The spark of inspiration that gave rise to the Villa Caroline
It was obvious from the very first visit
Upon entering the villa, nothing had been decided yet, and yet everything already seemed predetermined. There was that light streaming through the room, that view of the lake that immediately catches the eye, those spaces that breathe effortlessly. We weren’t planning a project yet: first, we sensed a place, and that feeling was immediate. Something clicked; something felt right. What was supposed to be a simple visit very quickly became something else: the idea that this place could open a new chapter for the groupe Montagnettes, far from the mountains, in a style unlike anything the group had done before.
It didn't take long for the decision to take shape. In the fall of 2022, the Villa Caroline agreement was signed. The intention, from the very beginning, was clear: not to transform the place, but to support it. To respect what it already was, while giving it a new direction. A few months of work were all it took, and by Christmas 2022, the Villa Caroline opened its doors, just in time for the first winter break.
From the very beginning, the goal has been simple: to create a hotel where guests feel at ease without needing to know why. An intimate space that feels more like a vacation home than a traditional hotel. Here, the hospitality isn’t meant to impress—it’s meant to soothe, from the very first interaction with the staff to every corner of the villa.
At Duingt, the Villa Caroline also strikes the right balance. Located on the quietest bank of the lac d'Annecy, it enjoys a preserved setting that is elegant without being ostentatious. Nothing here is spectacular; everything is just right, and that is precisely what gives the place its strength: no ostentatious architectural flourishes, but a constant attention to the details that make all the difference.
The spirit of the " Villa Caroline " is based on three simple values, which are reflected in both the architecture and the service.
Simplicity, first and foremost: everything here is natural, obvious, and on a human scale, with no need to add anything else to win you over. Serenity, next: every space, every moment of the day is designed to slow down the pace, to help you breathe easier, sleep better, and reconnect with yourself, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Authenticity, finally: a view of the lake that needs no staging, local produce in the restaurant, natural materials in the rooms, and service that’s sincere rather than showy—where every gesture from the staff reflects genuine care rather than a memorized script.
The silence of the place resonates with the landscape, and something becomes clear without needing to be put into words: here, time doesn’t speed up—it slows down. The days stretch out without constraint, routines loosen up, and conventions gently fade away. You don’t just stay at the “ Villa Caroline ”—you make it your home for a while, just as you might spend a weekend in a house you’ve known your whole life.
Villa Caroline was signed in the fall of 2022 and opened its doors at Christmas of that same year, following several months of construction.
Villa Caroline is located at Duingt, on the quietest bank of the lac d'Annecy.
Yes, that’s actually one of the venue’s hallmarks: a preserved, unobtrusive setting where time seems to slow down rather than speed up.
Because, in 2022, it marked the group's first property located on a lake rather than at high altitude, opening a new chapter for the brand.