An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £11,800 for whole chalet, £1475pp
Gorgeous mountain-chic chalet
in leafy Chamonix enclave
usp
Chalet Baloo is one of three sister chalets that sits in a secluded, hidden away enclave of Chamonix, in a sort of private hamlet all to themselves. They are all completely secure and safe, and all three – Baloo, flagship chalet Amazon Creek and Baby Bear – make up ‘Amazonia’. The name Amazon Creek is taken from a bay on the Turkish coast that the owner was sailing around when he decided to set up a chalet business in Chamonix, and the company logo is inspired by the coastline too.
location
‘Amazonia’ is located in Les Bossons, a leafy little village on the Les Houches side of Chamonix, just five minutes’ drive from the town itself and five minutes from Les Houches by a winding back route. Mont Blanc looms so close you feel you could reach out and touch it.
style
Gorgeous, opulent, Alpine chic. Think skins and furs, designer chairs, lots of stained wood and leather, plus red rugs and cushions – red being the signature colour for all the chalets. Baloo was, in fact, a bergerie originally located in Meribel that was moved to Chamonix, hence lots of the beams are gorgeous, gnarly originals. ^
rooms
Baloo has five en-suite double bedrooms. There are DVD players in each, plus individual controlled heating, and the master bedroom in Baloo, which is huge, has its own woodburner and balcony. Each of the rooms is beautifully designed, continuing the Alpine chic theme, and really spacious. ^
food & drink
Baloo and its sister chalets serve up gorgeously hearty food, including cooked breakfasts, fresh cakes and pastries in the afternoon, and a four-course meal in the evening, plus cheese. There are excellent house wines plus a small cellar of finer wines to upgrade to if you so wish, and unlike at other chalets there is no set working menu – all meals are bespoke, prearranged with the chef to suit guests’ needs and preferences. The chef is properly passionate too, which adds to the whole gourmet experience. ^
service
The staff all have genuine experience working in hospitality, so there is nothing slack about them. Your fire is lit for when you come down off the slopes, the sauna is on, and a bath can be run if you want it to be. No gap year seasonnaires to be seen. ^
spa facilities
Baloo has an outdoor Jacuzzi, indoor heated plunge pool, and a sauna/steam room. Massages are laid on in guests’ own rooms by the fantastic local Revive therapists. Just heaven. ^
children
Separate meals can be laid on for kids, and the chalet works with a top nanny service so can arrange English-speaking nannies or even Russian-speaking if requested. The chalet is also kitted out with children’s DVDs and toys, as well as kiddie paraphernalia such as high chairs, cots and even kids’ cutlery. There are also PlayStations in the chalet, and lots of lovely nooks and crannies in the eaves of the building for children to hide away and play in.
extras
There is wifi throughout, Sky on the main (giant) TV in the living area, all ski stuff from passes to ski school can be arranged in advance and beauty treatments can be laid on. Branded rugged-chic Defenders are used to drive you around the resort too – far more stylish than the usual VW Caravelles. ^
for skiers
Chamonix is a fantastic resort that consists of four different ski areas. There is plenty for all levels, although it has gained a reputation for being an off-pisters paradise, and there is certainly lots of gnarly terrain to tackle, but intermediates have plenty to entertain them too. ^
for non skiers
The chalet’s drivers can whisk non-skiers off into town for some lovely shopping or take them to meet the skiers for lunch, while there is lots of snowshoeing to do nearby too (the walk into Chamonix is really pretty, through a forest, and takes about 45 minutes), plus trips further afield such as to the spa and hot springs at Pré St Didier. ^
best thing
The gorgeous sense of seclusion, being tucked away in your very own private mountain hideaway. ^
worst thing
The lighting is rather atmospheric in the bedrooms ie a bit dim and not great for doing make-up by. Very flattering though! ^
getting there
Geneva is less than an hour away, and the chalet includes transfers with a private transfer company in the price. ^
bottom line
Prices start from £11,800 for the whole chalet for the week, or £1475pp. ^
BOUTIQUE WEEKS
Only at shrt notice, around three weeks beforehand. ^
bookings & enquiries
If you would like to make an enquiry or a booking, please email enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk. Remember, we have visited all the chalets we feature so can give you totally unbiased, independent advice on all of them. The prices we quote are also the list prices quoted by the chalets themselves, so there is no advantage in going to the chalets direct.
Chalet - 9
Service - 9
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 9
Do spoil yourselves and sample some of the fine wines in Baloo’s cellar, including a knock-out 2001 Montrachet and Chateau Yquem Sauternes
Quickfinder
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Boutique weeks
• Summer
• Ski Weekends
• Other chalets in this resort
CHAMONIX
RESORT GUIDE
The Chic Chalet Guide to Chamonix
how to book
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
“We have had a fantastic holiday. Every meal was amazing. Our holiday at Chalet Baloo exceeded expectations, the chalet is amazing and we had days on the mountains that we will never forget. Thank you so much for a holiday of a lifetime.”
“Thank you team Baloo for a great time! The food was excellent and everything went like clockwork. We look forward to coming back.”
summer
Open on a self-catered basis.
ski weekends
Chalet Baloo and its sister chalets Amazon Creek and Baby Bear all over short breaks, both early week or weekend. Price on application.
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