An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From approx £3,170 for whole chalet self-catered
for the week; from approx £390 extra per person
for half board package
Quirky, bohemian-chic chalet
in pretty Chamonix enclave
usp
You will either adore Chalet Village or it will not be for you at all. It is a funky, quirky space with lots of colourful splashes and pop art and floor cushions, but it is limited in terms of sheer luxury. A favourite of ours nevertheless. Oh, and it has a fabulous copper bath in the master bedroom.
location
Chalet Village is a 300-year-old chalet located in Les Bois, a quiet, residential, shop-free village in the Chamonix valley half way between Chamonix town and Argentière. It sits in a little courtyard which is shared with a few other properly rustic, tumbledown old wooden chalets. The feeling is very much of being a part of old Chamonix.
style
Bohemian-chic. Chalet Village is old and authentic on the outside, cool, colourful and funky on the inside. There are giant purple floor cushions, Moroccan lanterns, pop art posters, lots of space and fantastic views both from the large balcony (which faces Mont Blanc perfectly) and from the windows at the top of the generous living space. A central fireplace divides the living area in two, creating a great separate area for children. ^
rooms
The rooms are not huge but have immense charm. They also have open plan shower and beaten copper or brass sink facilities, rather than separate en suites, and it should be noted that none has its own loo. The chalet has two separate loos that are shared by all rooms. The master bedroom is the best, with its own stand-alone beaten copper bath. Toiletries are by L’Occitane. ^
food & drink
If you opt for catered, the chef who is brought in is a fantastic cook who works at the five star Albert Premier hotel in Chamonix and who can produce anything from lavish feasts to mounds of steamingly delicious spaghetti bolognaise. ^
service
Despite its gorgeous laidbackness and almost hippy vibe, Chalet Village comes with tip-top service. It is fully catered by an excellent professional chef who also works in some of Chamonix’s smartest restaurants. It also comes with a driver service plus full concierge facilities. ^
spa facilities
Chalet Village has an outdoor Swedish hot tub that is heated by a wooden stove. A large sauna is also being installed in the cellar ready for winter 2011/2012. ^
children
Children would love Chalet Village. It is located in a really quiet enclave with its own garden, plus it has a divided living space so they can have their own zone. There are also board games, toys, books, an Apple Mac for surfing the internet and Apple TV with a selection of kids movies. ^
extras
Chalet Village comes with its own guest computer (a giant new Apple Mac) plus printer, and it has Apple TV installed in a big TV system that is hidden behind the central fireplace and can be pulled out or pushed away out of sight. Wifi is available throughout. The chalet is also powered by solar energy in the summer and has a lovely garden out the front where the hot tub sits and which has a big picnic table for outside dining when warm enough. There is also a large balcony, lit prettily by fairy lights at night, and bathed in sunshine by day, with fabulous views of Mont Blanc. The chalet also has parking space for two cars. ^
for skiers
Chamonix is a serious skier’s nirvana, a world class resort with world class skiing. It has plenty of off-piste and some gnarly blacks, but is also good for intermediates seeking less challenging runs. The softer areas of Flégère and Brévent are good for intermediates, as is Le Tour at the head of the valley. Grands Montets is where the hard-core head. ^
for non skiers
Les Bois is a lovely spot to be based if you are a non-skier, offering lots of forest walks nearby, cross-country tracks and bike trails too. All sorts of other activities can be laid on for the non-skier as well. There are hot springs trips through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Pré St Didier in Courmayeur, shopping day trips to Verbier or Milan (just a 1hr 30mins heli ride away), or Geneva or Chamonix itself. Heli sight-seeing trips to Italy have also been popular in the past, as have snow-shoe walking expeditions and husky sledding sessions. The centre of Chamonix is a charming 35 minute walk away, down quiet wooded paths. ^
best thing
The groovy, hippy vibe throughout. ^
worst thing
The limited loo facilities. ^
getting there
The chalet can pick you up from the nearest airport which is Geneva or you will have to make your own way, depending on the package you book with them. Many guests arrive by private jet at Sion, and they will pick up from there too, or either Geneva, Martigny or Annecy train stations, depending on the package. ^
bottom line
The chalet is priced from 3,500 euros (approx £3170) for the week, self-catered, in winter and summer. It can be booked on either a catered or uncatered basis, plus all the usual extra services such as drivers and private chef. ^
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 - 8
Service - 9
Room - 8
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 7
Look closely at the cable cars seen through one of the top windows, and don’t be taken in! They’re not real.
Quickfinder
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
• Summer
• Weekends and
short breaks
• Other chalets in Chamonix
CHAMONIX
RESORT GUIDE
The Chic Chalet Guide to Chamonix
how to book
Email: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"A gorgeous chalet in a gorgeous tiny village with great mountain views and a sunny terrace. Lovely."
"A four-poster bed, a copper bath and a Swedish hot tub? What more could we ask for!"
"Home away from home with luxury."
"An Unforgettable Experience!"
"A perfect place for your escape to the beautiful French Alps."
summer
From £3,170 per week for the whole chalet on a self-catered basis
See which other chalets open in the summer
Weekends and short breaks
Yes.
St Anton | Les Cerniers | Chamonix | Courchevel 1650 | St Gervais | Les Gets | Laax | Lech | Megève | Méribel | St Martin de Belleville | St Moritz | Nendaz
Portes du Soleil | Sainte Foy | Sierre-Anniviers | Tignes les Brévières | La Tzoumaz | Val d'Entremont | Val d'Isère | Verbier | Veysonnaz | Zermatt