Best Luxury Hotels in Rhône-Alps

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.

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.

Stay right on the Rhône at this grand 144 bedroomed establishment. It only opened in 2019 – but has a stunning 18th century facade – a hotly anticipated arrival to the city’s wining and dining scene. There’s a sense of drama in the design. The building’s domed ceiling is 32 metres in height, with breathtaking floral displays in the lobby, gold-leaf finishings, sumptuous silk textiles and contemporary artworks adorning the walls. Guests have access to Spa le Tigre, a 24 hour fitness room, Epona restaurant and a cloistered courtyard with its own magnolia tree.

This chic family run establishment boasts a cosy interior and plenty of luxurious touches. Guests are sure to love unwinding besides the open fire and taking in the stunning mountain scenery from the spacious terrace or in the celebrated lounge room. The main suites here are especially comfortable and come complete with their own balconies that offer impressive views. The hot tubs that are set right into the snow are the perfect places to unwind in style, while there is also an outdoor heated swimming pool and a hammam. In between spending time on the slopes, guests can also work up a sweat in the gym and take part in yoga classes.

The dark beams, heavy ornate wooden fireplaces, oversized oil paintings, wood-panelled tubs and Elizabethan style furnishings found in Airelles Val d’Isèr creates an almost medieval feel. Every room has a bath here, and although there’s a pool and hot tub, the option for a private soak post-slopes is most welcome. Guests have ski-in, ski-out access and can buy ski passes on site. Elsewhere, the hotel has a Guerlain spa, an outdoor terrace, gym, two restaurants (French and Italian) and a bar. Double rooms, through to two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes are available.

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.

Located just three hundred metres from the heart of the village, Hotel Christina provides guests with a warm welcome and plenty of luxurious touches. There are various different guestrooms here to enjoy, with the largest suites offering stunning mountain views from their traditional wooden balconies. Guests are invited to make full use of the indoor swimming pool and sauna, while a range of winter activities are also provided for guests to take part in. Hotel Christina is also famous for its hearty cuisine, which is just waiting to be indulged in après ski.

Set between the entrance to the exclusive Les Carats luxury chalets and the foot of the Bellevarde de Face slope, Les Barmes de l’Ours is perfectly positioned for people who want to take to the slopes and enjoy the area’s vibrant nightlife scene. This luxury hotel is set high on the slope and provides pretty views down the valley to the village of Val-d’Isère. In addition to forty-nine guestrooms there are twenty-seven spacious suites to choose from that have been decorated in a range of styles from the classic American lodge style to modern contemporary charm. A 1,000 square metre wellness sanctuary is the perfect place to revitalise and refresh the mind and body. This impressive establishment is also packed with amenities such as a fully loaded gym, several saunas, a steam room, hairdressing salons and eleven different treatment booths.

With its special ski-to-door access, Le Yule Hotel and Spa offers guests the opportunity to roll out of bed and hit the slopes straight away. Village Ski Lift is located just 200 metres away, while Bellevarde Express Ski Lift is just a 400-metre stroll. Even people who don’t want to try their hands at skiing will find plenty to do here as the large and luxurious spa come with a sauna and steam room, while there is a whole host of spa treatments to choose from. There are 41 rooms in total, with top options including balconies that look out over the slopes.

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.

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.

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.