Maisons Pariente, a French luxury hotel collection, has become a standout in the hospitality world, with properties like the alpine-chic Le Coucou in Meribel, the glamorous Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez, and the newly debuted, Parisian-inspired Le Grand Mazarin. Soon, they’ll add a highly anticipated outpost in Courchevel, set to open in 2026. What sets these design-centric, private residence-style retreats apart is their family-owned roots, led by the sister duo, Kimberley Cohen and Leslie Kouhan, alongside their father, Patrick Pariente.
We met Leslie and Kimberley for our Women’s History Month feature to hear about their journey running a luxury hotel brand as sisters. Here’s what they had to say.
Tell us about yourselves beyond your familial tie to Maisons Pariente. How did your hospitality industry background shape the brand’s vision?
Kimberley: “We have very different backgrounds. I lived in Belgium for my high school years, then moved to Los Angeles when I was 20 and lived there until I was 28. I had a much more artistic vibe and attended school for fashion manufacturing—where I had my first taste of hospitality when I renovated a short-time rental. That experience sparked my fascination with how design and atmosphere shape emotions. I’m very connected to the feeling a place evokes and how it affects people who visit, which became central to our vision for Maisons Pariente.”
Leslie: “I studied finance and quickly joined my father in real estate. After his career in fashion (he founded the Paris brand Naf Naf), he shifted to real estate, and 12 years ago, we bought our first plot of land in Courchevel to build a hotel. It was our first experience in hospitality, but we weren’t ready to operate it ourselves, so we partnered with the Oetker Collection to run the hotel. Working with them on L’Apogée Courchevel was a pivotal moment—it gave us invaluable insight into high-end hospitality and what it takes to create an exceptional guest experience. This foundation shaped the vision for Maisons Pariente when we returned to real estate and launched the brand two years later.”
How has your sisterhood influenced your approach to creating and running luxury hotels, and how do you bring a unique feminine perspective to the business?
Kimberley: “Being sisters is one of our strengths, though, in the beginning, we had to navigate our roles and figure out how to balance our perspectives. Now, there’s a deep trust between us, allowing us to shape different aspects of the brand. I think, as women, we have an innate sensitivity to what top-paying guests and families are looking for—those thoughtful, intuitive details that elevate a stay.”
Leslie: “Hospitality is ultimately about hosting people, and that’s something we genuinely love. There’s an attention to detail that comes naturally to us, adding a feminine touch to the experience—whether it’s the thoughtful amenities, the sincerity behind our service, or the warmth of our staff. Working together as sisters is interesting because we don’t always have the same taste, but that helps us create a balanced vision. We aim to make each hotel feel like a beautifully curated private home with its own distinct story.”
What role does your father, Patrick Pariente, play in the Maisons Pariente brand, and how do you navigate working together as a family?
Kimberley: “Our father has always said, ‘Surround yourself with smarter people—because you’ll never know everything.’ One of his greatest strengths is his boldness—he’s a risk-taker, a visionary. When he decided we would go into hospitality six years ago, he had already sold his real estate business and could have retired, but that’s not who he is. He’s always thinking about the next big project. We’re fortunate he trusted us to build this business beside him.”
Leslie: “We’re lucky to work with our father—he’s a true force. An entrepreneur at heart, he’s moved from fashion to real estate to hospitality with unwavering confidence. From the start, he encouraged us to pursue something we genuinely love, and that belief has shaped the way we approach Maisons Pariente. Building something great takes more than just two hands—you need the right people around you. That’s something our father has always taught us, and it’s a philosophy we carry with us in everything we do.”
How has your female leadership and family-centered approach shaped the guest experience at Maisons Pariente, and how do you bring a unique sense of warmth and care to the luxury hotel industry?
Kimberley: “There’s something distinctly different about Maisons Pariente, being women-led. Our approach feels more human and more personal, according to our staff. We believe that women often bring a warmer, more empathetic energy to hospitality. It’s about ensuring that everyone—whether a guest or an employee—feels welcome and valued. We try to infuse that human touch and genuine warmth into every aspect of our hotels.”
Leslie: “I don’t know if it’s because we’re women or family, but at the heart of what we do is building something together—a family approach that permeates every aspect of the brand. As women and mothers, we’re naturally attuned to the needs of families, and we understand the importance of crafting an environment where everyone feels at home. It’s about juggling all the elements—whether it’s the guests’ comfort, the staff’s well-being, or ensuring every detail is just right.”
Do you have a favorite property that’s part of the Maisons Pariente collection?
Kimberley: “We always joke that we’re not allowed to pick a favorite, just like you can’t choose a favorite child. But if I had to pick, I’d say Crillon Le Brave. There’s something truly breathtaking about the location and how the hotel is integrated into the village. It’s made up of several houses, so it really feels like a home rather than just a hotel. People live on the property, too, which adds to its originality. The views are so incredible they almost seem unreal. I’ve been there more than 50 times and still get chills every visit.”
Leslie: “Each property offers something unique depending on the season and the experience. In winter, we love heading to Le Coucou to ski with our family in Meribel. In the summer, Lou Pinet in St. Tropez is perfect for a beach getaway with friends. And then there’s Crillon Le Brave, where I go when I crave quiet and a true sense of calm. But I do agree with Kim—Crillon Le Brave is incredibly special. There’s a timelessness to it. If you painted a picture of it, you couldn’t tell if it’s from 100 years ago in Provence or today. It’s history meets modern comfort and style, but it’s more than just a beautiful space—it’s about evoking emotion and creating a real sense of place.”
