Le Collectionist buys Bramble for undisclosed sum
France: Paris-based luxury villa and chalet rental brand, Le Collectionist, has acquired winter sports chalet company Bramble for an undisclosed sum.
The transaction feeds into Le Collectionist’s goal to reach €100 million in sales within the next 18 months and establish itself as a European market leader in the luxury villa and chalet rental space. It will also retain the permanent services of 150 Bramble employees, and a further 350 seasonal workers will be brought in for the winter season by Bramble.
Founded in 2005, Bramble manages a portfolio of 160 chalets in prime skiing destinations in France [Meribel and Val d’Isere], Switzerland [Verbier and Zermatt] and Austria [St Anton and Lech], and it aims to expand its presence in Lech and Val d’Isere in particular.
It marks the second acquisition for Le Collectionist after its purchase of Ibiza-based luxury villa rental and concierge business, Bonder & Co, in 2017 for $10 million. Chief executive and co-founder, Max Aniort, said that that the Bonder acquisition had been important for the external growth of Le Collectionist and growing its footprint in the United States.
Speaking about the latest acquisition, Aniort told Travel Weekly: “We are extremely impressed with the work of Bramble Ski and the brand’s excellence in terms of customer experience since it was first established 15 years ago. We welcome them with great humility as we work towards developing our ski destinations in Switzerland, France and Austria.
“This purchase further strengthens our promise to create the best luxury home rental solution in every destination around the world,” he added.
Le Collectionist is aiming to kick off a series of strategic purchases, at a rate of two per year, to achieve its sales objective by the end of 2022. The company has also raised €25 million in funding since its founding in 2013.
The luxury market remains fragmented, even if it has been more resilient than mainstream hospitality providers, and Le Collectionist is looking at smaller, local independent or franchise businesses as potential acquisition targets moving forward.
Bramble Ski owner and director, Natasha Robertson, told Travel Weekly: “Bramble Ski and Le Collectionist have a natural synergy, and are both renowned for offering beautiful houses, exceptional service, and unique experiences. Le Collectionist has previously acquired market leaders in other regions, and we are thrilled to have been recognised as the market leader in the Alps and to have agreed this partnership to further elevate that position.”
Co-founder and director, Duncan Robertson, added: “We have seen a consolidation in the luxury property rental market in recent years and we felt it was important to be part of this movement by joining a group that shares our vision of the customer experience and our values, which is why we have become part of Le Collectionist.”
