Best Luxury Hotels in Rhône-Alps

More Asian fortress than French ski lodge in its aesthetic, the architecture of this hotel stands out in Courchevel 1850. Perched on the Bellecôte piste, Aman Le Melezin offers ski-in/ski-out facilities. Once inside you’ll find that familiar Alpine vibe. There are 31 bedrooms and suites, some of which have balconies, private hot tubs and fireplaces. There’s much to keep you onsite apres-ski, with a cigar bar, fine Japanese dining (think sushi, sashimi and Wagyu beef) at Aman’s Nama restaurant and a two-storey spa with a columned indoor pool made from Capri stone.

Positioned a little away from the centre of the village, the hotel is now the only one in Megève with ski-in, ski-out access and the 55 bedroom Four Seasons property, provides a secluded base surrounded by nature. However, there’s plenty going on within the resort. A great choice for families, it has a programme of activities and a club room for younger kids, a Teen Zone furnished with games and a screening room, plus an in-house ski teacher. The brand new 3,864sq.ft Mont Blanc suite has three connected bedrooms and two smaller suites so is ideal for families.  Adults can enjoy wine tastings in the hotel’s 15,000 bottle-strong cellar, dinners at ‘’La Dame de Pic – Le 1920’ which will welcome Anne-Sophie Pic as she takes up her first winter residence this season and enjoy some down time in the tranquillity of the pure white spa.

The stunning Imperial Palace is ideally located in the heart of Annecy and offers guests from all over the world unbeatable views over lake Annecy. Set in a divine Edwardian building, the hotel can be found in the verdant Charles Bosson public park and is close to the idyllic Plage d’Annecy. There are 90 deluxe guestrooms and 14 spacious suites on offer at the hotel, each boasting stunning lake, mountain or park views. Multiple dining options include La Brasserie and Le Riva, overlooking Lake Annecy’s dazzling waters and guests can enjoy a cocktail and the lively atmosphere in Hip Bar. The hotel offers rejuvenating spa and wellness facilities at Cristal Spa including a range of treatments to help you unwind. The on-site Casino Imperial is equipped with traditional games and machines including roulette and table games. The hotel also makes for an exceptional wedding and events venue with the ability to accommodate up to 600 people.

Overlooking Lake Annecy, nestled in the verdant mountains, the Palace de Menthon offers unique and sophisticated 5-star accommodation in a scenic setting. This one-of-a-kind hotel boasts 66 well-appointed rooms and spacious suites as well as a private waterfront villa. There is an on-site restaurant serving gourmet cuisine in a stunning Art Deco style setting with panoramic lake views from the bay window. The restaurant offers an exceptional wine selection to enhance your luxurious experience while you can opt to reserve this location for an unforgettable private dining experience. There is a cocktail bar for guests to enjoy and the seasonal La Plage area for alfresco enjoyment. The relaxing spa and wellness facilities feature a Hammam, swimming pool and waterfront solarium while there is also a fitness centre. There is a host of sophisticated event spaces on offer to host any type of gathering, be it for a professional seminar or an extravagant wedding celebration.

This four-star hotel is across from Paul Mistral Park, in the Quartier Exposition-Bajatière, just a short stroll from the city centre. Single rooms through to king-sized suites are available to book, with soundproofing, minibars, room service on demand and balconies. Provided by Sofitel, the property accommodates 40 bedrooms, a hammam, an indoor pool, a sensory shower, a fitness suite and a guest lounge. Valet parking is provided, with complimentary seasonal shuttles to the main ski areas. Meals are served in Le Zebre, a quirky and contemporary drinking and dining venue with easy chairs and sofas — perfect for an evening’s reclining after a day’s Alpine activities.

The Black Bass Hotel is a magnificent 5-star escape by the shores of Lake Annecy. The hotel is in an ideal location for exploring the surrounding areas, taking in endless views of unspoiled scenery or simple escaping from day-to-day duties. There are 25 comfortable and contemporary rooms and suites on offer with expansive windows boasting spectacular lake and forest views. The Lake View Suites are complete with spacious terraces and panoramic vistas. There is an excellent on-site restaurant serving a delightful lunch and dinner and a bar which overlook the lake in all its glory. The hotel’s blissful spa and wellness facilities include an indoor swimming pool and a rejuvenating Hammam. Guests are also invited to take advantage of the fitness centre. There is also an outdoor swimming pool with remarkable lake views. This hotel is pet friendly.

Nestled among the vineyards of Beaujolais, Chateau De Bagnols is  half an hour outside of the centre in a pretty village. Housed in a privately owned 15th-century castle, the hotel offers 27 suites (some air conditioned), across three categories. Contemporary decor in cool tones blends with antiques, four poster beds, vaulted ceilings and beams. The formal restaurant, 1217, is Michelin-starred and features an enormous, majestic, stone carved fireplace, as well as a south-facing al fresco terrace. Or guests can take a seat in the inner courtyard’s Café du Château for lighter meals. Additional deluxe amenities found on site include an outdoor pool flanked by cherry trees, a spa and a gym.

Get a taste of Italy, right in the heart of France. This villa’s building design echoes the Renaissance style found peppered through the Old Town. Inside there’s a mix of modern and period furnishings with 18th-century frescoes, large french windows, and 32 rooms. Outside, there’s a sleek pool and large jacuzzi with loungers (from here you can take in the surrounding panorama, from the hillside vantage point). Part of the Relais and Chateaux portfolio, the residence is refined and elegant, committed to fine food that’s crafted using the freshest produce. Les Terrasses de Lyon has a Michelin star, along with some of the best views in town.

Guests are greeted at this homely venue, nestled in Méribel village, by a large green topiary bear. Inside, is cosy and bright, with plenty of contemporary Alpine style touches. Guests can sip on drinks and listen to music by the fireside in the bar, or retreat to the calmer library (also with a roaring fire). 37 rooms come with iPads and south-facing views, while the dining room provides gourmet cuisine (including a weekly Savoyarde night), under the direction of Michelin star chef Stéphane Froidevaux. Spa Temea offers therapies calling on homoeopathic, ayurvedic and shiatsu traditions, as well as beauty treatments.

Owned by a family of avid skiers (the Capezzone’s), this is part of a small boutique chain. Very much a family affair, son Tom designed the interiors, daughter Emily is the maitre d’, while the owners Suzanne and Philippe are ever-present. The decor in the property has been inspired by Tibet – Chogori means ‘Big Mountain – while the tasting menus in L’Altiplano take on a Peruvian flair, incorporating Japanese cookery techniques, with dishes served on charcoal black crockery. Also in the hotel is the K2 Boutique, Goji Spa by Valmont, a kids’ zone and Bar 1954.

A short stroll from the heart of 1850 lies this collection of apartments. Sleeping between two and five in each suite, the resort caters to a wide range of parties. Eschewing the more traditional Alpine cuisine, this hotel serves exquisite sushi in its Japanese restaurant, Sumosan. The Six Senses Spa’s encompasses 7,500 sqft of treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool, an outdoor hot tub, a juice bar and Kneipp foot bath therapy – with rituals accompanied by Organic Pharmacy products. There’s also an on-site ski rental shop and boutique, so you can pack lightly for inbound travel.

Guests here are housed in one of 70 bedrooms, some in chalets and ‘mazots’ (a kind of Savoyard mountain hut). Les Fermes de Marie came into being in the 1980s but now has a classic chalet feel (think Game of Thrones-style; wood panelling, fur throws, sheepskin cushions and rustic four-poster beds). Its new-look Pure Altitude Spa was launched in 2019, with 17 treatment cabins, hot and cold ceder ofuro soaking tubs, a child-friendly indoor-outdoor swimming pool and an adults-only indoor pool. There’s also a hot tub on the terrace, the Traditionnel restaurant and two further eateries that open during high season.