Cheval Blanc, Paris Luxury Abounds!

Clients have stayed and adored this new gem on the Seine, I recently stayed and swooned! In the heart of Paris, the swanky property falls into the ultimate see-and-be-seen hotel.

Facing the Left Bank, a stroll away from the Louvre and the Marais, sits Cheval Blanc. Originally the classic La Samaritaine, circa 1870 French department store, which closed in 2005. LVMH purchased the building and transformed it into the glamorous high end haute brand hotel and six floor shopping mall.

The 72 rooms were designed by interior designer Peter Marino, who created the fabulous LVMH fashion boutiques, Bulgari, Chanel, and multiple Louis Vuitton shops. A combination of bespoke and vintage furnishings provides glamour on every wall, floor, and even the elevators, nothing but extraordinary finishes and touches.

Cheval Blanc Steam Shower

The art filled lobby is the welcoming point with a dazzling display of two imposing abstract works by Vik Muniz and an epic George Mathieu painting. The white horse sculpture is by celebrated architect, Frank Gehry, who designed Fondation Louis Vuitton.

Cheval Blanc Suite, Paris

The interiors showcase an abundance of luxurious textures, shapes, and unique hues, primarily a medley of opulent golds and cream. Woven ironworks, canvas, textiles, and unique stonework which must have generated an entire guild of craftspeople.

Under the Pont-Neuf, the oldest bridge in the city, flows the Seine and coincidentally, the dazzling 30-meter pool sits at the same level of the Seine. Viewing the pool on my first visit, it was essential to swim laps on my stay. The long walls consist of a video scene depicting a mesmerizing version of outdoors. It is constantly changing, waves gently lap, flocks of bird’s flap noiselessly and land in trees. The ceiling is mirrored reflecting the blue and green and golden tiles and the ongoing outdoor scene. One of the most stunning pools I’ve ever seen. The design is by Franco-Isreali artist Yorame Mevorach, also known as Oyoram.

My Junior Suite Balcony facing the Seine had table and chairs for outdoor dining or just gazing at the glorious Paris skyline punctuated with every famed landmark, a postcard montage as it were. The grand dome of Les Invalides, the Eiffel Tower, and the gloomy view of the scaffolded Notre Dame, under repair, its soul shattered by fire. I sat for hours spying on the promenade of locals and tourists crossing the Pont Neuf, lovers gazing at the sunset, businessmen lost in thought scurrying across the bridge, kids on scooters, it’s a lively scene.

The Suite – oh the amenities are too numerous to count! A spacious bedroom with an elegant desk and comfy lounge area, ideal for in room dining or lounging. Soft warm tones, no bright colors interrupt the calming sea of ivory and white marble in the enormous bathroom. Steam shower, of course, grand marble tub for two, check, separate dressing room, with space for two guests. The fragrant bath products designed by Dior perfumer François Demachy depict the shape of the building, nothing is less than perfect!

Does your safe include a device for winding your watch? The Cheval Blanc safe provides this glamorous amenity.

High tech touches designed for the lay person traveler, everything could be controlled from panels by the bed, and an in-room iPad which also had room controls and info about the hotel. Tribe of the Bed Girl is addicted to Pillow Menus, each offering printed on a perfect designer pillow.

The space is impressively designed with a hallway minibar offering everything from Cheval Blanc candles from each property, a Nespresso machine, snacks, and beverages.

In Europe it isn’t considered unusual to offer fine dining on property – most U.S. hotels lack this, and I think American mentality often dismisses the concept of a five-star restaurant within hotels.

There are four dining options within the hotel: Plénitude is Cheval Blanc’s fine-dining restaurant, run by Chef Arnaud. Donckele; on the first floor. Langosteria is Cheval Blanc’s most popular dining palace, an Italian restaurant.  Le Tout-Paris is all-day dining and is located on the rooftop level. Limbar, an all-day cafe; it’s located on the ground floor, and during the day it has pastries, coffee, and snacks, and in the evenings, it turns into a cocktail bar.

Spa Dior Cheval Blanc Paris takes an avant-garde approach to provide a uniquely original experience. In the heart of the vibrant City of Light, Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris is a haven of serenity offering total immersion in the world of the House of Dior. Offering features 48 different treatment options, this exceptional setting was the brainchild of decorator Peter Marino, in the spirit of a Parisian flat where each object is a vivid tribute to the codes of the House and to the life of Christian Dior. Stunning interiors meet state of the art – a holistic immersion of Dior.

Cheval Blanc is not a Palace Hotel, it lacks gardens and other than roof top dining, no outdoor space for mingling. Built around water and drop-dead views, you may forgo museum outings and decide to nest on your terrace all day. Highly Recommend!

Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, Oh Paris!

My introduction began with this family-owned property last November when a new friend invited me for lunch hosted by her friend, the owner of Pavillon de la Reine. We moseyed on a rainy Saturday to this timeless address, a haven of peace in the heart of the capital, surrounded by shady gardens. A small luxury hotel in the 3rd arrondissement. Sipping bubbly and chatting for hours before we enjoyed a mini-site inspection.
 

Library linking Les Parisiens restaurant to the hotel

Pavillon de la Queen & Spa owes its name to Anne of Austria, Queen of France who, in the 17th century, lived in the wing that separated the residence from the current Place des Vosges in the Marais district of Paris. It was also when her engagement to Louis XIII, in 1612, that the square was inaugurated. It then took the name of “Royal Square”. In 1800, it was baptized “Place des Vosges”. This is the oldest square in Paris. Over the centuries, it has hosted many famous residents such as Colette or Victor Hugo. It has thus contributed to the aura of the Marais, a district for which it is partly famous.

Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain

When I began plotting my current visit to Paris, I remembered Pavillon de la Reine family was in the midst of opening a new property. After two years of work, the Chevalier family has given a new lease of life to the hotel “Le Saint”, and renamed its boutique hotel the Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, in reference to the Pavillon de la Reine on the Place des Vosges, and the Pavillon des Lettres opposite the Elysée. It has entrusted the keys to the renovation to the master of interior architecture Didier Benderli.

Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, one would never know the property has been stitched together from three smaller hotels, while preserving the identity of the three distinct buildings connecting their interiors and redesigning them in a style that pays tribute to their 19th-century heritage.  Such Parisian details: a chic bistro, like a literary salon. A neighborhood sense of local life, between the Seine and the Café de Flore.

With its winter garden in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and its impeccable service, the Pavilion Faubourg Saint-Germain hotel is a haven of peace away from the paparazzi. It embodies elegant Parisian chic and serene luxury. Perfect location right on the corner of Rue du Pré aux Clercs and Rue de L’Université, just a few steps from Saint-Germain-des-Prés church.

The indoor swimming pool, spa, bar, and restaurant are all reasons to never leave this dreamy haven where you can enjoy peace or gaiety depending on your mood.

The hotel is cozy and warm, the public spaces are very inviting – a library is a wonderful place for breakfast or working if you must! The bistro, Les Parisiens, and snug James Joyce bar were great fun, I was the first lunch customer, and my two meals were delicious! In keeping with the tribute paid to James Joyce, the bar at the Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain has the distinctive warmth of a private English club. Yet it is a very chic Parisian spot. The young waiter, of course, translated for me, and the chef was kind enough to eliminate the dreaded anchovies from my yummy chicken with a delicious lemon Béarnaise sauce. My Britany lobster dinner was equally as divine – waiter made sure there were no lobster eyes observing me!

The Left Bank neighborhood is a treasure trove of charming boutiques, bakeries, fine antique stores and a very charming vintage jewelry store as well as high end jewelry…I spent a couple of hours wandering the streets…we have clients staying in June and I think they will adore Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain. Highly Recommend!

Pavillon Saint-Germain-Des-Prés hotel Paris
Charm at every corner!