Best Boutique Hotels in Rhône-Alps

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.

With just four private luxury chalets to choose from, guests at Hotel Village La Mourra can be sure that they will be treated to an intimate atmosphere and a personalised service. Indulging in treatments in the My Blend by Clarins is the perfect way to unwind after spending the day on the slopes, while guests are also treated to a sauna and steam room to unwind in. the hotel also comes complete with a seventeen-metre pool, while a team of physiotherapists and an osteopath are on hand to pamper guests from head to toe. The chalets feature beautiful marble bathrooms and large bathrooms, while the reclaimed wooden furniture features colourful and cosy touches. Lovers of Japanese cuisine are also sure to love the selection of dishes that are served in the cosy dining room.

Providing a distinct and different aesthetic to many of the other hotels in the region, Hotel Des Trois Vallées has a post-war and mid-century interior style. Room types are titled: Comfort, Privilege, or Suite, with a Nespresso machine, minibar and balcony in each. Dine on authentic local table d’hôte menus while seated at rustic trestle tables in L’Épicerie. Slow down at the Spa des 3 Vallées, with its Turkish Bath, sauna and Grand Jacuzzi. And escape the crowds in a setting that’s far enough of the beaten track, yet still in the heart of Alpine activity.

Featuring one of the best restaurants, not only in the region but the world, Flocons de Sel has been awarded a rare three Michelin stars for its cuisine. Chef Emmanuel Renaut – himself indigenous to the Haute-Savoie area – is at the helm and invites guests to join him on nearby forest walks, to experience foraging for mushrooms and medicinal plants, while learning more about sustainability. Initially designed to be a family home, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux property is set high up overlooking the village. The hotel incorporates a spa and three restaurants. Bedrooms and suites are spacious, all with either terraces or balconies, some with open fires or wood-burning stoves.

With just 12 suites and a three-bedroom private cottage set across three chalets, Zannier Hotels Le Chalet creates an intimate environment for its residents. Each residence has its own balcony or terrace and suits longer stays – the hotel can be booked in its entirety for extra exclusivity. And with fewer guests, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy a little solitude in the sleek spa, or indulge in a quiet meal. It has ski-in and ski-out access and a dedicated ski concierge, with Patisserie Buffets, served every morning to set guests up for a day on the slopes. Apres-ski, those staying at the hotel can feast on French-style tapas, Alpine gastronomic creations and attend ‘Bistronomique’ evenings.

If you’re travelling with a larger group, take a look at Alpaga. Its three-storey chalets can sleep up to 20, with apartments catering for 6, as well as rooms for singles, couples and families. The restaurant, La Table de l’Alpaga, has been recognised with two Michelin stars and specialises in fine plant-based cuisine and there’s a bistro, L’Onyx, as well as lighter food served in the lobby-side bar. Spa de l’Alpaga offers a little hydro adventure, with an in-pool bubble couch and massage jets, all moodily lit and clad in dark grey stone for atmosphere. Alpaga may be a high-end hotel, but it suits those who prefer a relaxed approach to finery.

Get the perfect night’s sleep in one of 18 fully soundproof suites at the centrally located Hôtel L’hêlios. Most offer double bedded facilities, however, The Duplex Suites and the Helios Suite have an added twin bedroom making them ideal for families. The decor is modern chalet style, taking cues from the local Alpine design and French vintage vibes. This hotel has its own private cinema, a Pro Shop by Lacroix, The Spa by Carita, a dining room and a terrace (the hotel’s refined Savoyarde cuisine can be enjoyed inside or out, with mountain views).