An independent guide to luxury ski chalets
From £11,500 for whole chalet
Stylish comfort in traditional
French spa town
usp
Chalet Royale is the sister chalet to a four star hotel on the Isle of Wight and is run to a hotel standard by professional hoteliers with impeccable service, excellent food, and luxury accommodation.
location
The chalet is located five minutes above the classic spa town of St Gervais by car. It is also three minutes from the main St Gervais gondola, and five minutes from Le Bettex, the closest lift which is just up the mountain. The chalet has impressive views of the back of Mont Blanc from some of the bedrooms and the living area – a much better view than you get of the iconic domed peak from the Chamonix valley, in fact. The exclusive resort of Megève is also just 15 minutes away by car, 10 minutes away by ski, and is part of the same ski area.
style
Chalet Royale is not state of the art or contemporary, but a chalet that was built 10 years ago and that is hugely charming, comfortable and homely. Old-style paintings abound, antique ski paraphernalia adorns the walls, squishy brown leather sofas line the living area and soft lighting everywhere make it a genuinely lovely mountain home to return to after a day on the slopes. ^
rooms
There are five bedrooms, four en-suite and one with its own private bathroom. Each is an excellent size and generously furnished, with The White Company throws and cushions adorning the beds.
food & drink
The chef discusses menus and food allergies or preferences with the group before the holiday begins. Produce is as seasonal and local as possible, and it can range from the full-blown gourmet supper to just steak and chips or a raclette. Flexibility is key.
All drinks are included, and complimentary wine changes regularly but tends to include a Burgundy and a Bordeaux as well as two whites such as a Chablis Premier Cru. Guests can upgrade to something smarter if they wish. The champagne varies too, but is available throughout the evening all week, rather than just with the first night’s canapés. ^
service
Chalet Royale is run by professional hoteliers who divide their time between winters in the Alps and summers on the Isle of Wight, and the training shows. The balance is just right, being friendly but not too chummy, attentive but not over fussy. We felt relaxed and properly looked after during our stay. ^
spa facilities
The chalet comes with its own sauna and an outdoor Jacuzzi with spectacular views out over Mont Blanc up the other side of the valley. ^
children
Chalet Royale is a lovely chalet for children, particularly given that St Gervais is an excellent, family-friendly ski resort. Board games and books are provided, while birthday cakes and balloons and fireworks can all be easily arranged. ^
extras
The chalet has wifi throughout. It will also do guests’ laundry. Massages can be arranged, for an extra fee, as can guiding and private lessons. ^
for skiers
St Gervais is an excellent resort for families and mixed-ability groups. It has lots of great, broad, groomed pistes, which are perfect for intermediates, gentle slopes for beginners, and some challenging tougher
runs for the more advanced – plus everyone can easily meet up for lunch. Don’t miss La Finance blue from the top of Mont D’Arbois down to Le Bettex, or the Saint Nicolas circuit on reds or blues.
Another great thing about St Gervais is that it is really well-located for several other top resorts, such as Chamonix, Les Contamines and Courmayeur, all of which are only around 30 minutes away. St Gervais itself is not a very high resort, but the chalet has two dedicated Landrovers and will happily ferry guests further afield if needed. ^
for non skiers
There is plenty for the non-skier to do in St Gervais. There are lovely walks such as the 11km hike to the nearby village of St Nicolas or the walk into town. St Gervais itself also has some attractive shops including a great deli and a gorgeous interiors shop, while any visitor should timetable a trip to the Thermes de St Gervais, the spa that made the resort famous. People still take the waters and visit the spa for medical reasons as well as just for pampering. A trip up the Mont Blanc tramway is also not to be missed – the highest rack and pinion railway in France, which leads to the Glacier de Bionnassay, the starting point for the ascent of Mont Blanc. ^
best thing
The Frenchness of St Gervais, the views of Mont Blanc, and the deep comfort of the chalet. ^
worst thing
St Gervais is possibly not the best resort for rocking après ski, although there are a few slinky wine bars in town for more subdued, adult drinking. ^
getting there
Geneva is the nearest airport, just under an hour away. Complimentary transfers are laid on by the chalet. ^
bottom line
The starting price is from £1150pp 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 - 8
Service - 9
Room - 8
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 8
Have lunch at the charming mountain restaurant Sous Les Freddy’s; simple, eat-as-much-as-you-like set lunch menu plus delicious homemade desserts
Quickfinder
• Summer
• Short breaks
• USP
* Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & Drink
* Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• Skiers
• Non Skiers
• Best Thing
• Worst Thing
• Getting There
• Bottom Line
• Bookings & Enquiries
more information
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0)7772 853996
guest book
"After my last chalet holiday I vowed I would never stay in a chalet again or ski in France again. Having stayed in Chalet Royale, I retract everything. The only chalet in France that I will ever stay in is this one. 10/10 for everything. Great staff."
“I have spent a wonderful seven days – this must be the most beautiful place in the world. The hospitality was perfect, the food was out of this world. Heartfelt thanks to everyone for all the care you have given us during our stay.”
summer
Open on a self-catered basis.
See which other chalets are open in the summer.
ski weekends
Chalet Royale offer ski weekends and short breaks where available.
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