Hotel of the Week: Cheval Blanc St. Barth Celebrates Ten Years with a New Guerlain Spa
The intimate retreat in the French West Indies opens a stunning new Guerlain spa designed by Paris architect Isabelle Stanislas and a slew of new wellness experiences
For decades, the island of St. Barts has beckoned the jet set with its promises of seclusion, natural beauty, and intoxicating French spirit, standing strong as a far-flung haven where one can shed the bustle of everyday life and escape in privacy. And while tourism has soared and certain corners of the island have taken on a more vibrant energy in more recent years—thanks to a proliferation of new beach clubs, lively restaurants, and buzzy nightlife—Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France remains steadfast to the true spirit of the place.
The only hotel outside of France with a coveted Palace distinction, the intimate property sets itself apart from the rest for its effortless savoir-faire, elegant Jacques Grange-designed spaces, exceptional service, and now, a striking new Guerlain spa designed by the revered Paris architect Isabelle Stanislas.
Nestled at the far end of the picturesque Flamands Beach, where impossibly long stretches of powdery white sand meet craggy rock formations and glistening turquoise waters, Cheval Blanc St. Barth goes by the philosophy that true luxury speaks in a whisper. In the distance, the iconic Rockefeller estate, built in the 1950s, juts out on the cliff above Colombier Beach, a protected area reachable only by boat or foot, encapsulating this essence and reminding one of the area’s storied past.
Before being acquired by LVMH’s Cheval Blanc hotel group in 2013, the resort was operated under the Isle de France moniker, a family-run destination that first opened in 1991. In 2016, the neighboring Taïwana Hotel was then strategically added, followed by a seamless unification of the two estates and an expansion of its accommodations. Then, in the wake of the catastrophic Hurricane Irma in 2017, which tragically erased much of the original architecture, the property received a dramatic reimagining courtesy of legendary Parisian designer Jacques Grange, who revamped the main public spaces, the two restaurants, and the beautifully appointed rooms and villas, ushering in an exciting new chapter for Cheval Blanc.
Thanks to Grange’s unique creative vision and LVMH’s commitment to art and culture, the property, which officially reopened in 2018, boasts a masterful mix of traditional Caribbean design with an air of French casual chic, and a sprinkling of whimsical, eclectic touches throughout.
After the quintessential St. Barts airport experience—a thrilling nosedive onto one of the world’s shortest runways—arriving at the hotel’s tranquil, open-air lobby immediately sets the tone for the experience to come. Devoid of any formal reception area, it feels more akin to being welcomed into an elegant seaside home.
Gracing the entrance is a striking blown-glass sculpture by celebrated artist Jean-Michel Othoniel that was inspired by the island’s starry sky, and it is just one of the artful moments throughout. Titled Pegasus, the custom piece crafted with 13 balls in shades of blush pink, which is the signature color of the property. Said to recall how the island’s typical red metal roofs fade to pink in the scorching sun, the pretty hue is found on everything from the staff uniforms to the custom Guerlain tropical-scented bath amenities, beach umbrellas, and linens.
The world-renowned American landscape designer Madison Cox conceived an enchanting tropical wonderland with the gardens, selecting plants like an artist for their unique colors, shapes, and density. Here, along the expansive, winding wooden walkways that join one side of the property to the other, guests are enveloped in flowering bougainvillea, fruit trees, and large-scale palms, with maybe even some animal friends like sea turtles or iguanas along the way. Cox, whose most famous project is the Majorelle gardens in Marrakech, believes taking a walk at Cheval Blanc St Barth is like “sailing from island to another, with the interwining plants forming a vegetal ocean.”
There are 61 rooms, suites, and bungalows at Cheval Blanc St. Barth, many of which are tucked away behind strategically placed plants, adding to the feeling of seclusion. One can choose between beachfront, garden-set, or hillside rooms and throughout the interiors, vibrant patterns, rattan furniture, and warm wood notes abound.
The most coveted rooms are surely the four Beach Suites, which span 1,500-square feet and contain a large bedroom with a separate dressing room, en suite bath with a large cast-iron Devon & Devon bathtub framed by Moroccan blue-and-white tile and an outdoor rain shower, expansive living room, large terrace with sun loungers, and a private infinity plunge pool overlooking Flamands Bay.
Decorative touches and objet in the rooms call to mind the global treasures amassed by a worldly collector, including pearl-and-shell pots from Columbia, Balinese-inspired poufs from Walter Zabriksie, rattan chairs by John and Elinor McGuire upholstered Charles Jouffre fabrics, graphic Tibetan-wool carpets by Tain Pingin; a stunning mosaic ceramic table made by Parisian artisan Delphine Messine, intricately woven baskets by the Wounaan tribe in Columbia and vibrant Aboriginal paintings. Architectural elements such as the Arabic-influenced Harem windows found in all the bathrooms and room entrances and furnishings like the dark wooden desk and library and sofas were designed by Grange himself.
High design has also been applied to the stunning, reimagined Guerlain Spa, beautifully designed by the renowned Parisian architect Isabelle Stanislas. Recently commissioned by the French president to breathe new life into the historic Élysée Palace, Stanislas here has created a calming sanctuary with an emphasis on flowing, organic shapes, natural materials like wood, and a palette of soft whites and creams. There are five treatment rooms including the romantic Salon Orchidée, a double treatment suite, a sauna, and an outdoor relaxation pavilion. Here, guests can indulge in exclusive Guerlain rituals, some uniquely tailored to the Caribbean setting, including a sensory massage experience that utilizes cool and warm shells and a tropical vanilla scent.
The culinary journey at Cheval Blanc is a highlight of the property, now overseen by the famed French chef Jean Imbert, who was inspired by the local terroir to create the menu. La Case by Jean Imbert, the property’s fine dining restaurant, showcases the highlights of Caribbean cuisine with an elegant French twist. Menu standouts include grilled chatrou, a type of local octopus, with guacamole and jalapenos, lobster custard with yuzu and puffed bread, a decadent lobster pot pie with ravioli, and braised lamb with island spices. Caribbean fruits and cocoa form the core of the dessert menu and art-inspired tableware by Dior round out the experience.
La Cabane, meanwhile, is the resort’s more casual, feet-in-the-sand restaurant—perfect for a classic burger or caesar salad by the water’s edge. A highlight not to be missed is the daily dessert and pastry offerings from the in-house boulangerie and patisserie.
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