[October 2019] Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ (SLH) is further expanding its luxury footprint in the French market with two new properties in exceptional settings joining the brand this month – Lou Pinet in St-Tropez (opened on 14th June 2019) and Le Coucou Méribel (opening on 12th December 2019). Both hotels are part of Maisons Pariente, a new luxury collection of boutique five-star hotels owned by fashion and property entrepreneur Patrick Pariente and his two daughters, Leslie Kouhana and Kimberley Pariente.
Perched along the slopes near Belvédère and close to Le Rond Point des Pistes, Le Coucou Méribel is an elegant ski-in/ski-out hotel boasting 55 guest bedrooms and suites as well as two private chalets, two restaurants, including one Beefbar and one Italian eatery, BiancaNeve by Riccardo Giraudi, and a spa with six treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam and sauna. A nod to the hotel’s name, translated to “the cuckoo”, can be found in the Beefbar where a feature wall is adorned with an entire collection of old cuckoo clocks. The hotel also caters to littles ones with two kid’s clubs offering activity workshops, a climbing wall and the chance to meet a snow yeti as well as other friendly monsters.
Five minutes from the Place de Lices and a stone’s throw from the French Riviera’s most sought-after beaches, Lou Pinet is a secret refuge with 34 guest bedrooms and suites, one restaurant and two bars, hidden away from the lively surroundings of Saint-Tropez. French architect, interior decorator and designer Charles Zana has created an intimate hideaway that echoes the Bohemian spirit of the 60’s and 70’s with natural décor including linen, ceramic, rope, terracotta and whitewash. Outside, the hotel features a large lush garden, which boasts a lavender field and herb garden, serving as a majestic backdrop to the property’s three houses, terrace and emerald green pool, the largest in Saint-Tropez.
Both hotels host a Beefbar restaurant, offering guests the opportunity to try the rarest meats with the most prestigious origins, from Black Angus from Argentina and the USA to Australian Wagyu and Japanese Kobe, as well as an impressive dessert buffet, with fruit tarts, succulent cakes and giant éclairs.
Daniel Luddington, Vice President of Development at SLH, says: “We have selected the stylish Lou Pinet and Le Coucou Méribel to add to our distinguished portfolio of hotels. Both properties combine chic design, complete privacy and attentive but discreet service, offering the ultimate French getaway to rest and recharge. Maisons Pariente’s personalised approach, allowing guests to relax as if they were at home, perfectly aligns with the high standards of quality and individuality required of the SLH collection”.
Patrick Pariente, Founder of Maisons Pariente, says: “We are delighted to integrate an organisation as prestigious as Small Luxury Hotels of the World, as we share the same independently-minded ethos and dedication towards the guests we serve. This partnership will give us a great platform to connect with our global customers and will reinforce our reputation as one of the finest new luxury hotel groups in France”.