Best Luxury 5 Star Hotels in Rhône-Alps

Taking its name from the surrounding snows, this mountain chalet gives direct access to the slopes. This Hotel Barrière has 20 guest rooms, 22 suites and a penthouse, all draped in sumptuous cream and silky white fabrics with strewn faux furs, offsetting the natural wood structure. A member of the Leading Hotels of the World, Les Neiges has two restaurants, a bar, a cigar lounge and a pretty terrace for exterior dining accompanied by the DJ’s beats. And in the Diane Barrière Spa, guests will find six treatment booths, a hammam, sauna, cold bath, swimming pool and aquatic course, all spread across 1,000 m2 of pampering space.

Enjoy all the cosiness of an Alpine chalet in full contemporary style at M de Megève. The design here is deeply sophisticated, befitting a sleek boutique establishment. A new wing was added in 2019, housing some of the hotel’s 42 bedrooms, and there’s a spa (with a counter-current pool) beneath the ground floor. Nothing says romance quite like a horse-drawn carriage rides around a snow-covered French chocolate box town – and this is something the hotel offers completely free of charge (although it must be pre-booked). It’s a perfect setting for a proposal or a memorable anniversary, followed by an exquisite French meal at Le M Restaurant.

Les Clos des Sens is an intimate and luxurious escape in the stunning surroundings of Annecy. Located close to the Lake of Annecy, this tranquil retreat boasts 10 beautifully appointed rooms offering spectacular lake and city views. The hotel displays simplistic and contemporary décor in every corner with an elegant and sophisticated ambience amidst the stunning landscapes of the area. Guests are invited to indulge in the gourmet dining from the on-site three-Michelin-starred kitchen which allows you to savour the gastronomic delights on offer in the cosy dining room or garden. The hotel offers a heated, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, lined with loungers, inviting you to soak up the summer sun in peace and in style. The hotel’s idyllic location provides easy access to the lake and the surrounding mountains, allowing you to make the most of your stay and see all that there is to see without having to go far.

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.

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.

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 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.