Cheval Blanc Paris review: 72 rooms and suites inside the redeveloped Samaritaine department store on the Seine, the Dior Spa's 30-metre pool, Maxime Frédéric's pastry program, and who should book the Right Bank address over the Place de la Concorde cluster.
Cheval Blanc Paris is a 72-room and suite hotel inside the redeveloped Samaritaine Art Deco department store on the Seine near the Pont Neuf, LVMH's first urban luxury hotel. It centers on the Dior Spa, built around a 30-metre mosaic-clad pool (the longest in any Paris hotel), and four restaurants including Maxime Frédéric's pastry program.
The verdict
Cheval Blanc Paris Review: The Samaritaine Flagship's Dior Spa and Pool
Cheval Blanc Paris pairs LVMH's contemporary flagship register with Paris's largest hotel pool — the trade-off is a Samaritaine, Right Bank address by the Pont Neuf rather than the Place de la Concorde palace cluster.
Who should book
In favour
- Travelers who want LVMH's contemporary flagship register inside a landmark Art Deco building on the Seine
- Anyone who will actually use the Dior Spa's 30-metre pool — the longest in any Paris hotel — and its full sauna/hammam/fitness program
- Pastry-focused travelers: Maxime Frédéric runs the hotel's dessert program across its four restaurants
Worth knowing
- Travelers set on the Place de la Concorde palace cluster — Cheval Blanc sits on the Right Bank near the Pont Neuf, not that specific square; book the Crillon or the Ritz for that address instead
- Anyone expecting a large room count — at 72 rooms and suites, this is a boutique-scale palace, smaller than most Paris flagships
- Confirmed current suite categories and rates before booking — the two-level pool suite and other top categories move with availability
The building and location
Cheval Blanc Paris occupies a thorough interior redevelopment of La Samaritaine, the Art Deco department store on the Right Bank, looking out over the Pont Neuf toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés across the Seine. It is LVMH's first urban luxury hotel. The address places it near the Louvre and Pont Neuf rather than in the Place de la Concorde cluster where the Crillon and Ritz sit — travelers set on that specific square should book one of those two instead.
Rooms and suites
The hotel has 72 rooms and suites, a boutique scale relative to Paris's larger palace hotels. The most extravagant suite spans two levels and includes its own private swimming pool. Exact current suite categories and rates should be confirmed directly before booking.
VIAIVE image set for this Journal guide.
Dior Spa and dining
The Dior Spa, designed by architect Peter Marino, is built around a 30-metre pool clad in mosaics by artist Michael Mayer — the longest pool in any Paris hotel — surrounded by mirrors and LED screens, with a sauna, hammam, fitness studio, snow shower, and hair salon. Dining spans four restaurants staffed by an all-star chef team, with Maxime Frédéric running the hotel's pastry program.
Frequently asked
How many rooms does Cheval Blanc Paris have?
72 rooms and suites in total, a boutique scale for a Paris palace hotel. The most extravagant suite spans two levels and has its own private swimming pool.
What is the Dior Spa at Cheval Blanc Paris?
A spa designed by architect Peter Marino, built around a 30-metre mosaic-clad pool by artist Michael Mayer — the longest pool in any Paris hotel — plus a sauna, hammam, fitness studio, snow shower, and hair salon.
Where is Cheval Blanc Paris located?
Inside the redeveloped Samaritaine department store on the Right Bank near the Pont Neuf, looking toward Saint-Germain-des-Prés across the Seine — not in the Place de la Concorde palace cluster where the Crillon and Ritz sit.