Inaugurated in the 1900s, this prestigious refuge was restored just ten years ago by decorator Sybille de Margerie, who gave it a new lease of life. Without ever betraying the Belle Époque spirit of this exceptional address.
Aristocrats from all over Europe swore by it... Set opposite Mont Blanc, for decades this palace was THE must-see refuge in Chamonix. 120 years and one restoration later, the Hôtel Mont-Blanc (a member of the H8 Collection) is more than ever in the big league, competing effortlessly with the new generation of 5-star hotels with their often standardized luxury that are flourishing in the chicest resorts. This longevity is due first and foremost to its geography - breathtakingly beautiful views of snow-covered forests, the Aiguille du Midi and the towering silhouette of Mont Blanc. It also owes a great deal to its restoration, carried out in 2013 by decorator Sybille de Margerie, who has rejuvenated and metamorphosed the premises without erasing anything of the past .
Black-and-white checkerboard floors, stuccowork and moldings, a staircase flanked by a spectacular wrought-iron banister now stand side by side with beautiful contemporary lighting, sofas and coffee tables with pure lines, in the lobby or the grand salon warmed by its historic white marble fireplace. This fluidity between history and modernity is reflected in the 23 rooms and 18 suites (including a spectacular penthouse) with generous surface areas, decorated with timeless Alpine charm - soft colors, noble materials and large black-and-white mountain photographs, enhanced by the best in high-tech. And always the same 180° panoramic view of the high peaks .
Fancy a massage after skiing?
This modernity is tempered by the Matafan, the restaurant room designed as a chic cocoon where Sybille de Margerie has mixed traditional mountain codes - wooden logs and a large fireplace - with a modern touch. logs and a large fireplace - with garnet-red velvet armchairs and black-and-red hanging lights that give the whole a beautiful energy. It's the ideal place to savour the market cuisine of chef Mickey Bourdillat, who jumps between France and Italy to magnify dishes and exceptional products, such as gnocchi from the Dolomites, potimarrons in giant ravioli or (sublime) cheeses from the Vallorcine farm.
This natural fusion with the local heritage also governed the design of the spa, where regional woods mingle with the golden mosaics adorning the hammam.hammam, sauna and Clarins-branded treatment rooms (with a special mention for the "Haute Montagne, spécial ski" massage, ideal after a day on the slopes). And the best is yet to come with the discovery of the large outdoor swimming pool, heated to 29°C all winter long, offering guests the rare experience of a swimming session.guests the rare experience of swimming at dusk, facing the mountains covered in immaculate snow that sparkles under the stars. It's a wonderful sight that adds to the charm of a place that combines refinement, a sense of service and a warm welcome... All at a very reasonable price, considering the excellence of the services on offer .
Three questions for Hervé Hochet, hotel manager
The hotel has long been a Chamonix institution. What kind of clientele did it cater for? What is the situation today?
Hervé Hochet: Our first customers were the English, who came in the summer. It wasn't until 1924, when the first Winter Olympics were held, that the resort became known for its skiing. And the popularity has never waned! Today, we welcome Americans, English, Scandinavians, Brazilians and, of course, the French! Every language is spoken in the salon, and our guests love this cosmopolitan spirit. Nationalities united around the same passion for the mountains. Our hotel is also the traditional meeting place for the resort's guides and instructors, making it a real meeting place.
A place where people can meet and share a common passion . ..
H.H.Absolutely! Our guests share the same desire. To discover or rediscover Chamonix, which remains THE absolute reference point for mountains and mountaineering, with the highest peak in the Alps. And our hotel offers them a unique privilege - a view of Mont Blanc that feels like you're touching it! The resort has a distinctive architecture, with a mix of Belle Époque style and large wooden Savoyard chalets. It also evokes the spirit of the great ascents and the heroism of the guides. The hotel is a piece of this history, but it hasn't allowed itself to be trapped in the past. It's a living, contemporary place; a place where you feel good. That's why our guests are loyal, some of them for several generations. They used to come here with their parents or grandparents, now they come back with their children .
Ten years after the restoration of Sibylle de Margerie, what are your plans for thefuture?
H.H.We work hard to personalize our services: preparing our customers' stay, advising them on the best type of skiing, booking guides. This made-to-measure service is our way of thinking about hospitality, that of a family home where we know our guests, their habits and their desires. Some have become friends!
Long weekends, first rays of sunshine... What if it was the right time to escape Paris? Here are ten hotels less than two hours from the capital, for a breath of fresh air without having to go far.
Did you know that the Ritz Paris is featured in over a hundred literary works? Discover all the secrets of this Parisian hotel
Every month, Gault & Millau immerses you in the story of a great Parisian palace. In March, immerse yourself in the story of one of Paris's most luxurious hotels: the Ritz Paris.
Some love it, others shun it (the famous intermittent fasting!) and, for most, it's made up of habits that are hard to break. For many guests, this first meal of the day is the last moment of their stay with a chef. Providing room and board implies that chefs take an interest in it, even if it's often a headache and a real logistical challenge. Meet 3 hotel chefs who go to great lengths to make sure you wake up feeling refreshed.
Maison Heler, Philippe Starck's signature hotel opens in Metz
With its house perched on a building, Maison Heler is unlike any other hotel. Conceived as an "inhabitable, surrealist and literary work of art", this new address intrigues as much as it fascinates. Located in the Architecture district, just a stone's throw from the Centre Pompidou, it is part of the development of the area supported by Hilton. A story of its own, born of a tale imagined by Philippe Starck.
A hotel between heaven and earth
The 9-storey Maison Heler is topped by a house inspired by 19th-century Lorraine architecture. From the 2nd to the 8th floor, the hotel offers 104 sleek rooms and suites. With concrete walls and pink marble, the décor is modern, elegant and poetic. The 9th floor boasts five private lounges, ideal for business events or relaxation, with a breathtaking view of the city.
Two restaurants, two atmospheres
On the first floor, Rose's cuisine takes the form of a romantic brasserie. Open all day, it offers warm, simple cuisine: weekly and seasonal menus, healthy, comforting dishes, and Rose's specialty: the tart of the day. Rose's Bar extends the experience, in a relaxed atmosphere, with cocktails featuring local and floral flavors.
upstairs, La Maison de Manfred has a more subdued feel, with wood and leather furnishings, warm colors, a family dining room and panoramic views over Metz. Artist Ara Starck designed 19 stained-glass windows, including a monumental one, projecting cathedral-like light across the room. French contemporary cuisine is served à la carte or on a five-course menu. The more intimate Bar de Manfred offers a selection of original cocktails, including the M+R - a combination of truffle-infused cognac and cherry - as well as a wide choice of wines.
A world of its own
Maison Heler was inspired by the novel La Vie minutieuse de Manfred Heler , a novel imagined by, to accompany the architectural project. It follows the character of Manfred Heler, an orphan living alone in the family home, who occupies his time by dreaming up all sorts of inventions to escape boredom. One day, the earth begins to shake and his house rises above the city.
The hotel immerses visitors in this poetic universe. Surreal objects, nods to imaginary inventions and unusual details punctuate the spaces between dream and everyday life. An address that offers much more than a simple stay: an immersion in a story of its own.
Price: From 170 euros
Where? 31 Rue Jacques Chirac, 57000 Metz
