The Elle Hotel of the Month for December 2024: the Cheval Blanc on the Caribbean island of St Barth

There are hotels that are legends. Because they are located on dream beaches and combine French sophistication, tropical chic and the seductive charm of the luxury brand LVMH. The Cheval Blance on St Barth represents all of this. An evergreen hideaway in the tropics, a place of longing – and oursElle-Hotel des Monatsin December 2024.

St Barth (Saint Barthélémy) has been the epitome of luxury ever since the international jet set around David Rockefeller discovered the French Caribbean island in the 1960s. There are two hotel icons here: thisEden Rockand thatCheval Blanc St-Barth. While one is located in the lively Baie de Saint Jean, anyone who likes something a little more secluded can check in at the Cheval Blanc. The 61 rooms, suites and villas are hidden in a lush tropical jungle designed by famous landscape architect Madison Cox. Pure privacy - which is only disturbed by the occasional turtle. You stroll leisurely along the wooden walkways that connect the individual suites. Of course there is also a beach: the Plage de Flamandes. And although the water here is as turquoise as anywhere in the Caribbean, the waves are tough. A lifeguard is therefore always on site.

The rooms resemble small Mediterranean villas, often with a patio and private pool. The Garden category suites are embedded in the lush, tropical gardens and the Beach category suites are located in the main building, directly on the beach and offer fantastic views of the ocean. It was furnished by Jacques Grange with tiles in Caribbean-colored turquoise, soft ice cream rose, azure blue and lots of white. A wide variety of works of art hang above the bedsAboriginal Art. Braided wicker chairs, decorative objects from Africa, the Pacific Islands, South America and Asia, Werregue baskets and exotic plants ensure lightness.

Just as colorful and decorated in bright orange-red: the bar at Cheval Blanc. The ideal pit stop on the way to the beach restaurant. And speaking of art: it can be found everywhere in the resort. The Pegasus sculpture by the artist Jean-Michel Othoniel greets you at the entrance.

Americans love Cheval Blanc. Not just because it's only a four-hour flight to the USA. But also because the Hideaway benefits from the dazzling aura of the LVMH Group around Louis Vuitton and Dior. The Cheval Blanc St-Barth is the first luxury hotel outside of France, which opened in 2014 and reopened completely renovated after Hurricane Irma in 2018. New this year is the Guerlain Spa with the iconic Hydrafacials and five treatment rooms.

Tip: Be sure to have lunch in the White Bar by the pool! This is also possible for non-hotel guests. The menu features lukewarm avocado stuffed with lobster salad, the crispiest and truly best French fries on the island and fruit shaped into an artistic flower. So delicious!

Cheval Blanc St-Barth is a legend on the already legendary Caribbean island of St Barth. A hideaway in the middle of a tropical jungle that combines luxury and beach life in the most elegant way. And a pearl in the dazzling LVMH group.