Best Luxury Hotels in Rhône-Alps

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.

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.

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.

The hotel is made up of three large Savoyard‑style chalets, each with its own personality. They’re named Ève, Noémie and Alice in homage to the Rothschild family, who collaborated with Four Seasons on both this property and Hotel Megève. Many of the Rothschild’s own antiquities have been included in the design and buildings, which encompass a total of 41 rooms. The hotel runs a shuttle to the slopes and village, there’s a dog walking service for those visiting with pets and in the winter holidays, Chalet des Enfants provides activities for younger guests. Guests can enjoy a super dining service at the recently opened restaurant, called ‘La table de Noémie’, either on the terrace, or as room service with dishes crafted from locally sourced mountain‑grown ingredients.

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.

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.

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.

Found at Rond Point, this is an uber-stylish five-star boutique property with direct ski-in/ski-out access. Family-owned (it’s part of a small chain) a Parisian architect, Pierre Yovanovavich, was brought in to create a mid-century feel, that stands apart from the region’s Alpine themed hotels. 54 forms of accommodation make use of a retro palette, such as mustard yellows, salmon pinks, moss greens and burnt terracottas. Elsewhere, it has a boot room, a Tata Harper spa, gym, yoga studio, indoor-outdoor pool, kids’ club and the Beef Bar diner with Mediterranean-inspired dishes, as well as lots of succulent red meat.

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).

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.