Review: Cheval Blanc Paris

Great review Ben. Love your pictures and detailed experience.

Thank you.

However I think you meant 65 square meters as opposed to feet in describing your room.

It's not every day you see krug in a hotel minibar. But did you manage to resist it?

Thanks Ben for satisfying my hotel porn fantasies for a while…unless I can turn my Hyatt points into dollars, I will stick with the Park Hyatt for now.

Do you know if you could use the Citi 4th night free feature at these places? No extras but the free night would help the pocketbook.

Great review! Interestingly, from the pictures, the style and decor doesn’t look particularly impressive to me. Kind of like the average Grand/Park Hyatt in Asia, and with rather low ceilings… But maybe it is hard to appreciate the quality of the materials based on the pictures.

A quiet room is essential for us. That knocks the Cheval Blanc off our list

Great review Ben as always! Also I think you might have meant square meters for the room size.

Interesting review. Always been curious about Cheval Blanc properties so glad you took one for the team ;).
I'm surprised at the room pictures. And maybe, like you said, they don't translate well how it looks in real life but the room decor looked rather boring and generic to me (except the beautiful hallway)? The couches in the living room area look really out of place for instance, at least in picture.

Love the thoughtfulness around the toiletries though, that's pretty awesome and would have totally raided that as well!

Like others said the soundproofing is a deal breaker for me, I would have been so upset. And the service in the restaurants is unacceptable given the price tag. But if they sell out... I guess it doesn't matter for their bottom line.
Thanks again for another great review!

I’m guessing when you were there, Plentitude restaurant has yet to be opened at the hotel? It’s opened by a chef with three Michelin Star credential so I’m sure food will be comparable to Le Cinq.

It’s disappointing to hear that you can hear street noise. Reminded me of my stay at Casa Gangotena in Quito. Except in Paris, there are plenty of luxury hotel options. Quito, not so much. I guess I’m shortening my stay at Cheval Blanc then. Quietude is very important at a hotel stay. Surprised Cheval Blanc has not figured that out yet given this is not their first hotel property. Their property at the Maldives is to die for. The lip balm you may or may not have taken is my fav. I may or may not have taken a few during my visit at Cheval Blanc Randheli. 😉

Agree with the couches. Everything else also looks nice but as expected for a 5 star hotel. Toiletries though… best I’ve ever seen

Looking for a special place to stay for an upcoming trip to Paris, I was excited when I started reading your review (excellent, as always). I stopped the moment you mentioned the noise and insulation problems.

Do you think the hotel, having such a major flaw (which you noted may not be fixable), will get away with this in the long run?

Ben, another 10/10 review! Your concise analysis and spectacular, “real life” photos make you the best in the business. Bravo!

The decor seems beautiful but generic—are you at 45 Park Lane in London or the Bvlgari in Milan? Chic but in no way Parisian. The noise issue is 100% on the architect—I believe this is his first important hotel project. This is a major issue. It will result in this not being the Parisian home hotel for frequent Paris travelers—a one stay only Palace.

It seems JK Place Paris on the Left Bank or La Reserve are better boutique hotel options. I think I’ll pass on CB Paris.

Hah! La Samaritaine !!!

I was a customer of La Samaritaine, when the department store was independant.
Nothing like Harrod's, but the buildings were always so interesting but from another time.

"the sound insulation"
That must be the big issue because this part of the building is probably listed.
You have to know that La Samaritaine is like the Eiffel Tower: it is just steal, no brick or stone at all.

Up to 2004, when La Samaritaine was independant, the floors were in this part fo the buiding, just glasses !
Because when this part was created by the architect Jourdain, the idea at that time was to let light ge inside the building.
When LVMH bought La Samaritaine (LVMH also owns Le Bon Marché), after one century of existence, suddenly the préfecture said the glasses floors are a danger in case of fire because of the meldown of the floor.
With all the administrative caveats, that put La Samaritaine closed for more than 15 years, which has never happened before.
When independant, La Samaritaine will never been able to handle that, but la préfecture may have think LVMH could pay.

You cannot do what you want in that kind of building.
L'architecte en chef des Monuments Historiques (a civil servant) had to manage the refurbishment of the building. And LVMH could not do all it wanted although LVMH was keen to follow some constraints.

Gosh ! I had the dream I could live at La Samaritaine when shopping of the four floor and seeing the Seine river.
You done it !!!!

On the fifth floor was Le Toupary... when La Samaritaine was independant. Another restaurant, not teh level of now Le Tout-Paris. Nice that Cheval Blanc kept the same name.
The floor of the current restaurant were offices non available to customers at the time of independant La Samaritaine.

And the terrass on the top was free access, and one of the not so well know best place for a point of view of Paris for free from above.

Thanks very much for the report, Ben.
And thanks to Ford for the idea of this hotel hopping.

Glad to see your review and thanks for quoting me lol. Your review is consistent with my experience.

The rooms are absolutely beautiful. They do look bland in pictures but the layers of texture and variety of materials made them feel super luxurious and warm in person. The toiletries and details (eg the straws with logos in the minibar) are also exceptional. I believe the Dior creams are placed in every room. We received the face cream our first night and a bottle of serum on the third or fourth night.

On dining, there’s also Plenitude which is the true gastronomic restaurant in the hotel. We had dinner there and were impressed. It’s performing at a solid two star level and desserts approached three star level, which was even more impressive considering they opened just a month ago. They’re already charging three star prices though. The chef (Arnaud Donckele) is also the culinary consultant for AF La Premiere. I also have to say the pain au chocolat at Le Tout Paris was exceptional. One of the best I’ve ever had.

Knowing that this is Cheval Blanc, I am not worried about any service issues. That is definitely due to it being so new and they are still working everything out. We've had a few people stay there already for work and each time it seems to get a bit better. The sound issues are great to know - thank you for an awesome report.

Next you have to do places like Le Bristol, the new Airelles Grand Controle (Versailles), etc! I know you get a lot of complaints for non-points properties, but I love them and they are a great change of pace.

If you liked the rooms in Cheval Blanc, you'd like the Peninsula.

Kind of unfair to 45 PL no? Their Art Deco style is certainly not generic

@ Stephen Morrissey -- Thanks! And indeed, I meant 65 square meters. Updated the post to reflect that.

@ St James -- Hah, I saved my champagne desires for the next time I'm flying a great first class product. A bit better of a value. 😉

@ Pete -- That's a great question, unfortunately I'm not sure nowadays. It all comes down to what hotels show through Citi ThankYou, and what ends up showing can be pretty random at times.

@ Claus -- Yeah, I really think the pictures don't do justice to the layers, textures, and materials, as HC notes as well.

@ JetSetGo -- Somehow I didn't even realize that restaurant existed, but I've updated the post now to reflect that. I explored as many of the hotel's restaurants as possible, but missed that one. I think I didn't realize about it because it's listed at the very bottom of the hotel's dining page, and somehow I didn't make it that far down.

@ Up Up & Away -- Great question. I suspect the hotel will get away with this, given how few rooms there are, and the name recognition that it enjoys. Furthermore, the hotel has a lot of positive aspects that will make many people forgiving, I think.

@ HC -- Thanks for the further info about your stay!

Wow. Sorry tp read about the noise and service issues, but everything else...just wow. I'd probably have to bring an extra bag with me to take the toiletries home:):)

I was reading the dinner menu section while eating a lowly sandwich. I've never enjoyed a sandwich less!

I love that on the breakfast menu, “le pain au chocolat” is translated as “The Pain au Chocolat” - is this some quirk of French I don’t remember?

Thanks for the great reviews and letting us "share" your wonderful trip. Paris is probably my favorite city in the world and now I really, really want to go back (alas, my budget doesn't include paying for rooms at over $1,000/night). That rooftop bar/restaurant looks amazing. Can you visit without being a guest? And by the way, for a charming, less expensive boutique hotel, I love the Hotel Relais St Germaine, owned by the chef Yves Cambdeborde. Food was wonderful. location fabulous and the rooms charming.

Facade at 45 Park Lane and lobby are (as they prominently advertise) Art Deco. I was referring to the general appearance of the suites themselves at 45 PL reminding me of Ben’s CB photos.
Just an opinion. I appreciate your point.

Wow looks like a great place to stay.... great write-up and pictures.

Pheomenal review that left no stone unturned — with an incredible number of photos!

Well done!

p.s. that pool

p.p.s. but the soundproofing, yikes

We were there the October 16-19 room 511 (massive suite). Similar issues you experienced but I would go back in a heartbeat.

Ben, thanks for allowing me a brief fantasy escape to Cheval Blanc Paris! I loved your engaging review of this amazing hotel. However, being sensitive to noise, that issue would likely be a deal breaker for me like some others. I did love the variety of pillow offerings and was wondering which one you and Ford chose!

Frankly it looks like any one of a gadzillion gaudy Chinese hotels that can be had for 5% of the price, albeit with edible food.

Sound issues are a deal-breaker. To be paying 1200 Euros a night and have that is not acceptable. Service issues can probably be improved, but the sound issues will be hard to fix unless there's a pretty big renovation. Seems like a huge oversight and failure for a luxury hotel in Paris.

Really enjoyed these three reviews.

Ben, this is an excellent post and I can hear your enthusiasm just by reading it. Very glad this trip went great, very good reads and of course best wishes for good health to your Mother.

Thanks for reviewing some grand Parisian hotels, Ben.

That’s also what I thought. Obviously taste is a personal thing, but to me the decor had absolutely no appeal.
Also - I love Paris, and will give the hotel credit that maybe their coffee is better than the (low) standard, but 12 euros for a cappuccino!! Seriously people.

No, if it were decorated to (Mainland) Chinese standards, there would be more and shinier surfaces and metal decorative elements. You still have more to learn

As an Italian my jaw just fell down when I read the price for a cappuccino even if it's a luxury hotel.

I thought the same thing. The hotel interior could be in any major city in Asia. La Samaritaine is such an important Art Noveau building, I’m sorry LVHM didn’t spend all that money making the inside of the hotel match the outside.

If you need to consider your pocketbook, maybe this isn't the place for you.

Like most people who are not the 1%, Stick to the points game and just have fantasies. Don't be a wannabes.

3 world class reviews thanks for this series Lucky! Paris has never been high on my list after my first albeit quick visit but now its close to if not the top of my list.

You did an excellent job really highlighting the differences and what makes each unique allowing the reader to gravitate towards one of these hotels in particular. I have messaged my travel advisor to plan a 2 night stay at the....

Just curious - what do you tip when the hotel provides the airport transfer and who do you tip to? Does the driver take you all the way through immigration or is that a different person that you also have to tip?

Agree to disagree but that the photographs suggest this might be the most hideously furnished luxury hotel I've ever seen. When you're spending that much money on a hotel room and the physical layout is the same cookie cutter design as every hotel in Vegas (personally I despise when bathtubs have the glass partition opening into the guest room).... I'm stumped. There are people who love modern European design and people who hate it, and the people who love it are wrong.

Also, what's under the bed!? Is that an extra mattress pad they stowed under there?

I was invited by the Cheval to stay and experience their service on their first week. The hotel itself is fine - I expected such attention to detail and found it to be on par with other ultra luxury properties around the world. This property would most compare in its pomp and ambience to the extravagant Oberoi properties.

The service on the other hand is subpar. The staff did not seem trained adequately nor refined to their competitors, especially when compared to equally luxurious properties across Asia. In addition, the warmth from the service landed in every area.

The dining was average and all of the other amenities fine. The decor and art pieces were actually toned down a notch from what was displayed on the first week. Frankly. I found the hotel decor far too busy, nauseating and overstimulating, for a sophisticated stay. The pool was pretty, but inadequate for the amount of rooms. Finally, they miss the mark even on their transportation. Most hotels of this category aspire to provide transportation in something other than a conventional and sterile S-Class.

In summary, a fine hotel. Just not great. I’m surprised to read such a favourable review on this property. There is promise that this hotel may become one of the greats, but it is far from it today. Everything mentioned here was already shared a feedback to the hotel.

A *buckweat* pillow??? I know the French can't pronounce their H's, but are they now leaving the letter out completely when writing?
Seriously though, a hotel of this standard should have someone proofread their English before going to print (or in this case, embroidery)!

Seems to me that a hotel which cannot get a very basic component right - a peaceful room - would not be able to compete with the likes of a Ritz or a George V in the long run. They would either have to price more competitively or MASSIVELY provide more services than the other two to make up for such a fatal flaw.

Wow this looks stunning but any 5 star hotel that has street noise deserves 1 star I’m afraid

There is another Dior spa, also in Paris. Hotel Plaza Athenee

My work day just disappeared as I devoured this trip review .... a gorgeously curated view of Paris.
But might I suggest that the bracelet found at Cheval Blanc is indeed a hair tie.

omg you and your american tipping craziness....leave that tipping mentality in 'Merica next time you leave!

Thank you Ben for these incredible trip reports, I missed them! As many others already mentioned, we love your occasional non-points luxury hotel reviews. There's is always a readership for those.

Regarding noise insulation, would you say that was only an issue during the daytime, and something that would only bother me if i happen to spend time in my hotel room during the day? Or was it also an issue at nighttime?

Amazing, we must stay there for at least a week next time in Paris. One night won't be enough!

I stayed at this hotel couple weeks ago for five days and I can say they are still trying to get everything right during Covid time.

First the pluses: the finishes in the room is incredible. If you are in the architecture/ interior design trade, you will notice just about everything is done in the most expensive way. I’m talking type of finishes you put in $10M+ homes in Beverly Hills. The white onyx bathroom came from one extremely long sheet of onyx as lines on the stone is continuous from left of the bathroom all the way to the right. This is more expensive way than cladding walls with book match granite you see in many luxury homes. The closet is clad with individual walls papered rectangular panels. We are not talking about wall paint or wallpaper illusion here. We are talking about putting rectangular puzzles together. The amount of work that went into a closet is crazy. French unions are not exactly cheap. Other pluses include house cars are always ready to drive me around. At the Ritz Paris, house cars are never available and they only have house car service after 6pm! I never heard such a thing before! Third plus is Plentitude restaurant. To me it’s about two Michelin star level (currently it has zero as restaurant just opened not long ago). Fourthly, if you stay here, get fruit salad in the morning. I have never seen fruit salad cut with such precision… clearly it’s done by a well trained kitchen staff. I never thought I would ever talk about fruit salad on any review but this one is exceptional. Lastly, I’m happy to say no noise issue like Lucky reported when I was there except police car sirens noise which one hears all the time in big cities like NYC so no big deal.

Minuses: I would get room/ suite facing LVMH headquarter as that side is further away from next door building. If you get assigned to the other side, have fun enjoy watch people work (and they can see right into your room as well). If your room is facing Seine, then you will be fine. Secondly, concierge team is enthusiastic but young… what that means is they have no pull unlike the ones at the Ritz Paris. They are not able to get Hermes leather appointment for one. @Lucky, go ask Ford. He can explain the whole challenging process to you about getting an appointment at Hermes. Lastly, the hotel just feels it needs more time to get itself into gear.

I would give this hotel a try if you like unbelievable interior finishes. The finishes here make George V look pedestrian tbh. With that said, if you can’t tell the difference or don’t care about ultra luxury finishes, then I would not bother with Cheval Blanc Paris.