Le Saint Joseph in Courchevel

By Jessamyn Embry

As published in Art du Voyage’s Travel Notes, January 2007

Within the ambience of a luxurious country house, guests of Le Saint Joseph have four-star luxury service at their disposal every moment of the day. Its eleven rooms and three apartments each have their own individual style, with fabrics, paintings and antiques that have been hand-picked from the best of Paris, Lyon and Naples.

Guests seeking a cozy and relaxed atmosphere might prefer the rooms “under the roofs” which have an atmosphere reminiscent of a family home and bathrooms in “the old style”. A stay in the Directoire Suite is a dream. Its shimmering red and gold fabrics harmonize perfectly with its super soft sofas, an immense canopied bed and polished floors. For large groups, two duplex apartments are available, with four bedrooms each, as well as saunas, Jacuzzis and private entrance and exit direct to the street.

The gourmet restaurant, “Le Hussard”, is the perfect place to warm yourself with a hot chocolate on your return from skiing or to savor a delicious dinner. Guests looking for a change from the traditional can try the hotel’s second restaurant, The Grand Café, featuring exceptional Thai Cuisine, before heading back out to the hustle and bustle of Courchevel, is a dream. Its shimmering red and gold fabrics harmonize perfectly with its super soft sofas, an immense canopied bed and polished floors. For large groups, two duplex apartments are available, with four bedrooms each, as well as saunas, Jacuzzis and private entrance and exit direct to the street. The gourmet restaurant, “Le Hussard”, is the perfect place to warm yourself with a hot chocolate on your return from skiing or to savor a delicious dinner. Guests looking for a change from the traditional can try the hotel’s second restaurant, The Grand Café, featuring exceptional Thai Cuisine, before heading back out to the hustle and bustle of Courchevel.

Le Chabichou in Courchevel

By Jessamyn Embry

For those seeking the good life, Le Chabichou is the place to stay. Just a stone’s throw from the ski runs, its wooden gingerbread décor give it a homey, intimate ambience, but there is no denying that this is a luxury hotel. It’s a true ski-in/ski-out hotel and passes, skis and boards can be purchased or rented directly from the concierge.

Along with its superb location, charm, and comfort, the shining beacon of this hotel is Michel Rochedy’s two-Michelin-star restaurant which offers the best of traditional Savoyard cuisine with just a pinch of the exotic. For those who want to make their gustatory experience just a little more unforgettable, Rochedy offers cooking classes every Thursday morning.

As published in Art du Voyage’s Travel Notes, January 2007

Le Lana in Courchevel

By Jessamyn Embry

For those who want to be at the center of it all, there’s no better hotel than Le Lana. Established in 1958, it was the first hotel built specifically for the Courchevel resort. Today it is a 4-star luxury hotel with direct access to the slopes. With a terrific central location, it is the ideal accommodation for the winter sports enthusiast or for those hoping to explore the town (and shops) of Courchevel. Its 57 rooms have views of snow covered mountains. Each of the hotel’s luxurious 19 suites includes a jacuzzi (essential after a hard day on the mountain) and a view of the slopes. With a location this good, families can rest assured that everyone will be on time for dinner watching them coast down the mountain at the end of the day. And dinner at the gourmet Saint Nicolas is definitely not to be missed. In a land where one can easily ski 60 miles in one day, comfort is key and the onsite Spa Lana offers every service necessary to soothe your body and mind and get you ready for the next day.

As published in Art du Voyage’s Travel Notes, January 2007

Alpine Paradise

By Jessamyn Embry

Imagine standing on an alpine peak with Italy to your left, Switzerland to your right and 385 miles of skiing heaven laid out beneath you. With over 185 lifts in a network of trails three times larger than the biggest American resorts, it’s easy to see why Courchevel is considered the premiere winter resort of Europe… if not the world.

With that much territory to offer, it doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a double-diamond pro. There’s plenty of room for everyone and plenty of assistance too. Courchevel is home to Europe’s biggest ski school with 500 instructors and mountain guides ready to show you the slopes. On a routine day you can ski or board down one mountain, cruise down a second (stopping for lunch on the sundeck of an on-mountain restaurant) and coast contentedly down a third.
But the charm of the Three Valleys doesn’t end on the slopes. It was, after all, the French who invented après-ski and in the Alps eating is as important as skiing. For the gourmand, there is the 2-star Michelin restaurant, Le Chabichou as well as a host of exceptional traditional Savoyard restaurants. After dinner enjoy a stroll past the skating rink, see what’s playing at the resort’s three cinemas, or buy a little something special at one of the 150 shops that call Courchevel home. When the living is this good, you’ll want to call it home too.

As published in Art du Voyage’s Travel Notes – January 2007