Maisons & Hotels Sibuet: An Invitation to the Good Life…
A (Virtual) conversation WITH Marie sIbuet, Owner & Managing Director
Les Fermes De Marie (Photo Credit: CN Traveller)
How did Maisons & Hotels Sibuet (M&HS) come about?
In 1981, my parents boldly took on the adventure of buying a small boutique hotel in Megève, France. They dismantled the existing farms and used the original wood (they numbered each piece) to create Les Fermes de Marie, cultivating & epitomizing a new art of hospitality in the mountains. Today, it sets the standard for living and staying in the Alps. Shortly after, they took on the legendary Hotel Mont-Blanc, giving it a new elegance as it entered its’ best years. In 1996, the Sibuet touch acquired Lodge Park which, with a savage and sophisticated spirit, quickly became the chic trendy trapper haunt of Megève.
My parent’s entrepreneurial spirit soon enticed them to Provence and La Bastide de Marie, an enchanting retreat in the heart of the vineyards, was born. Moving South, they were seduced by Villa Marie and the “Riviera” atmosphere of Saint- Tropez.
In 2011, the adventure continued with the whole family when my brother Nicolas and I joined the company.
Five years later, the label finally had a home in the Caribbean coconut palms on the iconic island of Saint-Barth. The “French West Indies” version of our beloved Villa Marie was born - Villa Marie St. Barth.
And the rest of the story remains to be written...
What is The mission of the M&HS?
An invitation to the good life, where everything is pleasure, charm, and enchantment…
Local cuisine with sundrenched dishes beachside or hearty winter flavors hearthside, terraced olive groves that extend to infinity or immaculately manicured gardens, vibrant colorful fabrics or antiques from the far north...
Whether you are tucked away in a Provencal vineyard or on the snowy slopes of Megève, each one of our addresses is stamped with a unique atmosphere, matched impeccably to its exact environment.
Villa Marie St. Tropez
Focusing on where American Citizens can currently travel - what does a perfect day look like at Villa Marie St. Barth?
8 am: Your day starts smoothly with a sumptuous breakfast by the pool under the palm trees. Your order? Savoury French toast.
9 am: Wake up your muscles with a scenic jog to the iconic and secluded Colombier beach, enjoying your first divine swim of the day with the tortoises.
1 pm: Hop in your convertible Mini Cooper and head to our new beach club, Gypsea, on Pelican Beach in St. Jean bay. Settle down at your table facing the turquoise blue waters, toes in the sand, and savor a delicious grilled lobster (freshly caught of course).
3 pm: Put yourself to the test and experience flying above water on an electric hydrofoil surfboard.
5 pm: After a day at the beach, stop in Gustavia for some quality shopping in the most prestigious stores. Finish by refreshing yourself at the Select bar with a cool Caribe local beer.
7 pm: Take a break and treat yourself to a treatment at Villa Marie Pure Altitude spa. We recommend our after-sun repairing ritual which includes a coconut pulp scrub, a coconut body wrap, and ends with a coconut oil massage.
9 pm: Discover the best of French dining at our elegant François Plantation restaurant and savor our signature dish, the local fish Bouillabaisse, followed by our luscious lemon soufflé.
Do you have a famous menu item we can share with our clients?
Mahi Mahi hot dog
Serving Size: 4 people
Ingredients
- 4 good quality hot dog buns
- 380 g of sea bream flesh (mahi-mahi) without skin or bones
- 3 mild peppers seeded and finely diced
- 1 clove of chopped purple garlic
- 1 bunch of chopped coriander
- 50 g of melted soft butter + 1 knob of fresh butter (~2 Tbsp)
- 30 g fried onion chips (canned or homemade)
- 4 g salt
- White pepper from the mill
- 2 pinches of Espelette pepper
- Matouk sauce (hot pepper purée, in delicatessen)
- 320 g of 0% fat curd cheese (cottage cheese)
- 1 small fresh tomato, hulled, deseeded and diced
- 80 g of peeled cucumber, deseeded and diced
- 10 g grey shallot, finely chopped
- 2 chives, finely chopped
- 2 tsp. lime juice
- 8 pinches of Cajun spices
- 6 to 8 mustard shoots
- 40 to 50 g of arugula
- Olive oil
- Balsamic Vinegar
Pass the mahi-mahi flesh through a food processor. In a bowl, mix the chopped mahi-mahi flesh with half of the peppers, half of the chopped garlic, and half of the bunch of chopped coriander. Finally add the warm melted butter so that it doesn't set too quickly. Mix quickly.
Season at your convenience with salt, ground pepper, Espelette pepper and a few drops of Matouk.
Immediately shape 4 'hot dogs’, ideally with the help of stretch film, so as to tighten the flesh sufficiently so that it does not fall apart during cooking.
Keep the sausages in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, so that they can set and harden.
Mix the cottage cheese with the other half of the vegetarian chilli peppers, coriander, chopped garlic, tomato, cucumber, chopped shallot, chives, and lime juice in a small bowl.
Season to your liking with salt, ground pepper and Matouk.
Keep at room temperature. After using, keep the rest of the condiments in a cool place.
Open the hot dog buns in half and toast both sides under a grill.
Heat a frying pan and add a knob of soft butter. When the butter is foamy, sear the sausages so that they are well browned then let cook for about 2 minutes to keep a light softness.
Spread the hot dog buns generously with the cottage cheese condiment.
Place the mahi-mahi rolls, sprinkle generously with broken fried onion and mustard sprouts and close the buns.
As an accompaniment, a few leaves of arugula seasoned with olive oil and balsamic vinegar vinaigrette will be perfect!
Enjoy!
(Photo Credit: CN Traveller)
LUXE & NYx PICK - People Watching & Daydreaming at Villa Marie’s Gypsea Beach club
The Restaurant: Roasted, smoked, grilled, braised, here, from starter to dessert, everything or almost everything is done on the barbecue. Our menu of chic and rustic simplicity is focused around local and seasonal products. Start with the barbecued watermelon with feta and arugula, followed by the catch of the day, ending with a coconut banana fritter for dessert.
The Bar: At the Rum Bar, the atmosphere is festive without being boring! The DJ mixes while the barman shakes you his best signature cocktail or introduces you to the rarest rums. For a healthy break, smoothies and fresh fruit juices are available. For lovers of beautiful cigars, you will discover the most beautiful beach cigar cellar!
The Beach: Located at the eastern end of the mythical beach of Saint-Jean, on the edge of a lagoon blue ocean, the Pelican beach is a small corner of paradise. From morning to night, you can enjoy cocktails and idleness, or indulge in one of the many activities on offer. Rent a daybed or go snorkeling & stand up paddleboarding - or all of the above!
Sea Bazaar: You can't leave without a visit to the boutique, with its sharp selection of brands found in the most beautiful corners of the world: the unique Kilomètres Paris embroidered pieces, the Indian saris from Hand So On, the little Lem Lem beach dresses, the tie dye from Nous Antwerp, the baskets from Favela Market, the Tatiane swimsuits from Freitas, the jewellery from Pascale Monvoisin and Venessa Arizaga. Women's, men's and children's collections and accessories: there is something for everyone, for every taste.
“Gyp Sea, you come barefoot and with salty hair, you stay there for its simplicity”
luxe & Nyx amenity
On top of our standard amenities, L&N clients will be offered a beach bag and welcome drink on arrival.
Ready to Book or Have Questions?
We can’t wait to experience the good life at Villa Marie St. Barth!
Visit us here or reach out - hello@luxeandnyx.com.
xx, The team at luxe & nyx
