Walpole: Tell us about the history of your brand…
Fabrice Carré: Leaving their office in Mayfair one evening in 2009, our founders realised that all the lights were off – every single home along the street was empty. And while they had been away exploring the charming landscapes of Tuscany, their flats in Central London were sitting vacant, too. It dawned on them that there could hardly be a better way for discerning visitors to immerse themselves in the very best of a city than by staying in the finest homes in the best neighbourhoods when the owners were away.
With this, the idea for onefinestay was born; a luxury private rental in a prime location combined with premium service for guests and homeowners alike. onefinestay now has 3,500 homes, villas and chalets in over 40 destinations worldwide – from chic apartments in London to beachside retreats in Turks and Caicos to farmhouses in Tuscany, and everything in between.
Acquired in 2016 by French multinational hospitality company Accor, onefinestay is the luxury private rental brand of the group, alongside Accor's other luxury hospitality brands including Raffles, Orient Express, Fairmont and Sofitel.
What is your brand best known for?
The quality of our service; it underpins everything we do. We hand-select every home and create an experience to match. We offer a personal service for cultivated guests who value the very best experiences with those who matter most to them. We are also well recognised by our homeowners and partners as unrivalled operators who take exceptional care of their homes.
What has been a significant achievement in your company’s timeline?
In 2021, onefinestay took on an ambitious expansion and launched 14 new destinations including some very attractive locations such as New York, Paris, Ibiza, Costa del Sol and Provence. Our strategy is not to grow too quickly but to ensure we are adding the right homes to our portfolio in the very best destinations.
Why do you love the brand?
I was part of the strategy team at Accor that, back in 2016, identified onefinestay as a significant opportunity for the group. It was a key strategic acquisition as it allowed it to explore the luxury home and villa industry, but also for the onefinestay brand to benefit from the Accor international database of customers, the Accor loyalty program, ALL, and an important portfolio of High Net Worth Individuals. Ever since, I have been continually impressed by the way the teams select the homes we display and the passion with which each person in onefinestay takes care of both our guests and our homeowners.
Why does your brand represent the very best in British luxury?
Since our launch in 2009, onefinestay was always meant to be more than simply a house rental; it is a personal service for discerning guests who value staying in exceptional homes and villas in the very best destinations with unmatched service.
We are a truly curated hospitality service whereas Airbnb and VRBO are self-service platforms. We invest time to personally connect with our guests and homeowners and then we anticipate their individual needs and tailor stays with amenities, services and destination experiences. Homeowners who wish to list their home with us go through a careful vetting process to ensure the home meets our standards of excellence. Our dedicated reservations and concierge teams manage the guest journey from start to finish, the private rental equivalent of staying in a luxury hotel.
What attracted you to becoming a Walpole member?
We are excited to sit alongside some of the UK’s most-loved luxury brands and work together to continue to champion, elevate and promote the luxury sector globally. As a luxury hospitality company, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to elevate our guest experience whether it be through carefully curated brand partnerships, unique experiences or, most importantly, adding the very best homes to our portfolio.
If you could collaborate with another Walpole member, which one would you choose?
When we look for a new brand partner, we are always looking for something that unlocks a unique experience for our guests, something that they couldn’t have anywhere else and that will contribute to an unforgettable stay.
Tell us about an exciting development or new launch for your brand in the coming months...
This year we announced our solidified executive leadership team. This is the team that will deliver our new vision for the company with more exciting announcements to come in 2024.
-(14).jpg)
