Nestled in a pine tree forest off Chamonix, Les Chalets de Philippe offer the chance for the ultimate winter escape
We discovered Les Chalets de Philippe. this group of fairy-tale chalets at a dreamy landscape, on our way to Chamonix, during our Christmas holidays in the Alps. We had an amazing gourmet lunch while listening to the story of the hotel from its charming owner, Philippe.
But let’s take it from the beginning. So, here we are at a picturesque small village, after two days of really bad weather that had made us stay inside and in the mood of discovering amazing new places. It was exactly the kind of place you want to get off the car and take pictures, which of course we did!
The place had a little sign that read “Les Chalets de Philippe”. We got a little lost on the slope and then some magic happened. We spotted a series of fairy – tale chalets hidden in the trees. This small, parallel winter paradise cast a spell on us and made us want to stay there and see more of it!
The landscape was not the only thing that seduced us. A cozy, decorated in alpine- chic style lounge and a dining table with impressive art de la table (crystal glasses, plates and trays made by local artisans as we found out afterwards) awaited us inside the main chalet that serves also as a reception. This is because that staying at Les Chalets de Philippe comes with a unique gastronomic experience. Meals are prepared by the chef of the house, at an open kitchen, in front of guests.
And you guessed right. We stayed for lunch, enjoying not only a delicious lobster bisque and a rose-flavoured panacotta but also a vivid chatwith Philippe. Philippe Courtines revealed to us his inspiring story about the making of Les Chalets and also some of the star names that have stayed there (Sophie Marceau and Kylie Minogue among them).
Working at the music industry, Philippe arrived in this area of Chamonix in 1983 and decided to buy the empty slope, a true natural mountain balcony with uninterrupted views to Mont-Blanc. A collection of wooden chalets were then acquired from across the Alps and delicately transported to the slope. Since then, Philippe who has personally curated the meticulous decoration of each one of the chalets, hasn’t stopped accumulating antique objects and furniture from all over the local region, in order to add them to the rooms.
The chalets come in every size, from Le Clopet – a compact nest for two – to La Grand Jorasses, which sleeps 13. From the hand-embroidered bed linen to the outdoor hot tubs and Hermes toiletries, amazing and luxurious details are to be found everywhere.
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
