Openings
Opening 2029

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc Naia Island Dubai

Cheval Blanc's first Maison in the Middle East, on a new private island off the Jumeirah coast.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

First look

This is Cheval Blanc's first Maison in the Middle East, and the brand is going about it the way LVMH usually does: a single property on a brand-new private island. Cheval Blanc Naia Island Dubai is slated for roughly 2029, built with Shamal Holding on Naia Island off the Jumeirah coast. The reported program is about 70 keys split into 30 suites and 40 private-pool villas, with branded beachfront residences on the side. Announced in August 2025, it is a genuine LVMH Cheval Blanc Maison, not to be confused with the unrelated Cheval Collection serviced-apartment company that shares part of the name.

On paper the appeal is the combination of a small key count, a villa-heavy mix, and an island that does not exist yet, which gives the developers room to shape the setting from scratch. There is no dedicated official property page yet, and 2029 is far enough out that the details will move. What we will be watching for is whether the villa-to-suite balance holds, how the residences sit against the hotel, and what the Gulf debut means for a brand that has so far kept its Maisons rare. For now this is anticipation, not a verdict.

Not yet scored. We publish a Fat Score only once a hotel is open and real guests have stayed and written about it — this is a first look, not a verdict.

Open now

What you can book today

Cheval Blanc Naia Island Dubaiis still under wraps. Here's what's already open and scored in our collection — more from Cheval Blanc, and nearby in United Arab Emirates.

Cheval Blanc Courchevel — Courchevel, France
Fat Favorite

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc Courchevel

Courchevel, France

Cheval Blanc Courchevel stands as the undisputed crown jewel of ski-in/ski-out luxury in the Alps, where LVMH's attention to detail meets legendary Three Valleys terrain access. The hotel's ski concierge service is genuinely transformative — they literally remove your boots and slip on cashmere slippers each return, then have your equipment perfectly prepared for the next morning. Le 1947 earns its three Michelin stars through Yannick Alléno's mastery, though some find the formal dining room lacks the cozy alpine charm you'd expect at this altitude. The real magic happens in the seamless choreography: direct slope access, impeccable service that anticipates every need, and rooms that blend contemporary luxury with subtle mountain references. Yes, everything costs double what it should, but when you're paying €4,000+ per night, the experience delivers on those inflated expectations.

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Cheval Blanc Paris — Paris, France
Fat Favorite

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc Paris

Paris, France

Cheval Blanc Paris is LVMH's most audacious hospitality statement — a 72-room property occupying the reimagined La Samaritaine building on the Seine that makes no apologies for its contemporary vision in a city that usually rewards tradition. Peter Marino's interiors are deliberately airy and modern, soaked in light through floor-to-ceiling glass, draped in custom textiles and contemporary art, and finished to a level of material quality that would embarrass most competitors — porous marble floors, velvet-wrapped phone cables, Dior perfumer François Demachy's bespoke bath scents. The gift-giving culture here is genuinely unmatched: nightly turndown surprises, suite amenities from the Dior Spa, and obsessive personal touches that accumulate into something emotionally affecting by the end of a stay. Plénitude, the in-house three-Michelin-star restaurant, is the city's most ambitious hotel dining room, and the rooftop bar pulls a genuinely local crowd. The honest caveats: this aesthetic is polarizing — travelers seeking gilded Haussmann grandeur will be disappointed, the glass-walled bathrooms are incompatible with friend travel, and noise from upper-floor restaurant activity and the Seine-side location surfaces enough across reviews to flag as a real concern for light sleepers.

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Cheval Blanc Randheli — Noonu Atoll, Maldives
Fat Favorite

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc Randheli

Noonu Atoll, Maldives

Jean-Michel Gathy's architectural masterpiece delivers the most sophisticated resort experience in the Maldives, where French luxury meets tropical paradise with stunning precision. The 47 villas, whether perched over lagoons or nestled on beaches, showcase impeccable design with infinity pools that blur into crystalline waters. Service operates at an intuitive level—butlers anticipate needs, chefs remember preferences by day two, and staff create those magical moments that justify the eye-watering rates. While recent management changes have introduced some inconsistencies in food quality and operational standards, the hard product remains unmatched, and when firing on all cylinders, this is the Maldivian experience that other resorts aspire to replicate.

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Cheval Blanc St-Tropez — Saint-Tropez, France
Fat Approved

Cheval Blanc

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez

Saint-Tropez, France

Cheval Blanc St-Tropez occupies a prime waterfront position on Flamands Beach, delivering the polished LVMH hospitality experience in a compact but supremely well-executed package. The property's greatest strength lies in its exceptional service — guests consistently rave about staff who remember names, anticipate needs, and create genuine warmth without the stuffiness often found at luxury hotels. While the rooms are notably small by luxury standards (a persistent complaint), they're beautifully designed with sea views and private terraces that effectively expand the living space. The three-Michelin-starred La Vague d'Or anchors an impressive dining program, though the hotel's intimate scale means limited facilities — the tiny pool and artificial beach won't satisfy those seeking expansive resort amenities. Location cuts both ways: you're walking distance to St-Tropez's shops and restaurants, but the shuttle dependency after 1 AM and main road proximity detract from the serenity you'd expect at this price point.

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From the desk

Get the first-look verdict

We publish our verdict the week Cheval Blanc Naia Island Dubai opens. Get it in the monthly note, before the rest of the internet catches up.

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