Billionaire Bernard Arnault Has Big Plans for Hacienda Katanchel
Forbes Magazine’s “richest man in the world” has purchased Hacienda Katanchel in Tixkokob. He intends to turn it into an ultra-luxurious hotel. It was last renovated in the late 1990s.
This 17th-century estate is 45 minutes east of Mérida and became part of the international luxury hotel chain Belmond, now that it’s part of Bernard Arnault’s massive portfolio.
The 75-year-old Arnault, who owns the Fendi, Givenchy, Kenzo, and Marc Jacobs brands, plans to reopen Hacienda Katanchel in 2027. So, they’re obviously giving themselves plenty of time to upgrade the grounds.
The Katanchel estate will have 35 independent suites and a complete revitalizing spa complex. The entire property is 543 acres and has a cenote, a sacred well and the remains of a Maya pyramid.
The property was originally a cattle and horse ranch and was converted to a henequen plantation toward the end of the 19th century. When the boom went bust, its roughly 60 buildings were left to decay.
In the late 1990s, the property was a privately owned nature reserve and resort. One of the warehouses was transformed into a laboratory where residents were trained in the conservation of the region’s plants and trees.
The entrance to the main house is built in the colonial style with two rows of three arches, supported by Doric columns and a wide staircase that leads to the front porches. The chapel’s original floors date from the seventeenth century.
The machine house restaurant will see possibly the most sweeping changes, and the former company store has already been converted into the resort’s offices.
About Arnault
Arnault, the driving force behind fashion powerhouse LVMH, is a French businessman and art collector with a staggering net worth of $194 billion.
Arnault began in his family’s engineering firm, which he transformed into a real estate venture, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors. His foray into luxury started with acquiring Boussac Saint-Frères, a struggling conglomerate that included the iconic Christian Dior. His decisive actions earned him the moniker “The Terminator” as he revived Dior and streamlined the business.
In 1987, Arnault co-founded LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), revolutionizing the industry. He expanded LVMH’s portfolio and solidified its position as a global leader. Arnault’s ambition extended beyond luxury goods, as he invested in various web companies and philanthropic endeavors, notably in the arts.
Arnault’s leadership has been marked by innovation and a keen eye for emerging trends. He championed the LVMH Young Fashion Designer competition, fostering the next generation of creative talent. His passion for art led him to establish the Louis Vuitton Foundation, a Frank Gehry architectural masterpiece, showcasing contemporary art.
He has transformed LVMH into the largest company in the Eurozone by market capitalization.
This isn’t Belmond’s first Mexico property. There’s Maroma, a Belmond Hotel in Riviera Maya, which re-opened in August 2023; Casa di Sierra Nevada, a hotel built inside a 16th-century convent in San Miguel de Allende; and Milaroca, a Belmond Hotel in Riviera Nayarit, which will open in 2025.
