Winter is approaching, and with it the winter sports season. From Courchevel to Megève, via Alpe d’Huez and La Rosière, these top-of-the-range hotels offer an experience as refined as it is authentic for a holiday or weekend in the mountains.
I.L.Y Hotels La Rosière, Montvalezan
With a thick blanket of snow on its roof when the winter season is in full swing, the first ‘Ily’ hotel – for I Love You! – is located in the heart of the Alps in the charming ski resort of La Rosière. An ideal base for a weekend in the mountains, this 4-star hotel (worth 5!) sits right next to the gigantic Mont Blanc. From the outside, it looks like a modern wooden chalet. Inside, the boutique-style decor is warm, contemporary and elegant, with discreet references to the surrounding peaks. The 69 rooms and suites are decorated in shades of orange, punctuated by touches of green and designer furniture.
The Bonami restaurant, with its local, gourmet cuisine, has two interconnecting rooms: one with a cosy, zen feel and the other more festive. The terrace is the perfect place to enjoy the Alpine sunsets, with a cocktail in your right hand and a skewer of marshmallows in your left, to be grilled over the braziers. Après-ski can also be enjoyed in the ‘St B.’ bar, with its stone counter. I.L.Y Hotels La Rosière boasts a 420m2 wood and glass spa, with sauna, hammam, 16-metre swimming pool and 3 whirlpool baths, one of which is outdoor. All with views over the valley and the mountain pastures. A ski shop is also available. In summer, you’ll also find the hotel open for a great family holiday in the mountains!
Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa, Alpe d’Huez
Nestling at an altitude of 1860 metres, this five-star hotel at the foot of the slopes and the resort is a must in Alpe d’Huez. With views over the Oisans massif, this typical mountain complex offers 77 rooms, 18 suites, a loft, two mini lofts and two 250 m2 chalets for a totally independent stay. Friendly and charming, the residence is the height of luxury, embellished by the snowflakes.
From the communal areas to the accommodation, the decor is impeccable, with quality wood, fur cushions and soft armchairs. A number of restaurants have been integrated: the alpine La Ferme d’Hubert, the bistronomic L’Espérance, and Les Mas’Hauts with its little chalets on the terrace. And while a gym, games room, terrace with swimming pool and ski shop are all on offer, the top-of-the-range hotel is also renowned for its Alpinotherapy® spa concept. Treatments with plants and minerals, cryotherapy, a sensory pool… All the benefits of the mountains are concentrated in these rituals. Let yourself be carried away by these wellness getaways that combine perfectly with the effort of winter sports.
Hôtel Voulez-vous, Tignes
Just a stone’s throw from Italy, Tignes offers a hotel that stands out for its modern architecture and graphic white facades. The 69 bright, classic rooms at the Voulez-Vous have lake or mountain views.
In keeping with its concept, the Il Savoia restaurant showcases Franco-Italian flavours. The pizzas are made to order and will comfort you after a day on the slopes. The Icebreaker bar has a festive, musical feel. Its menu ranges from house cocktails to excellent Savoie wines. Last but not least, the 600 m2 spa is the perfect place to relax after a few swims and rejuvenating treatments. Like many hotels, the Voulez-vous has a ski shop to help you organise your ski hire.
Le Coucou, Méribel
This is a winter sports icon. Le Coucou is located at an altitude of 1500m in the prestigious resort of Méribel. A five-star hotel, Le Coucou boasts an elegant, contemporary decor that makes you feel right at home. There are 55 rooms, including 39 suites, as well as two self-contained chalets. The hotel is renowned for its wide range of restaurants, from Italian to Savoyard to beefbar. Its ultra-comfortable terrace is a sight to behold.
Its spa is a destination in its own right. Spanning 450 m2, the wellness area features a sublime indoor pool that extends outside to a pool nestled in the snow. Behind the arches that structure the pool, you’ll find relaxing beds bathed in the white light of the mountains. Jacuzzis, treatment rooms, saunas and steam rooms complete this luxury spa, all set in a colourful and particularly successful decor designed by Pierre Yovanovitch.
Les Airelles, Courchevel
It’s hard to select the finest hotels for a weekend in the mountains without mentioning Courchevel. Nestling in the three valleys, Les Airelles Courchevel is a unique place. This sumptuous palace resembles a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian castle, with its snow-capped towers and hand-painted façade. The refinement continues in the five-star hotel. There are 48 rooms, including 15 suites, a 500 m2 flat and four chalets. Mountain charm at its best. Traditional wood panelling mingles with paintings and stained glass windows. The typical Alpine décor is enhanced by chic, princely furnishings. The keys invite you to travel back in time. Particularly when you walk out onto the balcony in the early hours of the morning, when nature awakens after a good night’s sleep.
There are several restaurants here: La Table des Airelles, Palladio, Le Coin Savoyard, the Chalet de Pierres and the culinary areas on the slopes. Not to mention the bar and smoking room. A luxury spa was also needed to complete the hotel experience. Under an incredible wooden ceiling and surrounded by columns, the immense pool evokes total plenitude. The space also includes invigorating waterfalls, a snow grotto and sensory showers. It’s a journey from the cold of winter to the warmth of summer, in an intimate and soothing setting. Throughout the day, Les Airelles offers a variety of experiences, including a winter camp for children, horse-drawn carriage rides and dog-sleigh rides.
Read also: The most beautiful hotel swimming pools in Paris and elsewhere
Featured photo: © I.L.Y Hotels La Rosière, Montvalezan
