An Alpine getaway needs to be done in style, so you'll need a picture-perfect mountain village and a luxurious lodge to match. Le Chalet couldn't be more fitting. It perches above Megeve, an affluent 1920s resort village that's long been reputed as a playground for the rich and famous. It boasts a pretty, medieval centre, boutique shops, a foodie rep, dozens of cross-country trails and access to over 400km of ski slopes.
Though technically a hotel, this bespoke retreat champions exclusivity. Its 12 rooms and suites, spread across three chalets, are enormous. No two are the same, but they all showcase beautifully handcrafted design and come with sweeping Alpine vistas. Le Chalet has two distinct seasons: winter, for snowsports and a buzzy atmosphere; summer, for adventure activities and tranquility. A concierge service offers all manner of experiences – as wild as heli-skiing or canyoning - and in winter a private chauffeur will whizz you to the slopes every morning (a godsend when lugging clunky ski equipment about). Return to soothe achy limbs at the deeply luxurious spa (winter only), complete with pool, sauna and hammam, and refuel with an all-French affair at the gourmet restaurant – there’s also an afternoon patisserie buffet served alongside hot drinks if you need a pick-me-up before that (yes please!). Open fires and moody interiors combine in the guest salon - bag a spot by the fire here and round off the day with a book and a boozy nightcap. We'll toast to that when it's our turn to go!
Highs
- Combines the best of a private ski chalet with luxury hotel services
- Food showcases flavours and produce from the Haute-Savoie region, with a focus on seasonal produce
- Seriously sumptuous (and enormous) suites have rustic-luxe interiors and terraces overlooking the slopes
- Access to a vast ski region covering 445 km
- The private concierge service offers a myriad of adventure activities in winter and summer: dog-sledding, balloon rides, photography tours… you name it
Lows
- It’s far from cheap, but you do get bang for your buck; winter rates include breakfast, dinner, afternoon tea, minibar and local chauffeur service; summer rates are B&B only but are considerably lower
- The spa and pool are closed in summer, and lunch and dinner are not available at the restaurant
- Not all rooms have those gorgeous open fireplaces – check when booking
- The chalet-style decor (dark wood, low lighting) means rooms are quite dark - but they do look very cosy!
Best time to go
Le Chalet’s winter season runs from December to April; summer season is from June to September. Come in winter for snowsports, log fires and fully operational hotel services. If you don’t like crowds, avoid the peak weeks of New Year and February half term. Summer is quieter and cheaper, and an ideal time for hiking, climbing or canyoning. Note that the hotel’s spa and indoor pool are closed in summer, and the restaurant only offers breakfast.
Our top tips
If you're looking for Apres-ski, head to Club de Jazz Les Cinq Rues in Megeve. It's one of France's oldest and best jazz clubs, offering regular live music, cocktails and a glitzy atmosphere.
- Boutique hotel
- 12 bedrooms
- Restaurant & bar
- All ages welcome
- Closed: Apr-mid Jun & Oct-early Dec
- Indoor Pool
- Spa
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car recommended
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Le Chalet has four rooms and eight suites, all of which are deeply luxurious. Wood is a key element in their design – floors, walls, ceilings – and the look is very Swiss-chalet. Colours are muted, and lighting is dim, but picture windows bring in natural light – dazzling white in winter, golden in summer. Furniture is handcrafted, and display antiques are sourced from local artisans. All rooms have kingsize beds, and all bathrooms have baths and rain showers.
At 30sqm, the two Deluxe Rooms are the smallest, but both can connect with Suites. Prestige Rooms are slightly larger (40sqm), each with a living area and a terrace with mountain views. The Junior Suites take things up another notch, and most of them have feature fireplaces.
The four Suites look spectacular. Suite 4 is a duplex, with a kingsize bedroom on the mezzanine, and balconies on both floors. Suite 3 is also a duplex, with one kingsize bedroom and a living room that can be converted into a twin bedroom for kids. Suite 2 looks ideal for couples, with its chunky four-poster bed, a walk-in wardrobe and a cosy dining area. At a whopping 140sqm, Suite 1 spans two floors and features two bedrooms, an enormous fireplace and a semi-open bathroom.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
Eating
Beautifully prepared, locally sourced food is a big part of the ethos here. Breakfast is a decadent buffet, served either in your room or at the restaurant (no room service in summer). Expect flaky pastries, just-baked rolls, dairy products from the surrounding mountains, and cold cuts from local butchers.
In winter, the restaurant, La Ferme de mon Père, serves French fare from the Haute-Savoie region. Fresh vegetables take centre stage - think truffled millefeuille with avocado, or smoked carrot tagine. The wine list is extensive – ask for pairing recommendations.
If you're around for lunch, a light daytime menu (croque monsieurs, club sandwiches, soups etc) is offered in the lounge (winter only). Afternoon tea, or the patisserie buffet as it’s known, is also served here, with a tempting selection of cakes, biscuits and hot drinks to choose from. There’s also a lounge bar where you can sip cocktails and aperitifs.
Megeve itself has a reputation as a gastronomic hotspot, with almost 90 restaurants to choose from - everything from pizza joints to Michelin-starred eateries. Try the fondue at Le Restaurant Alpin, or soak up the views of Megeve and Mont Blanc from Face au Mont Blanc.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- In winter:
- The skiing here is world-famous, comprising 136 groomed runs and totalling over 400km. The concierge will help you arrange ski passes and equipment, and the chauffeur will shuttle you to the slopes. Lessons, heli-skiing and ski safaris are all bookable via the concierge
- Other snowsports on offer include electric snow biking, dog-sledding, snowshoe trekking, and bobsleighing
- Spend a day in Megeve, indulging in some luxury shopping and browsing the art galleries
- Rejuvenate sore ski muscles at the spa, where there’s an indoor pool, a steam room, a sauna, and a range of treatments to choose from
In summer: - Head off on valley walks or mountain hikes. Megeve is in a very open valley, so the slopes are not too steep
- See the mountains from a bird’s eye view and go paragliding over the peaks
- Try rafting or canyoning, plus there's rock climbing in Chamonix, or swimming and boating on the lakes at nearby Annecy or Geneva
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Shopping / markets
- Skiing
Kids
Children are welcome at Le Chalet, and there are various accommodation options that work well for families. In winter, the restaurant offers kid-friendly meals. Megeve has all sorts of kid-friendly activities, from reindeer feeding to tobogganing.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Suites 1 and 3 both sleep four, each with twin bedrooms for kids. Suite 3 can also interconnect with a Junior Suite to accommodate a larger family. Suite 2 can connect with a Deluxe Room and Suite 4 can take an extra bed (on request) and connect with either a Deluxe or Prestige Room. Junior Suites can also fit an extra bed (on request). Baby cots can be setup in all rooms.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Available on request
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Families Should Know:
The hotel pool is for adult use only
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour
- Hospital: 25 mins
- Supermarket: 10 mins' walk
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Le Chalet is located in the French resort of Megève in Haute-Savoie, south-east France. The region borders Italy and Switzerland.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Geneva (87km), which has exits into Switzerland and France. It's just an hour away and has international flights from many European cities and beyond.
From the Airport
Private transfers can be arranged by the hotel, or you can hire a car (see below).
By Car:
If arriving via Geneva Airport, it’s worth picking up your hire car on the Swiss side of the border, as you’ll find it easier - and probably cheaper. Note that you’ll need a vignette (annual permit) to drive on Swiss motorways. For car rentals, click here to see our recommendations. The hotel is just 13km from the motorway in Sallanches, and it's a 20-minute drive up the mountain from there.
By Train:
The nearest railway stations are St Gervais and Sallanches, both of which are just 20 minutes away by car.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Geneva 87.0 km GVA
- Lyon Saint-Exupéry 171.0 km LYS
Other:
- Beach 70.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km