5 exceptional hotels for winter sports holidays

From Courchevel to Val d’Isère and Megève, these sumptuous five-star hotels have everything you need for an unforgettable winter holiday. From rooms with a chic mountain ambience to tasty food in the restaurants and spas with views over the mountains, here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of the hotel jewels to discover when the first snowflakes arrive.

 

The Grandes Rousses at Alpe d’Huez

 

You’ll have to climb to an altitude of 1860 metres to reach this jewel of a hotel in Alpe d’Huez, just east of Grenoble. This five-star hotel overlooking the Oisans massif has three terraces, including one with a heated swimming pool, ideal for soaking up the sun. In total, there are around a hundred accommodation units, including 18 suites and a loft, alongside a 250 square metre private chalet.

 

 

Les Grandes Rousses, with its distinctive design combining references to the mountains and refined elements, has several culinary areas: the bistronomic L’Esperance, La Ferme d’Hubert and Les Mas’hauts, with kitchens focusing more on Alpine dishes. There are also private bubbles on the terrace, so you can immerse yourself in the typical winter atmosphere for the duration of a meal.

 

 

And for a moment of absolute relaxation, the luxury hotel invites guests to its magnificent spa. Based on Alpinotherapy, this haven of peace features a range of body treatments, a grotto hammam, a sauna with mountain views and a bath bar, a concept that allows guests to choose a personalised bath.

 

Les Airelles in Courchevel

 

At the heart of the 3 Valleys lies one of Courchevel’s five luxury hotels. Les Airelles welcomes its guests in a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian castle facing the summit of the Saulire. Less than 50 rooms, including 15 suites and a flat, are available in the hotel, which also has four private chalets. There are six restaurants with Italian, Savoyard and French accents.

 

 

The spa boasts a sublime swimming pool, sensory showers and soothing waterfalls. An iconic address where wood panelling, stained-glass windows, touches of red and a few sophisticated pieces come together, all wrapped up in an exterior architecture that is instantly recognisable and atypical.

 

Four Seasons in Megève

 

On the edge of Mont d’Arbois, this prestigious hotel boasts an elegant, uncluttered and luxurious décor and magnificent mountain views. In addition to its fifty rooms, including 14 suites, the Four Seasons features the Michelin-starred restaurant La Dame de Pic – Le 1920, the Japanese restaurant Kaito, a wine cellar and a bar with terrace.

 

 

Its spa combines all-white furnishings with the light blue of its swimming pool and a host of rejuvenating facilities. For yoga enthusiasts, there is a geodesic dome not far from the estate, and a magnificent 18-hole golf course nestling in the mountains.

 

Le Coucou in Méribel

 

Just as emblematic as its predecessors, Le Coucou Méribel is the perfect symbol of mountain chic. Its 55 keys, including no fewer than 39 suites, and two independent chalets stand alongside three restaurants offering a wide range of flavours. The cheese dishes at Le Fumoir, the meat dishes at Le Beefbar and the Italian dishes at Le Biancaneve will satisfy every palate.

 

 

The spa features a swimming pool with a view of the snow, surrounded by arches with deckchairs for relaxing. The decor is modern and perfectly matches the mountain’s rich environment.

 

Les Barmes de l’Ours in Val d’Isère

 

Les Barmes de l’Ours offers an elegant winter sports holiday. This five-star hotel in Val d’Isère offers a range of accommodation ambiances, depending on the floor. The first floor has a Scandinavian feel, with light colours and wooden walls. On the second floor, the atmosphere is inspired by the lodges of North America, with velvet, fur, leather and dark wood. The third offers the traditional design of Savoyard mountain chalets. Finally, the fourth offers sophisticated, contemporary lofts.

 

 

These different worlds are reflected in the hotel’s culinary offering. The hotel nugget offers the Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant La Table de l’Ours, the bistronomic La Rôtisserie with its signature spit-roasted meats and local and winter specialities at Le Coin Savoyard.

 

 

A 1,000 square metre spa completes the hotel’s offer for a relaxing après-ski moment under the starry skies of its indoor pool. Finally, a bowling alley is also available at this Relais & Châteaux-rated establishment.

 

Read also > SKIWEAR: FIVE ULTRA-LUXURY COLLECTIONS TO HIT THE SLOPES THIS WINTER

Front page photo: ©Le Coucou Méribel