitude of activities whether artistic, cultural or even agricultural.
TSF
We’re here, at your place. Tell us about your home.
Marie
We’re here in Megève at the foot of Jaillet! Our house is a former summer camp that we recently refurbished. The heart of our business is in Megève with our three hotels, the grocery store and our business’s support services, which allow us to manage the whole group: human resources, marketing, Pure Altitude – our cosmetics brand – but also the reservations department. Hence, our decision to live in Megève! It’s a town that’s lively all year round; living in the heart of nature while developing our professional life is a real opportunity.
TSF
How did you furnish and decorate it?
Marie
We mixed vintage furniture with furniture made to measure by our carpenter, the objective being to have something cosy but with little modern twists. We don’t want the same things for a holiday home and a house where we live all year round! For the hotels, I selected Elitis fabrics with which I love to work, alongside a local decor brand, Angel des Montagnes. We have numerous pieces from Atelier 55, a gallery specialising in bargain-hunted collectable designs and furniture creation. One of my favourite pieces: a handmade Italian sideboard in lacquered glass and brass with shades of terracotta.
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TSF
What does this place say about you?
Marie
It’s a home to welcome friends, it’s very bright and easy to live in! The kitchen extends into a bar where you can spend wonderful evenings happily sharing large platters of cheese and great wines. We work a lot but also like to spend time with our children, so there are quite a few “little corners” in the apartment where we can sit down to answer an email between feeds and a game of “Who Am I?”. (Laughs)
TSF
Being one of the main players in Megève, what are the go-to places – any recommendations?
Marie
For a timeless lunch Sous le Freddy, a small restaurant on the slopes where you can eat the best potato fritters. L’Épicerie des Fermes, our grocery store in the centre of town, which also stocks a great selection of cheeses (my passion). Scarlett to browse their selection of books, Chez Olivia for a pancake (after a carriage ride of course!) and Gribouillis, a children’s shop with accessories and furniture that we love.
TSF
For you The Socialite Family is…?
Marie
Portraits of inspiring families, men and women who combine their professional and family lives but above all love what they do!
TSF
Where will we find you in the coming months?
Marie
In Ménerbes for the launch of our new Mas, Le Mas Vermentino, located in our wine estate in the Luberon! A 6-bedroom farmhouse in the middle of vineyards and olive trees that we’ll rent out with the services of La Bastide de Marie. We’ll live there before the start of the summer to sort out the finishing touches to the house before renting it out to families looking for a holiday home where life is good!
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We mixed vintage furniture with furniture made to measure by our carpenter, the objective being to have something cosy but with little modern twists.
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