Courchevel 1850 Hotel Hits Palatial Heights

Are you watching the Winter Olympics from South Korea? These inspiring snow warriors are a great reminder that the winter sports season is far from over. If a luxury chalet is more your style than athletes’ village then take a look at Hotel Les Airelles, the wonderful luxury hotel in Courchevel 1850, in the world’s largest ski area, where top quality snow sports are still on the agenda as late as the 3 Vallées Enduro race on 1^st April.

The full name of this outstanding property is Les Airelles Palace, and that’s an important distinction for a hotel that is designed to remind one of the great castles and country lodges of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and promises an imperial level of luxury, intimacy and authenticity. It also puts the property in the elusive French Palace class – a group of only 22 hotels.

Just as important as the imposing exteriors is where the Les Airelles is. You can ski in and out from the Jardin Alpin slopes, which puts you in the perfect place to start skiing, especially if there are beginners or youngsters in your party. Inside, the Imperial Age glamour continues to shine – originally inspired by the tragic Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Plush scarlets and purple upholstery stands out against gold moldings, rich dark timbers, tiled floors, stained-glass windows and opulent chandelier lighting in public areas. The theme runs too to the uniforms of the staff, who get stellar reviews not just for their style, but their friendly dedication to perfect service.

Despite the imposing size of the palatial Les Airelles, it remains an exclusive retreat in the midst of one of Europe’s most exciting resorts.

There are just 37 rooms, 13 suites, and a huge (550m2) apartment, all echoing the mix of historical design, timeless elegance and comfort, and the latest technological developments. If you want to feel like a prince or princess, then these rooms – with their perfect Alpine views – are the way to make your fairy tale fantasies come true. There’s a wonderful offering for children here, including their own ice rink, games room, tree house and menus. While the youngsters get the healthy food they need, adult dining is a little more sophisticated. There are four restaurants.

On sunny days buffet breakfasts and lunches at „Le Festin“ can be enjoyed al fresco, while „Piero TT“ offers French-Italian dining with menus created by chef Pierre Gagnaire alongside Riccardo Valore, and „Le Coin Savoyard“ focuses on local flavors, and mountain-style wood-fire cooking, enjoyed in a genuine carnotzet – essentially a small private dining room. At „La Table des Airelles“ a dedicated team chooses a different theme each evening while at lunchtime the restaurant is transformed into a feast worthy of the name – using organic and locally sourced products to make warm, enticing gastronomy in a beautiful setting.

No luxury ski hotel is complete without a top quality spa and you can lose yourself in a multi-sensory experience designed by La Mer at Le Palace Les Airelles. A huge range of treatments and treats takes in personal sports coaching, beauty, wellness, cryotherapy, and osteopathy, with a waterfall, snow cave and indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths bringing natural beauty to the best beauty and spa treatments.

Courchevel 1850 is the highest altitude and chicest of the family of resorts at the heart of the enormous 3 Vallees ski area. Everyone from Russia’s oligarchs to William and Kate and Bollywood royalty Sussanne Khan loves to ski here.

Oh, and if you’re still in the Winter Olympics mood then ski jumping is a Courchevel favorite, the ice rink is Olympic size and the 3 Vallées sent 11 athletes to Pyeongchang, including ski bronze medalist Alexis Pinturault. This place is a serious ski resort!

You can find many more luxury hotels, chalets and apartments at Finest Holidays. And we have the expertise to help you design your whole luxury travel experience, with a full concierge service. Check out our portfolio and be sure to give us a call to discuss your plans on +34 661 71 80 61.