A French couple, one island
we never managed to leave.
Cybade is the story of Cyril and Adèle: a bar in France, a documentary watched one evening in Saigon, a one-way ticket to Phú Quốc, and the urge to open the house we wish we had found when we arrived.
Two opposites in balance.
Adèle ran a bar that Cyril used to visit, without the two of them ever really talking. She was serious and ambitious, in the hotel business since the age of 15, her head deep in running her establishments; he was a former sports coach, an epicurean, funny, good with numbers, always with an activity to suggest. No love at first sight, but a steady presence, real support, fits of laughter. Two lovers of travel and animals, fish above all. Then the quiet certainty that they would never part, and the desire to build everything together, in life as in work.
A documentary, one evening in Saigon.
Adèle was born in Saigon; Cyril dreamed of Asia, the sea and snorkeling. At the Vietnamese consulate in Geneva, she asked for two visas: the officer thought she looked Vietnamese and mentioned she was exempt — a simple passport would do. The adventure had begun. One evening, an old documentary about Phú Quốc came on the screen; by the next day, the tickets were booked. They landed on December 15, fell in love with the island's greenery, and criss-crossed its roads by scooter, in search of a beach, a forest, a waterfall. Two French people who don't speak a word of Vietnamese — much to their guests' surprise.
The house we wish we had found.
Adèle grew up in the hotel world, with the codes of Relais & Châteaux in mind. Discovering the island, one thing was obvious: what was missing was a truly attentive welcome, simple and careful service. So they opened their own. The first building slipped away an hour before signing; after five versions of the contract, they secured this one. They redid the floors and the bathrooms, replaced the windows, installed an elevator. A house Adèle always wanted blue, decorated with inspirations from Vietnam and Cambodia, furnished by the island's artisans. Their favorite spot: the lounge and its bar, calm and peaceful. Each room is getting its own personality, little by little.
Four weeks, with a knot in the stomach.
Setting up a hotel in four weeks, paperwork and deliveries included: their pride. They had to cope with deadlines that kept slipping, Tết bringing the island to a standstill, costs climbing, laws changing. Their fondest memory remains the handover of the keys, in a photo where they look tired but very happy, after fighting so hard. As for the first guest, he had to pay in cash, as there was no local bank account yet: he arrived exhausted, Adèle didn't dare to ask, and it took several days and several reminders. A knot in the stomach — a real first time.
“The hotel truly reflects who we are. It's not a five-star, but the welcome is real.”
CYRIL & ADÈLE — FOUNDERS
Cybade is the two of us.
The name was born one lunchtime, at the very top of the Landmark 81 tower in Saigon, on the day we were rushing to the lawyer's office to set up the company. We needed a name. Cyril found it at the table, by bringing our two first names together.
Our two first names, together. We're still proud of it.
What feels like us.
A genuine welcome
No palace, no frills: a sincere welcome, true to who we are.
Like home
We walk you to your room, we know your name, we look after you.
A sense of service
Concierge, laundry, a check-out at 4 a.m. if that's what it takes.
Homemade
Coming soon, a generous breakfast — crêpes made by us.
Made on the island
Everything comes from the island: we bought it all locally, giving work to the artisans nearby.
