An independent guide to luxury ski chalets worldwide
Light airy contemporary chalet
with stunning panoramic views
usp
Chalet Saphir, which is run by a company whose English owners have been resident in the Chamonix valley for seven years, is a well thought out contemporary chalet. It can provide either a relaxing retreat for a family skiing holiday or the perfect venue for a group that wishes to party in fabulous surroundings. The level of service and luxury can be tailored to suit, from the uncatered ‘freedom to choose’ package through to the fully catered ‘VIP’, with the option to add extras to either and build your perfect chalet holiday.
location
Located in Les Tines up the valley from Chamonix in a quiet position of semi woodland away from the main road, Chalet Saphir benefits from being set apart from its neighbours and not overlooked. The chalet looks down the valley, with views from the finger of the Dru to the Chamonix Aiguilles, the Aiguilles de Midi, Mont Blanc in the distance and right round to Brévent. The chalet is well situated for accessing all the skiing that the valley has to offer, with no ski area more than 10 minutes drive away. Chamonix itself is just four minutes down the road by car.
style
Avant-garde meets Savoyard. Sympathetic to its alpine surroundings and built very much with the views in mind, this contemporary chalet fuses traditional stone and wooden beams with steel and glass. Double height windows and sliding doors coupled with high ceilings in the living room create a light, airy space that immerses you in the landscape. The suspended hand-built steel fireplace reflects the drama of the surrounding mountains while the blend of predominantly modern furnishings, with alpine touches, softens and comforts. A thick bleached tree trunk supports a steel spiral staircase through the three levels of the chalet and sculptural lighting arrangements greet you on the upper level. Large south and west facing terraces and balconies extend out from the chalet. ^
rooms
There are six comfortable but relatively small bedrooms, each with their own balcony or terrace and views, flat screen television and iPod dock. Each is stylishly themed with hand printed wallpaper from either Osborne & Little or Cole & Son – the butterfly room is particularly delightful. All rooms are en suite, bathrobes and slippers are provided in the large built-in wardrobes whose interiors light up as you open them. The bathrooms are sleekly tiled in either dark slate or a lighter grey. Toiletries supplied are from L’Occitane. ^
food & drink
The operators of Chalet Saphir encourage a pre arrival menu consultation with the chef to ensure all tastes are catered for, with bespoke menus of four to six courses devised in advance. Almost any gourmet whim can be catered for, from a sushi banquet, to traditional Savoyard fare. The chef, Hervé, personally sources local produce where possible and uses his wealth of contacts to get hold of less readily available ingredients. Dishes are well presented, such as artfully arranged tempura prawns suspended over a bowl of fish and crab soup with a fluffy lemon mousse delicately floating atop – stunning!
Pre-dinner canapés are accompanied with the house champagne, Champagne De Gastinière, and the wine served with dinner includes carefully selected regional whites and reds. A comprehensive a la carte menu of international wines is also available and a wine tasting can be arranged. An open bar operates with a range of spirits, beers and soft drinks. Breakfast again is down to guest choice, but Hervé’s fresh fruit smoothies and pancakes are recommended. For the slopes, a daily ski pack of bottles of water, chocolate and tissues is provided and when you arrive back from skiing, afternoon tea with freshly baked cakes awaits you.
The non catered ‘freedom to choose’ package includes a champagne reception on arrival. You can also opt to have the fridge stocked for you prior to arrival. ^
service
The staff are friendly and attentive but when guests want their own space they are unobtrusive in carrying out their duties. They take guests’ demanding requests in their stride and usually have an array of alternative ideas and options where requests can’t be met. ^
spa facilities
There is a sauna area, an outdoor Jacuzzi and a treatment room with a full range of beauty treatments and types of massage on offer, from reiki to reflexology, hot stones to yoga pilates. There is also the chance for additional mini pampering for under 16s so younger members of your family can enjoy some me-time too, including soft relaxing treatments such as a half hour mini facial or a soothing half hour back or neck and shoulder massage followed by nails and toes painting from a range of fun colours. ^
children
Children are well looked after with a good range of toys and games in the TV/playroom including Playstation and Wii. The chalet will supply cots and high-chairs, and are happy to provide lunch and supper for children at a time of your choosing. They can arrange live-in or part-time nannies as well as babysitting, but if you bring your own nanny and fill the chalet your nanny can stay for free. Babysitting is free on the nights you eat out. Children under 16 are entitled to free ski and boot hire as well as lift passes and children aged three to 12 can have free ski school with the VIP package. ^
extras
The chalet boasts a gym with running and cycling machines plus a freeweights area and climbing wall. The spacious TV room has massive sofas and UK satellite television. There is wi-fi throughout and an office desk on the mezzanine, with printer. Secretarial services can even be arranged. The VIP package comes with dedicated luxury chauffeured transport at your disposal, daily and in the evenings. ^
for skiers
Chamonix offers a range of terrain for all levels of skier but is a mecca for the more experienced skier who wants to access its vast areas of off piste. Saphir can arrange guides to suit all levels of ability and ski instruction through Prestige Outdoor Services. You can go heli skiing across the border into Italy or take a helicopter transfer to ski and lunch in other resorts such as La Plagne, Val d’Isère. Tignes and Megève. ^
for non skiers
Relaxing in Chalet Saphir for some could be enough – it has plenty of space, with sunny terraces and the spa facilities. Then there is Chamonix for some boutique shopping, but all sorts of other activities can be arranged. There are hot springs trips through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Pré St Didier in Courmayeur, local heli sightseeing excursions, snow shoeing on the Mer de Glace, skidoo adventures and husky sledding sessions. ^
best thing
Drinking in the mountain landscape through the vast windows while luxuriating in front of the fire. And Hervé’s menus. ^
worst thing
With under floor heating throughout, the chalet can be slightly too warm, but this may suit those who love being really toasty. ^
getting there
Private transfers to and from Geneva airport, just over an hour away, are included with the VIP package price. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged and the journey takes about 30 minutes. ^
bottom line
Saphir sleeps up to 12 and is only available as a full chalet let. Prices start from around £1339 per person per week for the VIP package. The chalet is also offered self catered with the ‘freedom to choose’ package and prices start at £583 per person. ^
bookings & enquiries
If you would like to make an enquiry or a booking, please email enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk. We will answer any questions you have or put you in touch with the operator. 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 - 7
Food & Drink - 9
Luxury - 8
Be sure to request Hervé as your chef for your stay (he isn’t necessarily assigned to Saphir all the time): he is utterly charming and passionate about the food he serves. And do wear the complimentary slippers. While it might be nice to pad about barefoot on the lovely new warm floorboards, the wood hasn’t worn enough to stop the odd splinter catching an unsuspecting toe.
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
• Other chalets in this resort
Bookings and enquiries: enquiries at chicchaletguide.co.uk Telephone:
+44 (0) 7956 993830
guest book
"A truly memorable Christmas for our family at Chalet Saphir. The perfect mix of relaxation, fine cuisine and excellent skiing. Spoilt completely by Hervé – wish we could take him home."
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