An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £8,500 exclusive chalet per week
Peaceful, contemporary chalet getaway
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Hidden away high on the mountainside in its own glade of pines, Chalet Charr is a secluded Alpine chalet retreat with fabulous views out across Val d’Anniviers to the mountains beyond. This recently built designer chalet would suit either a group of friends or a family looking for a quiet holiday in a small, picturesque mountain resort.
location
Chalet Charr is located in St Luc, a delightful, traditional mountain village in the ski region known as Sierre-Anniviers or Val d’Anniviers, 30 minutes’ winding drive up from the Swiss town of Sierre. The chalet is less than five minutes further on from the village, along a quiet lane off the road leading up to the separate village and ski area of Chandolin. The chalet staff will drop you off and collect you from the lifts either in St Luc or Chandolin – both just a short drive away.
style
This newly built modern chalet has been sympathetically designed to blend in with its forest position, exploiting the natural light and glorious mountain views. Constructed primarily from granite and the rich honey-toned local meleze wood, with a timber shingle roof, Chalet Charr combines these traditional materials with contemporary stainless steel balconies and large reflective windows. The central oak and granite staircase links the interior which stretches over three floors. The spacious living-dining area has a stone fireplace and full height picture windows that provide spectacular views of the valley and mountains and also allow light to flood in. The furnishings are elegant and tasteful, mixing bespoke furniture with Persian rugs, antiques, art and photography. Sliding glass doors give access onto the south-facing balconies. ^
rooms
The bedrooms are well appointed, with large windows or glass doors to make the most of the scenic woodland setting and the natural light. Each room has its own bathroom, although one is not en suite and has its own private bathroom adjacent to the bedroom. Complimentary toiletries include handmade soaps by Wild Olive and shower gel and shampoo from Faith in Nature. All products are free from chemicals and made with essential oils. Bathrobes and slippers are provided. ^
food & drink
The food at Chalet Charr tends towards generous portions of good, honest, local food well presented in an informal dining atmosphere. The menus, based around fresh local produce, are devised by the chef in conjunction with guests before arrival, to ensure all tastes are catered for. Pre dinner canapés are served with a different superb local wine each evening. Champagne is served on the first night. Dinner is three courses plus a board of local cheeses accompanied by a selection of house wines provided by the Wine Society. There is also an extensive à la carte menu of wines for guests to upgrade to.
On Thursdays, the chalet staff night off, an arrangement has been made with the Grand Hotel Bella Tola nearby for chalet guests to dine in the terrace restaurant. The dinner menu includes a pre dinner aperitif and access to the Wellness Health Spa with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. This all comes complimentary for guests with the booking of the chalet. ^
service
There are two live-in staff on call six days a week who are informative and helpful. They provide a chauffeuring service (limited to St Luc and Chandolin), will organise lift passes, equipment hire and skiing lessons, and make sure any special requests are met where possible. There is also daily housekeeping. ^
spa facilities
Chalet Charr has a sauna with wet room. The chalet also has an arrangement with the Hotel Bella Tola in St Luc for guests to use the hotel’s spa facilities at certain times during the day at reduced rates. These include hamams, saunas, heated pool, cold plunge pool and treatment rooms. ^
children
Chalet Charr has stone stairs, high balconies and quality furnishings, so is not really suitable for young children. Because of this it only accepts babies and children over ten years old only. Children over ten are charged the adult price. The chalet has high chairs and cots for babies, there are plenty of games suitable for older children, and the separate leisure room with TV means that they can escape to watch movies or play games well away from the adults. ^
extras
There is a heated ski and boot room. A separate leisure room is equipped with a fireplace, wide screen TV with UK channels, surround sound, Blu-ray, DVD player, iPod dock and wifi. ^
for skiers
Sierre-Anniviers, which includes the villages of St Luc, Chandolin, Vercorin, Grimentz and Zinal, offers some of the highest snow-sure skiing in Switzerland. Although each village has its own ski area, they are all linked with a regional ski pass that provides access to 240km of pistes. There is a regular and reliable ski bus taking you to each area or you can organize a private taxi. For groups of less than six people the chalet will provide one free drop off and collection to either Grimentz or Zinal. Sierre-Anniviers’ pistes are generally not crowded and lift queues rare, and the area is also becoming well known for its extensive off-piste skiing.
The area of St-Luc, which climbs to 3000 meters, has piste skiing suitable for all levels and the neighbouring Chandolin area, which St Luc is connected to, has a range of varied terrain including open bowls and trails that drop down through mature forests – ideal for poor visibility days. St Luc also has a 35km marked ski touring trail, while the other two villages of Grimentz and Zinal are reached by road and provide more demanding red and black runs.
There is always the option, too, of a day in Crans Montana which is included on a six day Sierrre-Anniviers pass and is about an hour’s drive away. ^
for non skiers
Active non-skiers will not be disappointed: there is paragliding, hang-gliding, glacier walking, snowshoeing, sledging and hill walking all on the doorstep. For those less inclined to activity, take a gentle stroll through any of the old villages with their ancient barns and buildings. There is also the fabulous spa at the Grand Hotel Bella Tola and special rates to take advantage of. And of course the chalet provides the perfect setting to read, watch a movie or just relax and take in the mountain vista. ^
best thing
The peaceful chalet setting and views. ^
worst thing
When the snow conditions aren’t right, not being able to make the adventurous off piste ski-in ski-out to and from the chalet. ^
getting there
From Geneva airport there is an hourly train to Sierre that takes just under two hours. From Sierre the chalet can organise a private transfer for you to St Luc. Similar arrangements can be made from Zurich airport. Additionally, Snowjet fly from London Stansted to Sion in the weekends during winter. From here a private transfer to the chalet takes 45 minutes. For groups of six or less, the chalet will provide a free transfer from either Sierre station or Sion airport.
If you choose to hire a vehicle from Geneva, Sion or Zurich, which would allow you more freedom to explore Val d’Anniviers, a four-wheel drive is recommended. ^
bottom line
Chalet Charr sleeps 8 and costs from £8.500 exclusive chalet per week. ^
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 - 8
Food & Drink - 8
Luxury - 8
Don’t miss the complimentary night out at the Hotel Bella Tola on the staff’s day off – superb spa facilities and quite delicious food.
Quickfinder
• Summer
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
• Other retreats and hideway chalets
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"Many thanks for helping to organise our recent holiday at Chalet Charr in St Luc. We had a wonderful time. The chalet itself is beautiful, and in a lovely location with charming views. The interior, both in terms of style and quality is far above the norm. Sitting outside on the balcony, watching the sun go down over the valley, warmed by a couple of fur rugs was certainly memorable. St.Luc is a great little resort, so quiet, and with so much accessible off-piste – there is plenty of skiing to challenge anyone."
“We’ve had a fabulous week – wonderful, warm and welcoming hosts and chalet. Delicious food and wine. The skiing’s been a wonderful surprise – beautiful, almost empty slopes surrounded by incredible scenery. St Luc is just so pretty and interesting. We hope to be back very soon. Many thanks for spoiling us so beautifully.”
“The chalet is spectacular and all the extras you've thought of – handwarmers, chocolates, tissues by the door – have really spoiled us. The food has been delicious and as for as those cakes…! It will be hard to keep this place a secret from our friends but we don’t really want to share it!! Thank you so much.”
summer
Open on a B&B basis. Double rooms with breakfast cost from £90 per room per night for minimum two night stay. Dinner is available and costs £30 per head including four courses and wine. Apart from being an idyllic Alpine retreat, this is a perfect summer base for walking, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities.
See which other chalets are open in the summer.
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