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Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue’s global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you’re planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it’s worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide.
Why go here?
Cheval Blanc delivers all the French Riviera glamour you could dream of. It’s easy to imagine the South of France regulars of days gone by, such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, holidaying here. The lavish Guerlain spa (home to a hammam, snow shower, fitness area, and hair studio) is set against the beautiful bay of Saint-Tropez; expect to be lulled into calm, care of the soothing sounds and sights of the sea.
What’s the vibe?
Pure, unadulterated, old-school French Riviera luxury: The words “never lift a finger” feature on the hotel’s website, which perhaps says all you need to know. About 10 minutes outside of Saint-Tropez itself, Cheval Blanc is the perfect coastal bolthole to laze away the days—interspersed with long lunches and treatments, of course. There is an incredibly inviting freshwater pool overlooking the sea, alongside a private beach for optimal saltwater immersion. Glamorous, with great attention to detail, the sunshine never looked better.
The history
Once an unassuming—yet elegant—hotel named La Résidence de la Pinède (which opened in 1936), Cheval Blanc came into its own in 2019, after it was acquired by LVMH, the fashion house well-versed in the art of luxury. The interiors were masterminded by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, who drew upon the coastal views to create contemporary meets art nouveau-inspired bedrooms in shades of blue and cream.
What should you try?
The Croisière Riviera facial de-puffs, detoxifies, and drains lingering fluids from the skin. An exclusive collaboration between Guerlain and Louis Vuitton, it is nearly two hours of slow and rhythmic, sweeping facial massage and lymphatic drainage techniques—“calm” is not enough to describe how you will look and feel when you exit the room. I also had the most luxurious pedicure of my life, courtesy of renowned podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez’s expertly trained team. The De-Stress treatment alleviated muscular tension in the foot (yes, it’s a thing), then the pedicure gave me the baby-soft feet I’d been dreaming of.
What else do we need to know?
A good holiday is nothing without good food, so ensure you score a table at La Vague d’Or to experience chef Arnaud Donckele’s seasonal sea-and-land-themed cuisine. With three Michelin stars, it is not to be missed.
Who can go?
Anyone is welcome, whether for the day or as a guest.
Booking details for Cheval Blanc St.-Tropez
Address: Plage de la Bouillabaisse, 83990 Saint-Tropez, France
Read more from Vogue’s Global Spa Guide.