Sofia Sterling
Managing Director
Decades in luxury hospitality across Europe's grandest houses. Has led the property since the early days and quietly sets the standard the rest of the team upholds.
Joined 1991
About Us
The people behind Crystalalpineresort
A private resort and casino on the Mediterranean coast. We opened in 1991 with six rooms and a single conviction — that the finest hospitality never needs to announce itself.
Our story in three paragraphs
In the summer of 1991, two friends — a former hotelier and a chef — acquired a strip of shoreline and turned a private villa into a six-room inn. There was no pitch deck, no marketing roadmap and no social feed. There was a notebook holding two principles: serve fewer guests better than anyone else; and refuse anything that is merely "industry standard".
Thirty-five years on we hold 80 keys, three restaurants, a Michelin star, two private gaming salons, a full spa, and a guest book that quietly fills with the same families returning, year after year. The notebook still exists. The two principles have not shifted.
We remain owned by the same two families that founded the property. We have never sold to a chain, never franchised the name, and never opened a second address — though the question has been raised, often. We answer the same way every time: do one place well.
What we believe
Hospitality without theatre
The flowers are fresh because they ought to be. The robe is heavy because it ought to be. The work that counts is the work you never notice.
Continuity over churn
The bellman who greets you at the door has been here longer than most of our suites have stood. The head sommelier has served for many years. We hire slowly and we keep people for a lifetime.
Local over global
Our menu draws on what the coast provides, our wine cellar favours growers within four hours of the property, and our spa products are made by a chemist who lives forty minutes away.
Quiet by design
Adult-only, screen-free public spaces, soft lighting at all hours and a music programme curated to blend into the room. Loud is easy. Calm is hard.
The team
Six of the people who run the property day to day. Their backgrounds differ; their commitment to the standard does not. Behind them stands a 280-person team across operations, food, beverage, wellness, gaming, and concierge.
Clara Vaughn
Founding Partner
Oversees food, beverage and the guest experience. A former Relais et Chateaux board member and the origin of the resort's unhurried service philosophy.
Joined 1991
Freya Sinclair
Executive Chef
Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, with stages at some of Europe's finest kitchens. Secured the property its Michelin recognition.
Joined 2013
Lucas Beaumont
Head Sommelier
Court of Master Sommeliers-certified, curating a cellar of several thousand bottles with a particular fondness for old Burgundy and small-grower Champagne.
Joined 2009
Elise Delacroix
Spa & Wellness Director
Trained in Kyoto and Marrakech, and shaped the spa programme around the idea that rest is a skill, not a luxury.
Joined 1993
Ines Amaro
Gaming Director
Years on the floors of Europe's private salons. Built ours around discretion, fair play, and a personal-host model that other houses now emulate.
Joined 1993
By the numbers
- 1991 — year founded
- 80+ suites, villas and bungalows
- Three restaurants, including one Michelin-starred
- Two private casino salons
- 280 staff across all departments
- 4.9 / 5 guest rating across 2,400+ reviews
- 60%+ of reservations from returning guests
- 9 languages spoken by our concierge team