{"id":78621,"date":"2023-06-15T19:29:17","date_gmt":"2023-06-15T19:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=78621"},"modified":"2025-10-14T15:09:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T15:09:25","slug":"cheval-blanc-st-barth-welcome-to-paradise","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/cheval-blanc-st-barth-welcome-to-paradise\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAZIA Travel Guide: St-Barth \u2014 Welcome to Paradise at Cheval Blanc St-Barth, Where French Refinement & Stellar Service Await"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It was my final night in paradise, also known as the Cheval Blanc St-Barth<\/a>. I had just returned to the Caribbean resort from dinner in town at Tamarin St Barth, a restaurant set in a tropical garden where greenery and cute local critters surround every table (I would know, a friendly frog jumped on my back during cocktails). Each evening, I\u2019d discover a treat waiting for me in my room, whether a wellness Elixir Tea from the Maison\u2019s \u201cAlchemists\u201d or a special setup to make my own beauty concoction with essential oils. I noticed tea on the bedside table and headed to the huge walk-in closet to begin the sad task of packing my suitcase. That\u2019s when I spotted something else in the bathroom \u2014 a candle flickering over the tub. A piping hot bath magically was drawn for me. As I slipped into the water, I couldn\u2019t help but smile and let out a laugh at how unbelievable the last few days had been.<\/p>\n

It all started as I got ready to hop a Tradewind<\/a> flight in San Juan to St Barths. (Scratch that. It actually started when I filled out my preference sheet for Cheval Blanc St-Barth, noting things like my robe size and ideal type of pillow \u2014 Hard? Soft? Feather? Foam?) At the airport, instead of suffering in long lines, I breezed through check- in and kicked back at the dedicated Tradewind lounge with snacks and a coffee. Aboard the eight-seater plane making the hour-long trip to St Barths I watched the boats lining the island\u2019s coastline as the mountains came into view and got…well, first I got nervous over said mountains, then thrilled about my impending adventure. A quick 10-minute car ride later, I was greeted by smiling staff as well as my Majordome \u2014 suites and villas come with butler service \u2014 who whisked me away to my beachfront suite.<\/p>\n

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There are 61 spectacular rooms, suites and villas across the property with beach, garden or ocean views, some featuring private plunge pools. The rooms got a top-to-bottom revamp by interior designer Jacques Grange, who created an idyllic vacation atmosphere by mixing patterns, rattan furniture and quintessential West Indies charm. The de\u0301cor, Christelle Hilpron, general manager of Cheval Blanc St-Barth, explained to me, \u201cwas designed as a cabinet of curiosities.\u201d Meaning, she said, that \u201ceach decorative item has a story and reminds the guests about travels, whether it’s pottery sourced from Colombia, leather ottomans from Borneo or Aboriginal art displayed on the walls.\u201d In my room, I was also struck by the amenities, like a Dyson hair dryer and Guerlain skincare waiting on the vanity. There was also a pair of pink flip flops (the Maison\u2019s signature hue) and beach bag ready to go in the closet.<\/p>\n

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For my first full day in paradise, Cheval Blanc St-Barth created my ultimate itinerary: I hiked Colombier Bay with personal trainer Geoffrey Pain, and then enjoyed a private yoga session with world- renowned instructor Nicolas Legrez. Even though I\u2019m no yogi, Legrez had plenty of patience as he guided me through The Yoga Reverie, an exclusive Guerlain ritual he created for Cheval Blanc St-Barth that combines yoga nidra and massage for a meditative, rejuvenating experience. Adding to the experience, it was set in the property\u2019s lush gardens. Created by landscape designer Madison Cox, the mastermind behind the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, the leafy oasis boasts over 120 varieties of plants and wildflowers (and a few turtles too).<\/p>\n

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The spa is also located in the garden, where I experienced a unique Guerlain treatment called the Secrets of India, which was guided by the rhythms of music for \u201cnew aura, a body and mind rebirth.\u201d There was a striking set-up of over 15 Guerlain fragrances in the spa lobby, which is part of another bespoke ritual called the Guerlain Haute Parfumerie experience. \u201cAfter a consultation that dives into a guests’ memories, striking emotions, tastes and personality, the Maison\u2019s Beauty Experts select the perfect fragrance customized for you,\u201d Spa Manager at Cheval Blanc Spa in St Barth Carole Renoux says, noting guests can also customize a bottle as a special souvenir.<\/p>\n

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When it was time to bask in the sun, Hilpron said it best: \u201cThe Maison’s private location on Flamands Bay allows guests to feel like they are in their own exclusive cocoon, with direct beach access.\u201d What I loved most was bouncing between a lounge chair in the sand to my room\u2019s private plunge pool, just steps away from one another.<\/p>\n

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Both dining venues on-site are also beach-facing and each has a pool. In the case of La Cabane, open for buffet-style breakfast as well as lunch, it\u2019s quite literally on the sand (table choices are distinguished by the \u201cdeck\u201d or \u201csand\u201d). La Case is the property\u2019s fine-dining restaurant by acclaimed chef Jean Imbert, who embraces a menu that boasts local herbs and flavors popular in Caribbean cuisine. Dishes are served on Dior<\/a> plates \u2014 a nod to the LVMH-owned property. The fashion empire features the company\u2019s portfolio of in-house brands (like Guerlain) in the boutique too \u2014 guests will find Emilio Pucci pieces and Dior shades on display.<\/p>\n

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At the end of my stay, I felt rejuvenated and relaxed, but also reflective: How could I continue experiencing this transformative sense of calm in my everyday life? As I surveyed the room for the final time feeling content, I noted all the things that might bring me back to this serene time and the memory of the waves lapping against me during dips in the sea. Luckily, I can take a whiff of the candle given to me as a gift at the end of my stay featuring the Maison\u2019s signature fragrance Tropical Chic and its notes of ylang-ylang, pineapple, white flowers and sandalwood. Or maybe it\u2019ll be as simple as resetting my posture, just as Legrez instructed me to do. Whatever the case, each time, I\u2019ll be transported back to the tropics in my mind. But oh, how I can\u2019t wait to return.<\/p>\n

Read GRAZIA USA<\/em>\u2019s Summer issue featuring cover star Priyanka Chopra Jonas:<\/strong><\/p>\n