This season Emma from ALS Ski was lucky enough to spend a night at Le Refuge de Solaise in Val d’Isere.
Perched at 2,551m and looking down over the busy resort below, Le Refuge is a total haven in a magnificently peaceful spot, set overlooking Val d'Isere. This is France’s highest hotel and feels like the ultimate mountain escape.
Formerly a lift station with its original lift entrance glassed over and converted to bedrooms, there is no road access to the hotel during the winter months. While it is busy with lunchtime guests during the day it feels remote from the outside world by night after the lifts close, with a romantically cosy ambience combined with 5* luxury.
Rooms, suites and dormitories are modern yet inspired by traditional design, and the hotel boasts an exemplary restaurant and spa, with a 25m metre pool.
The whole experience from start to finish was seamless. We (my husband, baby and I) were met at the base of the gondola by their efficient and friendly team, our car taken to a parking spot by the hotel’s valet service and our bags whisked up to the hotel for us.
We were issued with a pedestrian pass to journey up the hotel in the Solaise lift. The hotel can organise ski passes, onsite boot fitting, airport transfers, babysitting and a shopping service for apartments as well as endless activities.
On arrival we were greeted with a complimentary drink of our choice and enjoyed lunch on the sunny terrace before checking into our room at 3pm.
For lunch service you can eat at the main restaurant Gigi Val d’Isere (with a stunning mountain panorama in every window) - or Le Petit Refuge which offers homemade pizzas and several pasta recipes in the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere of the slope restaurant from 12 - 3pm.
Access to the hotel is only via the gondola so once this has closed you really feel you are in your own private retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the resort - like you are on top of the world!
We were kindly hosted in a World Cup Room (link below) which I can safely say was one of the most perfect rooms I have ever stayed in. Incredibly spacious, with a king sized bed, a gorgeous bath at one end looking out over the mountain-scape, separate shower room and bathroom at the other end and a lovely living area.
Le Refuge’s 16 bedrooms all have sweeping alpine panoramas.
View from our room
There are also four gorgeous apartments, sleeping between four and 18 people, while the inviting dormitory sleeps 14, with double and single bunk beds, two bathrooms and lockers.
All of the rooms are decked out with reclaimed wood, exposed stonework, plush furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Le Refuge can be enjoyed as a romantic escape, a spot on the mountain for the committed/adventurous skiers (as you have direct access to the mountain before the lifts open) and is also fantastic to visit with families.
There's a large children’s playroom with a cinema screen and beanbags - our 1 year old son enjoyed the pool immensely, as well as his little slippers and spa robe which were seriously cute! The chef provided a lovely early evening meal for him and there is a delicious kids menu for lunch as well as lunch activities during school holidays for kids.
There is a beginners ski area outside the hotel so it’s also a perfect ski base for young families with little ones wanting to play around on skis in a safe environment. The hotel were very accommodating for our requirements with a small person.
The low-lit spa is a stand-out feature. It has four treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna and an impressively long 25m indoor pool - with unrivalled views across the mountains. We could have stayed there for a long time!
As the sun set over the surrounding mountains we enjoyed cocktails at the bar where they provide an aperitif until 6pm before moving onto dinner at Gigi from 7pm.
The restaurant Gigi Val d'Isère provides something for all palates (delicious Savoyard and Italian inspired dishes, complemented by an extensive wine list) with an incredible backdrop behind it looking out over the valley.
Sunset and sunrise from the hotel was spectacular, with a unique and different vista from down in the resort - not to mention the stars.
Finally breakfast was a sight to behold, with an amazing spread served in the stunning main restaurant. You can then hit the slopes before everyone else as you are up the mountain already (although sadly we couldn’t this time with a baby person in tow!)
One night here really made our holiday and Le Refuge has something for everyone.
Le Refuge de Solaise is accessible via the gondola Solaise Express between 9am and 4:30pm each day, with the exception of Wednesdays and Sundays, where it will open from 7pm to 10:45pm, allowing guests to head into the town during the evening.
Winter low season price from €550 per night in a Competition Room (sleeps 2), including breakfast.
Winter high season price from: €750 per night in a Competition Room (sleeps 2), including breakfast.
Words by Emma Woodward
Client Account Director at ALS Ski