Under its thick coat of white, the mountains are more beautiful, comforting and welcoming than ever. Here's a look at the hotels, private chalets and high-altitude restaurants that perpetuate the magic of winter in the Alps.
LES TOITS...
THE EXPERIMENTAL CHALET IN VAL D'ISÈRE
For its second mountain setting after Verbier in Switzerland, the Experimental Group chose to renovate a building made of lauze, concrete and wood in the center of Val d'Isère, at the foot of the slopes, commissioning Dorothée Meilichzon to stage it in 4-star format. Wooden logs, branches, plaster streaked like the snow on a slope at the end of the day... The interior designer let herself be guided by the rustic Savoie, the spirit of the forest, the culture of skiing to imagine the 113 rooms with views of the Vanoise massif, the two restaurants and the Experimental Cocktail Club, the sixth of its name, an exclusive concept of the group, here with a seventies look.
EXPERIMENTALCHALETVALDISERE.COM
THE MOLITOR IN MEGÈVE
A 330-square-meter chalet on 3 levels, with 5 bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, a fitness area, a sauna, a Nordic bath on the terrace, a
service worthy of a 5-star hotel... and a direct view of the village of Megève and its emblematic bell tower: this new nugget in the Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet collection ticks all the boxes of cool cocooning, to be enjoyed by up to 11 people. Of the traditional family chalet, the wooden façade and green shutters remain. The interiors feature a more contemporary score, notably in the vast living room with its warm tones and soft fabrics, Bubble armchair, green ceramic fireplace and frescoes by artist Franck Lebraly covering the walls and beams.
CHALETSDESFERMES.COM
THE EAGLETS IN CHAMONIX
An iconic four-star hotel at the entrance to the town, the former Refuge des Aiglons has just undergone a facelift under the direction of designer Saar Zafrir. This winter, it presents itself in its new guise, with softly-toned rooms offering direct views of Mont Blanc or Brévent, an Italian-influenced restaurant, cocktail bar and terrace. The hotel has forged partnerships with Skimium, whose boutique delivers the equipment needed for outdoor activities to your room, with Millet for appropriate technical clothing, Deep Nature for spa treatments and BAM Karaoke Box for the three private rooms that can be booked in the evening. Well done!
AIGLONS.COM
SWITZERLAND
GRACE LA MARGNA IN SAINT-MORITZ
English agency Divercity Architects and French interior designer Carole Topin have taken up the challenge of renovating St. Moritz's emblematic luxury hotel between lake and forest, inaugurated in 1906, from top to bottom, adding a touch of modernity without betraying its Art Nouveau DNA. They chose the finest materials (stone, marble, etc.), Pierre Frey carpets and Molteni&C furniture to refresh the 74 rooms and suites, cocktail bar and two dining rooms, including the Beefbar, of this new Small Luxury Hotels of The World.
GRACEHOTELS.COM
ITALY
COMO ALPINA DOLOMITES IN VAL GARDENA
In soft opening for a year, this COMO - the Singaporean group's only mountain resort - is 100% operational this winter. It has just put the finishing touches to its spa, where all holistic well-being protocols are based on the benefits of nature. The 22-metre indoor and outdoor pools offer exceptional panoramic views. A central element of architect Gerhard Tauber's design, a stunning circular vessel in quartzite, glass and chiselled wood, evokes the slopes and reliefs of the Dolomites, a UNESCO-listed site. A member of Leading Hotels of The World, this 60-key snow palace, mainly suites, also boasts three restaurants and a lounge designed by Paola Navone, perfect for watching the snow fall.
COMOHOTELS.COM
THE TABLES...
LOULOU IN COURCHEVEL
After Paris, Ramatuelle and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Loulou
lights up Courchevel with its cheerful conviviality. Located in the Barrière group's Les
Neiges palace, it welcomes fans of ultra-generous French-Italian
cuisine to its large, wood-panelled dining room
, decorated by interior designer Corinne Sachot, or to its
terrace overlooking the Bellecôte ski slope. Savoyard specialities are on the menu, but
also features a wood-fired barbecue and Loulou's famous signature dishes:
truffle pizza and pasta al pomodoro.
LOULOU-COURCHEVEL.COM
HIGH-DEFINITION CUISINE IN MEGÈVE
Marc Veyrat, the multi-starred chef in the black hat, is back in his native Haute-Savoie. Three times a week, all year round, he offers just 18 guests a unique, intimate and emotionally rich gastronomic experience. Every time he serves, he's there in person to regale with creations magnified by wild herbs, from lobster tartelette, meadowsweet meerschaum to pine cone, smoked for real. Possibility of staying in the lodge on site.
MARCVEYRAT.FR
