Summer has arrived at Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, and the doors are open once again. The seaside Maison, the fourth in the LVMH-owned Cheval Blanc family, runs only through the warm months, from May to October, so each season has a real sense of occasion. Thirty rooms sit right on the sand, Chef Arnaud Donckele cooks at the three-Michelin-starred La Vague d’Or, and the Spa Cheval Blanc by Guerlain is ready again, all wrapped in an old pine grove at the edge of the village.
The hotel sits at the quiet end of the village, with its own stretch of white sand and an old pine grove giving shade overhead. For a few months each year it opens its doors, and the 2026 season is now happily under way.
The hotel has been welcoming guests since 1936, when it first opened as the Résidence de la Pinède. It stayed a favourite along this coast for decades. LVMH Hotel Management bought it in 2016, gave it a careful refresh, and reopened it as the fourth Cheval Blanc address in 2019, alongside the brand’s hotels in Courchevel, the Maldives and Saint-Barthélemy.
Sand and shore
Set directly on the white sands of Bouillabaisse Beach, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez occupies a rare position as the only hotel in Saint-Tropez with a true beachfront setting. While the village’s lively harbour, boutiques and restaurants are just a short stroll away, the property feels worlds apart, offering a quieter, more secluded side of the Riviera.
With just 24 rooms and six suites, the hotel maintains an intimate atmosphere where service feels highly personal and every detail is considered. Many of the accommodations open onto private terraces or balconies, with views stretching across the Mediterranean, the surrounding pine grove or the rooftops of Saint-Tropez.
The sea is woven into every aspect of the experience. Around sixty loungers line the beach overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez, while a heated infinity pool, maintained at a comfortable 30 degrees, invites guests to swim at any time of day. For those looking to venture beyond the shore, the private pontoon provides direct access to boat excursions and a range of water sports.
Calm in Colour
One of the most distinctive features of Cheval Blanc St-Tropez is its signature shade of deep blue, inspired by the Mediterranean horizon that stretches beyond the hotel. Rich azure tones flow throughout the property, reflecting the colours of the sea and sky while creating a sense of understated Riviera elegance.
The latest transformation of the Maison was shaped by two architects whose approaches complement one another perfectly. François Vieillecroze, a Saint-Tropez native with a deep connection to Provence, reimagined the exterior, drawing on his intimate knowledge of both the site and the region.
Inside, Jean-Michel Wilmotte introduced a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic, opening up the spaces to allow natural light to move freely through the interiors. Together, they have refreshed the property while preserving the character.
The work of celebrated ceramic artist Roger Capron remains central to that identity. His original columns and monumental fresco in the Résidence de la Pinède have long been part of the hotel’s story, and Wilmotte has expanded his presence throughout the redesign. Capron’s coffee tables, sculptures and drawings now serve as key design elements, woven seamlessly into the architectural narrative.
Set against a palette of luminous whites and Mediterranean blues, these pieces create a living tribute to one of the twentieth century’s most influential artistic voices, ensuring the resort remains deeply rooted in the culture and craftsmanship of the French Riviera.
Land and Sea
Dining is one of the defining experiences at Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, where the flavours, landscapes and traditions of Provence are brought to life through the vision of Arnaud Donckele. Awarded three Michelin stars, Donckele has built a reputation for creating deeply expressive cuisine that draws inspiration from the region’s extraordinary natural diversity. Land, sea, wind and stone all find their way onto the plate, with local ingredients and seasonal produce serving as the foundation of every menu.
La Vague d’Or, meaning “The Golden Wave” is the signature restaurant which has earned three Michelin stars, five toques and an impressive 19/20 rating from Gault & Millau. Here, they present an exceptional dining experience centred largely around seafood and the rich culinary heritage of Provence, creating memorable dishes that reflect the character of the Mediterranean.
La Terrasse offers laid-back Riviera dining by the water throughout the season, serving leisurely lunches and elegant dinners with uninterrupted sea views. On Wednesday evenings, the restaurant comes alive with its popular Riviera Nights, where live music and open-air barbecues create a vibrant social atmosphere beneath the stars.
Meanwhile, Le Bar provides a sophisticated setting for cocktails and light refreshments, its nautical-inspired design offering the perfect place to pause between afternoons on the beach and evenings in the village. Together, these venues create a dining programme that captures the spirit of Saint-Tropez, balancing world-class gastronomy with the effortless elegance of Mediterranean living.
Rest and Ritual at Guerlain spa
The Spa Cheval Blanc by Guerlain is the only Guerlain spa in Saint-Tropez, and a calm spot to slow down. Its four treatment rooms, done in sand, pale wood and golden stone, offer signature Guerlain treatments, and there is now a men’s barber service created with Belgian barber Kevin Boon.
Even the scent of the place is its own. Riviera Chic, made for the hotel by Guerlain’s Thierry Wasser, mixes fig and citrus with woody notes from the pine grove, finished with a touch of jasmine and sea air.
Always a warm welcome
Service is warm and personal, built on the Cheval Blanc idea of the Art de Recevoir. Ambassadors handle requests, Alchemists plan the days, and the concierge keeps everything ticking along, with many guests welcomed back by name season after season.
No two days need look the same. The team can arrange anything from a shopping trip along the coast to a spin in a race car, a morning foraging near the woods, or a slow day doing very little by the pool.