Top 5 hotels to sleep atop a mountain
Perched at an altitude of almost 2,000m, away from the ski resorts, these five refuges offer the guarantee of the best snow, but above all a unique immersion in the heart of nature, conducive to the gentlest of disorientations....
Absolute silence, broken only by the chirping of chickadees, an immense blanket of snow with only the footprints of hares, voles or deer, and, of course, the immense panorama of snow-covered peaks and forests.This Eden is the promise of these five hotels perched high in the French mountains, from Val Thorens to Les Menuires and Alpes d'Huez. Book as soon as possible. ..
Altapura Hotel
This is one of the star addresses in Val Thorens, Europe's highest and most prestigious resort. A palace of glass and steel, set at an altitude of 2,300 m opposite the cime Caron (the summit of Val Thorens), it shakes up the prevailing conformism by blending the comfort of a high-tech palace with the aesthetics of the 1930s. The 88 rooms and suites are decorated with functional, designer blond-wood furniture, tweed fabrics and huge picture windows. Special mention must also go to the Scandinavian forest-style spa, with its indoor and outdoor pools where you can swim facing the mountains, before taking a dip in the ice fountain.
- Double room from 359 euros, breakfast included
- Rue du Bouchet 73440 Val Thorens. Tel: 04 80 36 80 36
- Further information on Hôtel Altapura
Le Refuge de Solaise
Perched at the top of the resort's slopes at an altitude of 2551 m, this hotel is the perfect invitation to recharge your batteries, far from the crowds, in the heart of a luminous, secret mountain. Accessible only by gondola, this nugget features 16 paneled rooms decorated with mountain-style check fabrics, a cozy dormitory for a stay with friends, and 4 private apartments for families. There's also an Exertier spa, a wellness area, a children's playroom and two restaurants, including the Gigi, led by the Paris Society group, with a sumptuous view over the valley. It's a place with a unique atmosphere at dusk, when the ballet of chairlifts comes to an end and you find yourself alone in this landscape of snow and ice, gazing up at the starry sky.
- Double room from 770 euros, breakfast included.
- Sommet de Solaise 73150 Val d'Isère. Tel: 04 58 83 00 90.
- Further information on Le Refuge de Solaise
Chalet Hôtel Kaya
Situated at the summit of Les Menuires at an altitude of 2000m, this imposing wooden chalet offers guests an exceptional view and, above all, the rare feeling of being alone in the world. The hotel boasts 50 rooms (including 40 suites), true modern cocoons with their Andean-inspired combinations of wood, wool and leather. The hotel also offers guests the charm of its Refuge lounge, where they can enjoy a drink in front of the fireplace, the delights of the Cinq Mondes spa and, for children, a kids' camp with plenty of activities, including a pyjama party! Restaurants include Kairn, with its light bistro fare, Cheese & the Forest, with its cheese cellar, and a food truck, ideal for a snack.
- Double room from 210 euros, breakfast included.
- Village de Reberty 73440 Les Belleville. Tel: 04 79 41 42 00
- Further information on Chalet Hôtel Kaya
Hôtel Au Chamois d' Or
Eschewing the often aseptic luxury of 5-star hotels, this handsome chalet, set at an altitude of 1860m facing the slopes, is first and foremost a family home - a philosophy that no doubt owes much to its recent history. Thibaut Lassarat and his brother Didier used to spend their childhood winter vacations at Le Chamois d'Or, before learning in 2007 that it was up for sale. They embarked on the adventure, with success, as the hotel was soon awarded a fifth star. Following a remarkable restoration, the hotel now offers 42 rooms and 5 suites in delicate woodwork and soft colors, with the lofty silhouette of the snow-capped mountains on the horizon. The Pic Blanc slopes are directly accessible from the hotel, and you can explore the vast ski area before enjoying the delights of the Nuxe spa with its hammam, sauna and beautiful swimming pool. An ideal break before returning to the Chamois d'Or gourmet restaurant.. .
- Double room from 196 euros, breakfast included.
- Rond-Point des Pistes 38750 Alpe d' Huez
- More information on Hôtel Au Chamois d'Or
Hôtel Alta Peyra
Conceived as a hamlet divided into 5 buildings linked by internal walkways, this handsome hotel takes all the codes of traditional architecture, inspired by the famous fustes (houses made of stacked logs). Warm and cosy, it houses some sixty rooms and suites that combine local materials (larch trunks from the Hautes-Alpes, 17th-century cupboard doors, rocks found in the river), streamlined furnishings and designer lighting. The 3 restaurants offer chic gastronomy, Provencal bistronomy and snacking for a quick lunch on the terrace. The spa offers a comprehensive range of treatments and state-of-the-art facilities: balneotherapy, outdoor and indoor pools, sauna, hammam and gym. An ideal retreat after exploring the 30 slopes of the ski area or the delightful lanes of the village of Saint-Véran, perched at an altitude of 2042 m, one of the highest in Europe.
- Double room from 159 euros, breakfast included.
- Quartier La Ville, 05350 Saint Véran. Tel: 04 92 22 24 06
- Further information on Hôtel Alta Peyra
And also. .. Sleep in a refuge in Méribel
Opposite Méribel, accessible on snowshoes, off-piste or with the Pinzelec (the hotel's tracked vehicle - Les Airelles), La Traye is the first top-of-the-range refuge in the French Alps. Set in a small hamlet at an altitude of 1650m, it offers total immersion in nature. The various accommodations include 6 rooms and suites combining the warmth of wood and soft fabrics, a lounge area and terraces with 180° panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. Nestled in the Grand Refuge, the communal areas include a traditional restaurant, a large lounge warmed by a fireplace, a wellness area and even a cinema. It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries after a day on the slopes, or to take advantage of the activities organized from the refuge: snowshoeing, tobogganing, ski touring... It'salso worth noting that for several years now, the site has been committed to an eco-responsible approach, from water management to renewable materials.
- Double room from 529 euros, breakfast included.
- Chemin Sainte-Appolonnie 73550 Méribel les Allues. Tel: 04 58 24 04 04
- More information on Refuge de la Traye
These news might interest you
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.
Breakfast, chef!
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
Our partners
Food products, kitchen equipment, tableware, service solutions...
See the full list of partners who place their trust in Gault&Millau
All our partners
