Travel & Leisure


Hotels in the snow: Seven destinations to change scenery!

Luxe-Magazine, like all of you, is longing for the winter sports resorts, hotels and restaurants to open quickly. Soon we will finally be able to regain altitude, breathe the fresh air and reconnect with nature. It’s hard to imagine a warmer atmosphere than that of a hotel or chalet in the snowy mountains. We’ve put together a small selection of cozy places for couples or families to already anticipate the day we’re all waiting for.

Le Coucou in Méribel: A luxurious nest to curl up with the family

Le Coucou à Méribel

The latest addition to the Méribel resort, perched on the heights of the Belvédère, the Coucou dominates the entire valley offering breathtaking panoramic views. Architect Pierre Yovanovitch designed it as a real family home, chic and relaxed: a 10-storey chalet with 55 keys including several adjoining suites and two private chalets connected to the hotel.

Le Coucou à Méribel

New this season: the Beefbar with an authentic menu featuring local culinary delights and the Biancaneve has had an Italian makeover. The Smoking Room and the Bar are ready to lighten up the evenings, or stop for a relaxing day at the Tata Harper Spa with two fantastic swimming pools. The Skiroom-Boutique Lounge offers a direct departure on the slopes and the two Kid's Clubs run by Petit VIP offer fun and educational activities in a poetic space as well as menus adapted to all ages and all tastes. And of course, the cuckoo is the star of this hotel, with an incredible collection of vintage cuckoos.

La Sivolière in Courchevel: A soft and confidential cocoon hidden between the pine trees

La Sivolière

Once initiated, La Sivolière makes you come back every year! What a joy to be welcomed by Florence Carcassone, at home, in her Savoyard chalet, refined and so warm, all in wood and stones. 23 rooms, 11 suites and two private appartments, decorated by the talented British interior designer Sara Copeland. On the culinary side this winter, Nicolas Vambre, a native of the country, is the chef of the famous restaurant “Le 1850”. And every Sunday night, a big premiere, Florence will receive guests “at her table”, with sharing dishes, good-natured and enhancing the simplest recipes: roast potatoes, roast beef …

La Sivolière

On the spa side, Odacité, a 100% natural brand with extremely concentrated active ingredients created by Valérie Grandury, offers a whole new treatment menu, with free skin diagnosis and tailor-made beauty protocols, the Temple of beauty evening facial treatment … a must! Being welcomed for more than 10 years by the same team is the family touch offered by La Sivolière, truly knowing their guests, their tastes and habits … another approach to luxury.

Le M de Mégève: Incomparable chalet in the heart of the resort

l'Hôtel 5 étoiles Le M de Megève

Member of the very closed circle of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this 5-star hotel with 42 rooms – including 20 suites – combines Savoyard tradition and contemporary style, while being perfectly located, 100 meters from the ski lifts. This year, the hotel welcomes a brand-new Spa; the Spa by Clarins, offering tailor-made and targeted treatments for ultimate relaxation of body and mind (such as the High Mountain Treatment or the Balance Massage with essential oils).

l'Hôtel 5 étoiles Le M de Megève


Beauty is also linked to what we find on our plate, Doctor Olivier Courtin-Clarins and Edouard Loubet, two-star chef signing off the M de Mégève menu, have joined forces to create the first gastronomic well-being menu, composed of 5 services for every season. Another experience not to miss: compose your own fondue according to your wishes advised by the expert cheese maker, Thomas Lecomte at the Grands Crus de Fondues, the must-see fondue temple in this mythical village.

L’Auberge du Bois Prin in Chamonix: New adventure for this legendary address

L’Auberge du Bois Prin

After the Flocons de Sel in Mégève, Kristine and Emmanuel Renaut are now the new owners of a second magical place, the Auberge du Bois Prin, built in 1976 by Dennis Carrier. And they are determined to offer their guest’s a unique stay! Kristine, in collaboration with Maison Arpin, has renovated the ten rooms of this beautiful traditional 5-star chalet.

L’Auberge du Bois Prin

Each one is different with a more contemporary universe, interplay of materials, green and gray tones, offering a private garden or balcony to contemplate the roof of Europe. And since we do not change a winning team, the brigade of the three-star Chef Emmanuel Renaut (Flocons de Sel) offers a tasty seasonal cuisine, terroir dishes, topped off with a superb cheese plateau from the Savoy region. A wellness area with sauna and outdoor hot tub will soon open its doors to complete the experience.

Les Flocons de Sel in Mégève: Culinary Highlight

Le Flocons de Sel à Megève

Designed as a family chalet, where Kristina and Emmanuel Renaut have imagined large spaces with natural panoramas, the five-star hotel symbolizes the art of living in the mountains with its typical architecture, its brocante decoration and rooms, suites and private mazots with a cozy atmosphere and a warm loft style. This winter, the Spa is offering new treatment protocols based on local plants by Dott. Nicolas Farmacista, specialist in natural cosmetology. At the restaurant the culinary experience reaches its peak at the gourmet table of three-star Chef Emmanuel Renaut.

Le Flocons de Sel à Megève

Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Grand Chef “Relais & Châteaux” and member of the “Grandes Tables du Monde”. What a joy to taste the mountainous flavors through his renown dishes: pike biscuit with grilled straw onion juice, parsnip, beetroot and gardener’s consommé with horseradish and old Beaufort cheese … and new creations: Thorny Cardoon from Plainpalais like a risotto with white Alba truffle or smoked yellow chicken, Paris mushrooms from La Motte Servolex in coffee. A pure delight for the taste buds.

Les Barmes de l'Ours in Val d'Isère: An authentic refined atmosphere

Barmes de L’Ours Hôtel & Spa

At the foot of the legendary Bellevarde Olympic track, barely past the hotel door, the crackling fire in the fireplace invites you on a journey out of time. Each detail wins you over with its elegance and discretion. Choose your ambiance among the 76 cocoons spread over 4 floors - Scandinavian, Lodge of the Americas, Alpine chalet or contemporary loft. Continue on to the Michelin-starred restaurant La Table de l'Ours, which has just been renovated under the guidance of maestro Christophe Mattis, cabinetmaker from Val. Shades of natural colors, ubiquitous wood and mirrors, a perfect harmony with the identity of Chef Antoine Gras and his exquisite regional cuisine.

Barmes de L’Ours Hôtel & Spa

Not to forget the two other restaurants: La Rôtisserie, with its spit-roasted meats and the Savoyard Corner to feast on a raclette, fondue or other specialty. Sports enthusiasts and epicureans will appreciate the many services, the swimming pool, the 1,000 m2 spa to reenergize body and mind, the privacy of the Sofa Bar, the bowling alley as well as the games area, for the youngest.

La Bouitte in Saint-Martin de Belleville: The soul of Alpine Savoy

Hôtel-Spa La Bouitte

In an idyllic setting, this 5-star Maison with the Relais & Châteaux label and 3 Michelin stars, has offered since 1976 the best access to a sublimated mountain. René and Maxime Meilleur, father and son, with their own hands, created this unique chalet, where the lounges and bedrooms (15 including 7 Suites), with female names, are delicious cocoons carved out in wood. Ideally located in the heart of the Three Valleys, this is the ideal area for a pedestrian odyssey through the sumptuous landscapes that unfold over the Vanoise, Mont Blanc and the Ecrins. Their mountain bistro, "Simple & Meilleur", opened in 2018 and has just been awarded the Bib Gourmand in the 2020 Michelin Guide, with a menu featuring the best traditional Savoy products and their wine evenings feature several exceptional wine producers.

Hôtel-Spa La Bouitte

Finally, to disconnect, the Béla Yva Spa, offers a complete aquatic area for the whole family, and a unique treatment menu with their own "Meilleur Nature" brand of home cosmetics, using only local products. This year, La Bouitte won the prestigious Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, a well-deserved recognition!
Décembre 2020
By Marjolaine LOVES
The teams from all the hotels will welcome you in accordance with the health and safety standards recommended by the government in order to better protect you.

www.boisprin.com/fr
www.la-bouitte.com/fr
https://www.relaischateaux.com/fr/france/la-bouitte-savoie
www.lecoucoumeribel.com
www.floconsdesel.com
www.hotellesbarmes.com
www.hotel-la-sivoliere.com
www.mdemegeve.com