Betty Brunaud is the general manager of the Hôtel Dupond-Smith, an ultra-exclusive, eight-room, five-star hotel in the heart of the Marais district, where she orchestrates a discreet luxury centered on "managing enchantment." Having previously managed the Hôtel Le Montana, she chose this intimate format, without a restaurant or spa, to better focus on the details: quality of welcome, personalized attention, and an obsession with service and customer satisfaction.
Her credo: to make Dupond-Smith a haven for discerning travelers and a showcase for hidden talents. She develops artistic partnerships by offering an exhibition space next to the hotel, where photographers and painters come to display their work, thus integrating contemporary art into the guest experience. Trained in sound therapy, she invites her clients to slow down and reconnect with themselves through soothing vibrations that release tension and prevent introspection.
• Can you give us a portrait of who you are as a person and the professional environment in which you work?
I have been a hotelier for about ten years in the world of luxury in Paris, where I learned that the true meaning of hospitality is to create deeply human, authentic, spontaneous experiences.
Today, in parallel, I am developing an activity around sound therapy and well-being which allows people to slow down and reconnect with themselves.
My journey is guided by a simple conviction: the most precious luxury today is the time, attention, and quality of presence we offer others. Creating unforgettable memories that touch hearts and leave a lasting impression.
• Have you ever felt confined to a "woman's" role? How did you react to or circumvent this?
Yes, I've often felt that way, especially when managing technical services. I've even heard comments like, "That's best left to the men." Yet, after more than ten years in the hotel industry, including seven in management, I now know how to do a lot of things myself. They even call me "Boba the handyman" at the hotel. With experience, I've learned to set clear boundaries, and thankfully, those kinds of comments tend to disappear.
• What gesture, piece of advice, or phrase from another woman still supports you today in difficult times?
I didn't really have a female mentor in this area; I largely built my skills on my own, often in very male-dominated environments. A phrase I often use is: "When in doubt, there is no doubt." With experience, I've learned to establish clear boundaries in management, particularly by using the formal "vous" with my teams. This professional distance helps maintain respect and avoid some of the excesses I experienced at the beginning of my first management role at 24.
• In your field, what are the invisible barriers you still encounter as a woman?
In the hotel industry, this is most noticeable in technical or highly operational roles, which are still perceived as masculine. Sometimes, service providers also try to shift the relationship towards seduction or a closeness outside of a professional context. Being a female entrepreneur can sometimes provoke resistance or a form of implicit rivalry. With experience, I've learned to set very clear boundaries to stay in my proper place.
• How do you reconcile your personal life with your professional or creative ambitions?
For a long time, my work took up almost all of my life. A hotel operates 24/24, and I found it difficult to set boundaries, so invested was I in my job. Today, with my second business in sound therapy and soon numerology, I'm learning to slow down and create real space for my personal life.
As I approach my 31st birthday, I feel the desire to rebalance "doing" and "being" more and allow myself to free up personal space to welcome and be outside of work.
• What would you like us to stop asking women… and finally ask men instead?
I wish we would stop asking women how they will manage to juggle everything: career, personal life, and work-life balance. This question should also be asked of men. The responsibility for balance should not fall solely on women. A fairer society begins when these issues become collective concerns.
• If you could change just one concrete and immediate thing to improve the lives of women in your neighborhood and city, what would it be?
I would develop more supportive spaces for women in the city: places where they can meet, start businesses, and support each other. Solidarity among women is a real strength. I myself have participated in women's circles and I've seen how powerful they can be. They provide confidence, support, and a lot of momentum.
• Which young woman or girl in your circle or not gives you hope for the future, and why?
I am very inspired by young women who today dare to create hybrid career paths, combining entrepreneurship, creativity and the search for meaning. Showing one's vulnerability is no longer something to hide, but on the contrary, something to embrace and rightly highlighted.
They no longer hesitate to listen to their intuition and break away from traditional models. I find this very encouraging for the future. It shows that new forms of success are emerging. Or rather, before doing, there is being, and not the other way around.
Text: Katia Barillot
08.03.26
