Cheval Blanc

Courchevel

In the Savoy region’s fabulous Trois Vallées - Three Valleys - domain, Courchevel is the Mecca of luxury skiing, making it hard to believe that it was originally created just after the war as an inexpensive leisure spot for workers with annual paid vacations. The resort is spread over five villages: Saint-Bon, Courchevel-Le Praz, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850, the latter being the favorite of the jet set. With its palace hotels and its renowned restaurants, Courchevel 1850 is the Saint-Tropez of winter sports for Russian multi-millionaires as well as the rest of the world’s rich and famous. Thanks to the efforts of a number of entrepreneurs, wood became the principal construction element rather than concrete, which was only used at the entrance to the station and for the Croisette. The rest of this charming wooded resort possesses small private chalets, luxury hotels and the chalets of the very wealthy. As a favorite vacation spot for the world’s elite, everything has been done to adapt to the needs of this prestigious clientele. Here, guests put their skis on at the door to their hotel and head for the 10,000 hectares of skiable slopes and trails making it the largest station in the world. And after a tiring but invigorating day of skiing, visitors can choose from the station’s 150 luxury boutiques in which the greatest names in high fashion and jewelry are represented, and along with the resort’s lively night clubs, Courchevel 1850 has all it takes to satisfy crowned heads, film and show business stars and jet setters from all over the world.

A true winter palace

In the heart of the alpine “Jardin”, the Cheval Blanc - White Horse - is the undisputed jewel of Courchevel 1850. In front of the door of this vast chalet, the immense mirrored statue of a horse indicates to visitors that they’re in the right place. A number of years ago, the owner, Bernard Arnoult, CEO of the luxury goods company, LVMH, chose the name of a vintage Bordeaux wine for a new luxury product.

The 34 rooms and suites of this palace hotel with magnificent views of the mountains were designed with elegance and refinement. In this truly exceptional refuge, luxury is unlimited. Works of art, objects by contemporary creators, noble types of wood and patina leather are all present. In the rooms, woolen sheets, velvet, taffeta and precious leather harmonize with tones of shiny brown, mauve and aged bronze, to provide warmth to the raw stone and rare wood. The ultra modern technical equipment including flat screen television sets and lighting programs for all times of day, blends into the high fashion décor. The bathrooms have a hammam type shower, and each room has a terrace or a balcony with a panoramic view of the mountains.

After a day of skiing, guests can take advantage of the swimming pool encrusted into the rock of the Cheval Blanc Spa or enjoy an after-ski massage. Once relaxed, invigorated or at peace with oneself, it’s time to head for the restaurant, the “1947”, which offers a creative and well-balanced cuisine accompanied by the exceptional Saint-Emilion grand cru, the famous Cheval Blanc.

Bernard Arnoult originally purchased this former hotel in order to make it his own personal chalet, but he was refused authorization to make it a private residence. He therefore decided to create the Cheval Blanc, his first hotel, organized in his image as if he had designed it for himself.