Shellona
- Thread starter belinda
- Start date
That would be unusual . . . it typically has remained open ‘til late-August, with re-opening mid-October. How reliable is your source of info?
That’ll be a big change.
I would guess the same thing . . . maybe a variant of La Guerite? Since the “beach” version at St. Jean seems to be so successful (whereas La Guerite next to the Wall House Museum seems to be open only one night/week).
I’m actually pretty surprised, however, that Shellona appears to be headed for re-branding. Though I haven’t been there in two or three years (high prices, tipping pressure, items “accidentally“ added to checks, arrogant servers, etc.), it nonetheless has seemed to continue to attract a profligate segment of island visitors.
Aaah-ha! Valerie . . . I think you’ve found the answer to this mystery!
Barriere Loulou
The Lucien Barrière Group announces that it has taken a majority stake in Loulou Group. This merger is the result of a meeting between two French family stories driven by the creation of memorable places and the art of hospitality.
www.groupebarriere.com
It’s an interesting development to me because I was peripherally connected to the transaction in which Groupe Barrière acquired a long term lease on the former Carl Gustaf Hotel . . . at which time GB also acquired the former (a) Route des Boucaniers (present location of La Petite Plage) & (b) Dõ Brazil (now Shellona). The original plan was that the former was intended to be Carl Gustaf’s “City Club,” with the newly constituted Shellona as its “Beach Club.” Carl Gustaf guests were to be afforded special privileges in the Clubs.
From reading about “Loulou” in its other locations, it sounds like the St. Barths venue will be an uptick from Shellona in stylish sophistication & culinary dining.
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
What is and is there a relationship to Petite Plage?
Groupe Barrière used to — & still does, I believe — control the locations of Petite Plage & Shellona. By ”control,” I mean that GB either owns or has long term leases on them (most likely, leases).
So 2 summers ago in St-Tropez, we had reserved 3 beach clubs in Ramatuelle: Club 55, Byblos (from our hotel), and Loulou. Unfortunately, we got rained out of Loulou, so I can not comment on it. However, it seems as though all beach clubs in St-Tropez are getting painted with the same brush and it is totally unfair, as Club 55 and Byblos are NOTHING like the beach clubs that have been stereotyped and imported to SBH. Club 55 was super charming, no loud music, only a wonderful singer on a stage while you dined-apparently well known in France-and the food was delicious and made fresh in the kitchen that you walk past. The host was charming as well. Byblos was not loud, and I don't even remember if there was music and we had a lovely (sedate?) lunch. I think some of the beach clubs have a bad rep, like Nikki in St-Tropez and maybe a few others but whatever these commercial groups are importing to SBH are pretty much SBH's doing, as far as I can tell. The clubs I went to in St-Tropez had seated diners, nobody dancing around on any tables, and not wasting their time as they were enjoying a lovely lunch. So perhaps this is an SBH problem. At La Petite Plage restaurant in St-Tropez, it was the same: very fun dining, excellent dinner, no dancing, singing, etc. Just my observations but if I were going to a beach club, I'd go to St-Tropez for a nice day out. I can't comment on anything but Nikki in SBH, as I don't see a need at this point to do any beach clubs in SBH where we have some of the best beaches in the world, and I always have fun and good food at Nikki in SBH on Sundays, so no complaints from me.
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
Was curious as the Petite Plage's are owned by the Groupe Annie Famose
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
We were there last September (and a May a couple of years earlier). Totally agree with Club 55. Spent the whole day and loved the vibe. Very low-key. Never ate at Petite Plage, but walked by it numerous times and it seemed like a normal restuarant.
You are correct! Here are some of the Annie Famose group restaurants in St-Tropez and are among my very favorites! I had dinner at L'Opéra (super fun), La Petite Plage, Le Girelier (my favorite..went twice), Noto (not great), all on the waterfront in St-Tropez. I do not know who owns Shellona at this time. If SBH were lucky, they would bring Le Girelier over!
- Hospitality: Operates iconic establishments in Saint-Tropez, Megève, Courchevel, Avoriaz, Biarritz, St. Barth, and Switzerland (Crans-Montana, Gstaad).
- Notable Locations: Includes La Petite Plage, L’Opéra, Le Girelier, Le Quai, Noto, and Les Palmiers in Saint-Tropez.
Amery
SBH Insider
My understanding is that Toiny BC was in part fashioned after/inspired by Club 55.
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
Loved Le Girelier! Did lunch both visits. Really nice prix fixe menu and great people (and yacht) watching. Our daughter and friends had dinner at L'Opéra last summer and enjoyed it. Didn't sound like our cup of tea though.
PeterLynn
Senior Insider
I can see that. As I understand, Club 55 started out as a pop-up to feed the cast (incl Brigitte Bardot) and crew of "Et Dieu...Crea la Femme [1955]" during the filming of the beach scenes, thus the "55".
