THE WHITE HORSE: CHEVAL BLANC

Such is the standard of luxury hotels in Paris that when a new one opens, the others merely shrug their shoulders. But if the new hotel on le bloc is from the elite Cheval Blanc group, then its rivals sit up and notice.

Described as a ‘confidential haven’, the palatial hotel opened on the Seine’s Rive Droite last  September. Just a short walk from the Louvre, the hotel sits between Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf, facing the Notre Dame Cathedral on Ile de Cite.

Rooms range from Deluxe (Euro 1,150 per night) to the Louvre Deluxe Room (Euro 1,350 Euro), Eiffel Suite (Euro 5,600), Notre Dame Suite (Euro 5,100), and the Seine Suite (Euro 3,900).

The Ravel Suite sleeps seven while the Quintessence Suite sleeps nine. When joined, they form the The Apartment, which has a projection room, a fitness room, a treatment room, a hammam, a sauna and a private swimming pool with views of the Sacré-Cœur.

Imagined by Peter Marino: The Cheval Blanc has a strong sense of Art Déco heritage, a tribute to French savoir-faire and craftsmanship.

Food is under the command of three Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Donckele. Le Tout-Paris is a brasserie and cocktail bar, Langosteria is Italian fine dining, Limbar is an all-day bar while Plénitude is the gourmet jewel in the crown.

Designed by renowned architect Peter Marino, Cheval Blanc has a stunning rooftop with panoramic views of the Seine. Dior have taken up residence in the spa, decorating the six treatment suites and installing white onyx bathrooms.

An elegant hotel needs elegant staff uniforms and so Cheval Blanc turned to Guillaume Henry from Paris label Patou who says, “This line for Cheval Blanc combines Parisian elegance to a sporty appeal with an Art Deco aesthetic,” explains Henry.

The Paris hotel joins the Cheval Blanc portfolio which has properties in Courchevel, St Tropez, Maldives and St Barths.