Chic Chalet Guide: Chalet St Hubert, Argentière, Chamonix. France

Chalet St Hubert
Argentière, Chamonix
Sleeps 10/11

From £1150 pp/week

Gorgeously styled old chalet
in heart of Argentière

usp
This farmhouse chalet belongs to a former French ski racer so is full of mountain memorabilia and trophies. The company which runs it is managed by French people who have lived in Chamonix for 30 years and have a useful network of local contacts. This means that they get offered stunning chalets in outstanding locations that would not normally be available to those outside Chamonix. St Hubert is one of the best examples of this.

location
It is tucked down a little alley in the old part of Argentière, up the valley from Chamonix, and best placed for the best mountain in the Chamonix valley – Les Grands Montets. Great views of the Mont Blanc massif, although it is a bit of a hike to the lift if you choose to walk it.

style
Gorgeous rustic chic, with warm red gingham checks, wooden walls, vintage ski prints and antique books galore, housed in a genuinely crumbly old wooden chalet. Supremely tasteful fabrics and furniture throughout, plus a few modern touches such as the unusually modern beaten metal fireplace in the small but infinitely cosy living room. ^

rooms
These are all different, and all stunning – although one is a little smaller than the rest (you could put the kids in that one). The top floor is one giant suite, which comes with its own living room and little attic. The best room is probably the one on the first floor, with the desk overlooking Mont Blanc, although they are all fabulous. Appropriately enough for a French chalet, the toiletries are supplied by L’Occitane. ^

food & drink
Heaven. Chalet St Hubert’s chefs are ‘borrowed’ from Michelin starred restaurants across Europe, including The Square in London (which has supplied several, with recommendations flowing between colleagues). The local Savoie region provides the inspiration, although there is room for classics such as apple and rhubarb crumble or lasagne with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil salad. We cancelled a restaurant booking because the food was so good in-chalet. ^

service
The service was more relaxed and laid-back than off-puttingly luxury hotel style. It struck the perfect note for a chalet that is more homely (if extremely stylish) than opulent. ^

spa facilities
The spa facilities are not extensive, but there is a sauna and massages can be organised at the chalet in people’s rooms. ^

children
The Chalet can arrange childcare and babysitting for those that require it. They also supply cots, high-chairs, buggies and car seats, and are happy to provide early supper for the children. There is even a supply of toys. They have contacts with some private instructors who are brilliant with little ones, and can arrange lessons with them for half or full days. They come to the chalet to pick the children up in the morning or afternoon, and bring them back to the chalet afterwards or meet you on the slopes. ^

extras
As you would expect, the chalet has log fires, a sauna, flat screen TVs and a ski room, but it is the hugely stylish and cosy decor, as well as the position and size of the chalet, that make it special. ^

for skiers
Where better than the Chamonix valley, which has something for all levels? Jean-Marie Olianti, the husband of Colleen, the Chamonix-based director of the chalet operator, is an experienced guide and member of the prestigious Compagnie des Guides. He skis with many of the clients. As locals, the chalet company has extremely good links with the guides and with the ESF – they know the system and several of the instructors and have no difficulty arranging bookings, even at the last minute. ^

for non skiers
There is a sauna at Chalet St Hubert, and DVD player. But Chamonix, which is about 20 minutes away down the valley (by car), was a town before it was a ski resort, so there are lots of cultural as well as shopping opportunities for visitors. The shops include Chanel, Patagonia and Helly Hansen, while there is also the Michelin starred Albert 1er restaurant, a cinema, a bowling alley, casino, ice rink, modern sports centre with a pool, gym etc and tennis and squash courts. There is also a museum which gives a fascinating insight into the history of the valley in both geological and human terms, plus a bustling open-air market. ^

best thing
The rooms and the food. ^

worst thing
The ‘smallest’ room, and the hike to the nearest lift, at the bottom of Les Grand Montets (approx 15 minutes), particularly given that the chalet only offers a minibus shuttle service once at the beginning and end of each day. Another disavantage is, for the non-skiers, the fact that Chamonix is a drive away. ^

getting there
The nearest airport to Chamonix is Geneva, which is around an hour away. Chalet St Hubert lays on return transfers, which are included in the price. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged, at around 1600 euros for a maximum of six people one-way, and the journey takes 30 minutes. ^

bottom line
The chalet sleeps 10-11 only on a whole-chalet basis. Prices start from £1150 per person, based on 10 people sharing. There is a reduction of between 15 and 20% (depending on their age) for children under 15 years. ^

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.

Scores out
of ten

Chalet - 9
Service - 8
Room - 9
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 7