3oud.com Interview with Michala Chatel, Managing Partner of Ultima

3oud.com interviewed Michala Chatel, Managing Partner of Ultima, a collection of ultra-luxury suites and residences located in the heart of the Alps and the Mediterranean. Michala Chatel oversees global operations, communications and management of the group. The group boasts prime locations in some of Europe's most popular ski and sunbathing destinations. These include: Gstaad, Megève, Crans-Montana, Geneva, Corfu, Courchevel, and Cannes.

At Ultima, a team of private chefs, hotel managers and spa specialists work to make each guest's experience as unique and idyllic as possible.

3oud.com met Michala Chatel and asked her some questions:

1. Can you share the distinct characteristics of each Ultima property’s selected location and what unique experiences they offer?

The bespoke offerings and personalised service at each of the Ultima Collection properties are a direct result of their exclusive and prime locations. We have meticulously chosen each property for its unique character and designed them impeccably in the signature Ultima style.

Ultima Gstaad, where it all began, boasts a pristine Alpine village setting, offering our guests the epitome of prime Swiss hospitality where their privacy is prioritised. Undoubtedly, it stands as one of the most exquisite properties in Switzerland and is in a city where there is no wrong time to visit, which is the reason we operate all year round. Likewise, Crans-Montana, with its incredible views and grandeur, the property is sure to leave you in awe.

Megève remains as one of the most picturesque alpine villages in the world, and Ultima Megève offers a mountain retreat like no other to help guests get away from the hustle of their busy lives. During the winter season, Ultima Courchevel Belvédère showcases uninterrupted views of the forested mountains, with ski-in ski-out residences that are every skier’s dream. Courchevel is the ski capital of the world, and it has lured passionate enthusiasts and the greatest skiers of the world to its slopes for almost a century. Luckily, Ultima Courchevel Belvédère is right on those Belvédère slopes. For those enamoured with sea views, Ultima Corfu is a dreamy waterfront villa that will steal the heart of anyone who visits it, with the property boasting 180-degree views of the Greek and Albanian coasts.

2. Can you provide insights into the brand's philosophy and vision behind creating unique and authentic stays?

We aspire to be the new era of craftsmanship, which encompasses all aspects of our collection, from our beautiful residences to our exceptional staff and exemplary signature services. Our vision is to be disruptive and distinctive, as we continue to emerge as a powerhouse in branded private residences, expanding our reach across Europe, whilst also elevating the traditional hospitality sector and setting the trends in tailored, luxury living.

At our core, we specialise in designing properties that are rich in character and situated in the world’s most exclusive and desirable destinations. We offer bespoke services tailored to every guest and maintain our commitment to sustainability throughout.

3. How did Ultima Collection evolve from being an award-winning hotel in Gstaad to a wider collection of luxury properties?

I’m proud to be a part of the evolution of our collection, where growth has been our common goal from day one. We started in 2016 with just one property in Gstaad, and since then, we have introduced multiple luxury properties across Europe and the Mediterranean.

Over time, we realised that our guests not only sought out the outstanding hospitality found in our properties, but also desired unique and exclusive experiences in other highly sought after destinations. This realisation further fuelled our drive to vigorously expand our portfolio, as we’re all about creating the concept of “luxury homes away from home” with Ultima’s signature design and services.

Consequently, this inspiration led us to broaden our vision and expand our portfolio with properties that reflect the same level of character and excellence as our renowned hotel in Gstaad. We continue to work as hard as we can to provide our guests with experiences they will cherish forever.

4. How does Ultima Collection curate and design its properties to reflect their natural surroundings and how does Ultima Collection incorporate the local culture and traditions into the guest experience?

At Ultima Collection, we take immense pride in curating and designing our properties to harmoniously blend with their natural surroundings, as one of our main objectives is to give authenticity to our projects by maintaining the architectural style of the destination. Our approach involves a deep appreciation for the unique landscapes and environments in which our properties are located, which has helped us portray the beauty of each destination.

We have become an integral part of the local community in each destination, working closely with tourism boards to ensure we support local economies and respect the beauty of the location, preserving its essence. At the same time, we strive to provide guests with experiences that showcase and celebrate the local heritage.

Our Group Development and Design Director, Chloé Roussel, has spearheaded the design of each property, using the finest materials to ensure that a beautiful narrative is told around each property. Our properties across the collection feature some unified design elements, such as the iconic Baccarat chandeliers; however, each property seamlessly integrates with its environment, each providing a unique experience whilst maintaining an ultra-luxury feel throughout.

5. Can you tell us more about the personalized experiences and culinary delights offered by Ultima Collection across their properties?

Personalisation is at the forefront of the “Ultima Experience”, combining unique and tailor-made experiences with services our clients wouldn’t find elsewhere. From house managers, private chefs, and butlers to airport transfers and chauffeur services, we are equipped to take care of each guests' every need. Moreover, we boast a team of wellness professionals, massage therapists, private fitness coaches, and physiotherapists ensuring guest’s experience is both unique, memorable, and beneficial to their overall health and wellbeing.

Additionally, culinary excellence awaits guests at all Ultima properties, with our private chef's irresistible dishes personalised for every guest’s liking as they get to work closely with each individual guest and understand their needs. For instance, talented Chef Andrea Franceschi at the Ultima Gstaad restaurant has curated a unique menu using seasonal ingredients to make each dish exceptional.

6. What is the significance of the art curated for the properties across Ultima Collection? Are the chosen collections intended to deliver a particular message or story?

We take immense pride in our curated art collections, which are unique to each property. Many of our guests are return guests; therefore, adapting to their changing preferences and evolving tastes is a priority.

We work with art galleries across London, Geneva, France and New York to pull pieces together, all of which are original artworks displayed across our properties. We consistently refresh the art collections at our properties with new pieces by new artists to provide somewhat of a new experience with each visit, and on recurring occasions, guests even request to purchase some of the art pieces on display.

7. How does Ultima prioritize wellness and sustainability in its services?

Wellbeing and sustainability are the core of Ultima Collection’s DNA. Each property has access to extensive wellness amenities and has been thoughtfully curated to reflect its natural surroundings.

We’ve placed a bigger focus on health and wellness in recent years, with experiences designed to help our guests embark on their individual journeys to enhance their long-term health, including the “Soul Revival Escape” at Ultima Corfu, “Recharge to the Full” at Ultima Gstaad, “The Ultimate Detox Experience” at Ultima Crans-Montana, and many more curated experiences across our properties.

Our commitment to sustainability extends from our surroundings to our communities and workplaces. Each property is designed to last and is created in harmony with its natural habitats, ensuring minimal disturbance.

Sustainable living lies at the heart of what we do, with biodegradable and sustainable materials used throughout each of our properties. Additionally, for every night a guest stays with us, we plant a tree, allowing us to contribute to the environment and help combat deforestation. As for our waterfront residences, we remove 1kg of plastic from the ocean for each night a guest stays at our properties.

8. How does Ultima Collection strive to provide a seamless and luxurious experience for its guests across all its properties? Are there any unique features or amenities that are consistently offered across the collection?

Across the collection, we always prioritise our guest experience and ensuring that it is unified across all properties and throughout the seasons. Driven by a passion for perfection, we consistently deliver unmatched hospitality services that exceed the needs and demands of the world’s most discerning guests.

We are committed to being proactive in meeting their desires, whether it's arranging unique experiences or providing exclusive privileges. No matter where you visit us around the world, you will always feel like you’re a part of one collection.

At Ultima, the wellbeing of our guests takes precedence. Our wellness amenities are prominent in all our properties, catering to every mood and age. From cigar lounges, billiards room, cinema, and arcade rooms at Ultima Crans-Montana to hill-top jacuzzi and infinity pools at Ultima Corfu, we strive to provide our guests with unique additions to their trip that will make their experience with us that much more memorable.

9. What sets Ultima Collection apart from other luxury hospitality brands?

Ultima Collection’s portfolio combines exemplary five-star service, along with the privacy and seclusion of a private residence, making it a very unique and tailored offering. The aim of our brand is to provide an ultra-luxury ‘home-away-from-home’ experience, allowing our guests to feel completely relaxed and at ease in our properties.

Authenticity, personalisation and exclusivity are usually what define “luxury” for most people, but we are always keen to exceed that. We believe that luxury lies in the flexibility we provide for guests to set the frequency, choose their preferred personalised experience and be sure that no request will go unanswered. Ultimately, we ensure that we provide this to our guests in the most seamless way.

We go beyond luxury, evolving to the changing needs of our guests, whilst also staying true to our signature Ultima service. This signature service is what allows guests to experience the utmost levels of privacy and comfort, all fine-tuned to their needs.

10. How does Ultima Collection stay up to date with the latest trends and demands in the luxury travel industry?

We take great pride in being at the forefront of the luxury travel industry, always staying up to date with the latest trends and demands. We continuously invest in comprehensive market research and value guests’ feedback to foster a culture of innovation to ensure that we’re consistently growing and remaining ahead of the curve within the luxury travel industry, consistently delivering extraordinary experiences that cater to the evolving desires and expectations of our guests.

For example, wellness travel has become one of the travel industry’s fastest-growing sectors; therefore, we have responded by offering unique wellness retreats across our properties to accommodate the surging demand we have been receiving over the years.

11. Can you share any future plans or expansions that Ultima Collection has in mind?

We have ambitious plans for further expansion and growth. Our vision involves exploring new destinations and diversifying our offerings, all while continuing to enhance our guest experience.

We have two upcoming new developments in Geneva as well as a new private residence in Gstaad all currently in development. These plans align with our core values and commitment to providing the finest experiences to our guests. We aim to continuously create exceptional moments that guests will cherish for a lifetime. It’s an exciting time for Ultima right now, as it feels like just the beginning of what we know we can achieve.