With direct access to the slopes, these five Courchevel hotels stand proudly among the mountains, blending seamlessly into this white paradise. Fine cuisine and local flavours, wellness cocoons, authentic rooms… Everything has been designed to immerse travellers in the luxurious charm of the Alps.
Les Airelles Courchevel
A snow palace. That’s how you could describe this Courchevel hotel. Located in the Three Valleys, Les Airelles Courchevel is a far cry from the traditional rustic establishments of ski resorts. This nineteenth-century Austro-Hungarian château manages to convey the charm of the mountains, while at the same time boasting a look worthy of the most beautiful fairytales, with its wood panelling, paintings, stained glass windows and modern furniture. Food lovers will be delighted to learn that the five-star hotel is currently hosting La Grande Table Marocaine du Royal Mansour. It’s the perfect way to travel to the heart of this magnificent Maghreb country, surrounded by the snowflakes of the Alps. The other restaurants, featuring Italian and cheese flavours, include La Table des Airelles, Palladio, Le Coin Savoyard and the Chalet de Pierres, as well as culinary areas on the slopes. There are 48 rooms, including 15 suites and a sublime 500m2 flat. Four chalets are also available for larger groups or visitors wanting complete privacy. After dropping off your equipment in the ski room, taking a ride in the horse-drawn carriage and watching a good film in the cinema, head for the Airelles par La Mer spa. Beneath a ceiling of rough-hewn wood, the swimming pool offers a bubble of calm, as do the snow grotto, waterfalls and sensory showers. This journey between hot and cold is as comforting as it is invigorating.
Le Cheval Blanc Courchevel
With its Palace label, the Cheval Blanc Courchevel boasts a major asset: the resort’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. Called Le 1947, this sophisticated restaurant designed by Yannick Alléno is surrounded by snow and forest. A true immersion in the mountains. Not to mention the Grill Alpin, La Terrasse de Cheval Blanc, where you can soak up the sunshine, and La Yourte Fumoir, the culinary delights of this yellow-fronted luxury hotel. The 36 rooms and suites have left behind the busy, rustic decor of the Alps for more classic, modern designs with a splash of colour. The elegance of the Guerlain spa, with its outdoor whirlpool, bania (Russian bath) for those who like it cold, and ice fountain, is also impressive. A special highlight is the majestic swimming pool, which faces a mirror. Le Cheval Blanc also offers a host of activities for all the family, including a playful tasting of roasted marshmallows in the shelter of an igloo, paragliding, a dinner in a groomer or a hot-air balloon ride.
Barrière des Neiges
In the heart of Courchevel 1850, the Hôtel Barrière des Neiges has quickly established a solid reputation in the Three Valleys. Opened in 2016, the establishment was awarded the Palace distinction just three years later. The warmth and calm of the mountains are omnipresent in the 42 rooms and suites, decorated with beautiful wood panelling, soft sofas, silky fabrics and thick, comfortable carpets. The 5-star Courchevel hotel has dedicated 1000m2 to well-being, with all the facilities you’d expect after a day on the slopes, accessible from the ski room. A 20-metre swimming pool, hammam, sauna, cold bath, open-air jacuzzi… The temple of relaxation in the heart of the mountains. After a dog-sleigh ride, a snowmobile ride or a snowshoe outing, treat yourself to a moment of beauty in the Balmain hairdressing salon, while the kids play in the Kid’s Club. For culinary delights, head for Loulou, where you’ll find Italian mountain cuisine, and La Table Savoyarde, where you’ll find local produce. All in an authentic and friendly Alpine setting.
L’Annapurn
Let’s head for the Annapurna, Courchevel’s highest hotel. Its name evokes a Himalayan peak climbed by mountaineers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, friends of the founding Pinturault family. The 67 rooms and suites face the mountains. Here, the decor is refined, combining the soft lines of the furniture with light wood. Thanks to its location, the accommodation is bathed in light. The setting features three restaurants: the Michelin-starred L’Alpage with its refined French and local cuisine, the traditional French Rendez-vous and La Fèrma, a restaurant serving Savoyard specialities and cheeses. The spa, run by Codage, features a 15-metre swimming pool separated from the mountain by large picture windows. There is also an outdoor pool, a jacuzzi, a panoramic sauna and two hammams with blue mosaics. All in all, it’s the perfect setting for a romantic weekend, so make sure you plan ahead.
K2 Palace
At an altitude of 1850m, the K2 Palace offers 26 rooms, 3 suites, six chalet suites and 4 chalets overlooking the surrounding mountains, valley or forest. Their design is reminiscent of the Himalayas, a key element of the Courchevel hotel concept. The omnipresent wood panelling blends with bronze tones, top-of-the-range fabrics and natural materials. Then there’s the Goji Spa, a haven of peace that opens onto a white paradise. A huge swimming pool, soothing steam, waterfalls, sauna, hammam, hot and cold baths and an outdoor hot tub provide all the pleasures of relaxation. K2 Palace is also renowned for its gastronomic offerings, including the excellent Sarkara, which has been awarded two Michelin stars. L’Altiplano is not to be outdone in terms of flavours, featuring Peruvian cuisine, as is the Bottleneck with its grilled dishes and cheese fondues.
Le Mélézin Aman
The Mélézin Aman, owned by a legendary group in the world of luxury hotels, was built in the spirit of French Savoyard châteaux, with direct access to the Bellecôte slopes. Charismatic and refined, the luxury hotel and spa boasts 28 rooms, including suites, all with balconies and separate lounges. Of particular interest are the hot tubs on the terraces of some of the keys, for the pleasure of admiring nature in a hot bath. The Nama restaurant celebrates Japanese cuisine, with sashimi, ramen, Wagyu beef and Otoro tuna. Lovers of sake and Japanese whisky can meet in the cosy bar. In keeping with Aman’s philosophy, two entire floors are dedicated to well-being.
Not far from the…
Just a stone’s throw away in the Trois Vallées ski area, two hotels caught our eye in particular. Typical of its mountain architecture, Le Coucou de Méribel offers 55 rooms and suites as well as two large chalets. It’s not just for its multi-faceted restaurant offering, which includes the Beefbar, Biancaneve and Fumoir, but also for its incredible Tata Harper spa, housed in a modern, graphic space.
L’Altapura is the place to be when in Val Thorens. Modern, trendy, hip… its carefully thought-out design is more than inspiring, with a lobby and bar where you could stay for hours. For the winter season, the hotel is unveiling a tempting new feature: the Altayaki restaurant, which brings together Asia and Europe. The Italian Casa Alta and La Laiterie, for lovers of fondues and raclettes, are sure to take you on a journey. And if it’s hard to get out of one of the 88 rooms in the jewel box, a trip to the spa by Codage will not be missed. 1,000m2 dedicated to Nordic relaxation with, as the icing on the cake, a visit to an igloo to complete this journey combining dry and wet heat.
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Featured photo: © Les Airelles Courchevel
