To escape the summer heat, there's nothing like heading to the mountains. In summer, the mountains offer unparalleled views, family hikes, wellness moments for disconnecting, and gourmet dining experiences. All this and more can be found at these exceptional addresses that reach for the sky.
CHALET D’ADRIEN
In 1903, Baron Adrien de Turckheim, an automobile pilot and manufacturer, fell in love with Valais. It took a century for one of his descendants, Brigitte de Gastines-Cachart, to realize his dream: building a chalet in this little corner of Switzerland, an ideal hotel for summer mountain vacations near the famous Swiss resort of Verbier. Lausanne is just 1h15 by train from this Relais & Châteaux. Wood-paneled walls, red cushions, saffron armchairs, green or gray tartan on some headboards: the 29 keys of this 5-star hotel are true cocoons, including the perfect apartment for a family.
At mealtime, head to Le Grenier for traditional cuisine or La Table d'Adrien, with its Michelin star and a terrace offering one of the best views in Verbier. Chef Sebastiano Lombardi delights with dishes that span from Italy to Valais, showcasing local products beautifully. During the day in summer, head out for a day of hiking or biking: the chef even prepares your picnic. Upon return, relax in the pool, heated year-round, before enjoying the spa with Clarins treatments. Tomorrow, indulge in the Sunday brunch before exploring the Chemin du Vignoble and stopping for a tasting with a winemaker. Le Chalet d'Adrien, 91 Route des Creux, Verbier. More information on this hotel.
Le Chalet d'Adrien, 91, route des Creux, Verbier. More information about this hotel.
GRANDES ROUSSES HÔTEL & SPA
At 1830 meters above sea level in L’Alpe d’Huez, facing the Oisans massif, this establishment shines with its 5 stars, welcoming you for summer mountain vacations. Owner Patricia Grelot-Collomb has envisioned it as a family home, where people love to gather in both winter and summer. 95 keys, 2 chalets, 3 lofts: each guest finds their ideal option, with many combinations thanks to connecting or duplex rooms. Wood and red, wool and white, animal skins and gray create a decor as warm as it is contemporary, occasionally enlivened by very colorful touches.
On the food side, L’Espérance offers barely-revisited mountain classics, while La Ferme d’Hubert presents a more sophisticated menu based on short supply chains. Not to mention Les Mas’Hauts, charming wooden and glass cabins where cheese reigns supreme, and Aux Grands Rouges, a bar for gourmet snacks to share… or not! Don't miss the Spa des Alpes, which takes the expertise of Alpinothérapie® to new heights, a unique concept developed by the owner in association with myBlend. Seven treatment rooms, cryotherapy and sensory pool, copper bathtubs, and experiential showers; the spa opens onto an indoor pool and an outdoor pool accessible to children. The establishment is Famille Plus certified: VIP welcome and dedicated playroom, workshops, and adapted menus for children. Grandes Rousses Hôtel & Spa, 425 Route du Signal, Alpe d’Huez. More information on this hotel.
Grandes Rousses Hotel & Spa, 425, Route du Signal, Alpe d'Huez. More information about this hotel.
ARMANCETTE
Nestled in the heart of the hamlet of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, 15 minutes from the Saint-Gervais resort, this refuge is part of the Almae Collection, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Behind its charming facade, designed by architect Gilles Grandjacques, lies an atmosphere brimming with character. Natural stone and marble, furniture from famous Italian designers, fireplaces in some rooms, balconies or terraces in all; the 19 rooms, ranging from 25 to 57 m², are all unique, offering views of the village or the Dômes de Miage.
Designed for family stays, the hotel offers rooms or suites accommodating up to six people and three chalets with dormitories for children, with access to hotel services like the spa with Kos Paris products, featuring a hammam and sauna, three whirlpools, and a heated indoor/outdoor pool with incredible views. Two restaurants, two ambiances, one chef, Fabien Laprée: cross the street to enjoy hearty specialties at Mont Joly or settle in at the promising gourmet restaurant La Table d'Armante. There's also a bakery/tearoom with a great reputation. By the way, the hotel's name comes from a nearby glacier.
Armancette, 1088, Route de Saint-Nicolas, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains. For more information about this hotel.
HÔTEL CARLINA
Perched at over 2,000 meters in the Belle Plagne sector, this address from the Les Étincelles collection is well-known. Designed as a very large chalet, all in wood and stone, it houses 46 unique rooms, some of which are connecting: light wood, n.Ki organic toiletries in the bathrooms, and balconies for admiring the peaks. The mountain codes are present but not excessive.
For a peaceful family vacation, there are five apartments and three other chalets available. What stands out about the two restaurants? The well-sourced products selected by Chef Thibault Schach through short supply chains. For lunch, enjoy a well-cooked dish on the sunny terrace of La Table du Carlina, and in the evening, opt for L’Ercheu and its mountain specialties. Finally, the Pure Altitude brand offers treatments at the spa, which opens up to a superb panorama: whirlpool, sauna, hammam, fitness room, indoor pool, and solarium. After a day of hiking, linger at the bar to watch the sun set over the peaks. Hôtel Carlina, La Plagne-Tarentaise. More information on this hotel.
Hôtel Carlina, La Plagne-Tarentaise. More information about this hotel.
