Cheval Blanc is Paris’ Hottest New Hotel
The long-awaited opening of Cheval Blanc Paris earlier this month is the most exciting addition to Paris’ luxury hotel scene in nearly a decade. I had the privilege of seeing it a few months ago, and as it takes A LOT to impress me, the fact my jaw was dropped in amazement my entire time there speaks volumes.
The Cheval Blanc hotel brand falls under the LVMH umbrella, and the hotel is located at the front of the recently revamped Art Nouveau landmark Samaritaine department store, which LVMH bought and completely transformed. The famous façade has floor to ceiling windows, and Cheval Blanc is therefore the only luxury hotel in Paris to boast this feature. It’s also the first hotel of its caliber in its neighborhood, adjacent to Le Marais and at the foot of the Pont Neuf. Due to the unobstructed location in front of the Seine, upper floor rooms views have 180 degree views all along the Seine from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower, which is totally unique in Paris.
Architect and designer Peter Marino curated every tiny detail. Everything is gasp-worthy, from the dizzying art collection to the orgasmic marble cake I received with my espresso (I never knew a tiny piece of bundt cake could elicit such feelings). All tangible items were made in an LVMH atelier, so you’ll be sleeping in/sitting on/bathing in Dior, Louis Vuitton and Fendi among others. Speaking of Dior, you’ll be absolutely blown away by the Dior Spa in the hotel’s lower level, perhaps the most luxurious spa I’ve ever seen. I caressed one of the monogram sheets on a massage table and was in heaven imagining myself wrapped in the sumptuous fabric.
The adjacent swimming pool (pictured up top), the city’s largest, is like nothing else. Because it sits at the same level of the Seine, the entire wall is a video projection of the outside that makes you feel like you’re actually swimming in the river – and the footage changes to match the time of day so it feels even more authentic.
Junior Suite
Accommodations are sophisticated and contemporary, but still have a comfortable residential feel. A myriad of beiges, whites and browns in different shades and textures abound. Again, every morsel, every surface, every scent (custom-made Dior only available here, obviously) had years of thought that went into them. The bathroom amenities even come in bottles in the shape of Samaritaine!
The stunning five-bedroom bilevel penthouse suite (the only accommodation in Paris with its own pool) is practically an urban mansion that will put your run of the mill Central Park-facing 5th Avenue penthouse to shame. I’m not allowed to show you any pictures right now, so you’ll just have to stay in it and see for yourself…just let me know when you’re ready and I’ll make it happen!
