Grand Hôtel des Alpes

Like a scene lifted straight out of a picture book, the historic 1840 Grand Hotel des Alpes towers over the quaint plaza below. Inside, the hotel feels immediately upscale and inviting, with gorgeous wood floors, marble pillars, and linen drapes. There are plenty of places to sit and relax on several classic couches while chairs with throw pillows sit amid antique lamps and ornate tables. The same rich vibe extends through the hotel’s bar, a popular hangout for hotel guests, who are mostly couples, though a few families also pass through.

Situated right in the middle of Chamonix, France’s quintessential Alpine town, the hotel sits along the pedestrian streets that make up the quaint town center. There are dozens of restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and bars to be found in any direction on foot.
The North Face store is a three-minute walk up the block for any guests who may have forgotten cold-weather gear. Mountains are the main draw here and there are several day hikes and treks in the area. The Montenvers train station to Mer de Glace, which has spectacular views of the surrounding summits, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, though the glacier at the top has been receding in recent years. There are four major ski domaines, around Chamonix, including Brevent, a 30-minute drive out of town, and Les Houches, which is great for families (about a 15-minute drive outside of town by car or free shuttle). The closest international airport is in Geneva, Switzerland, a little over an hour away by car.

All rooms include flat-screen TVs, DVD players, safes, mini-fridges with
minibars, and ample closet and storage space. Bathrooms are spacious and gorgeous, covered in marble, with large vanities, toiletries, plush towels, and bathtub/shower combos with
antique-style fixtures. Guests should keep in mind that rooms with town views (overlooking the Brevent Range and the pedestrian streets below) can be noisy at night, even on higher floors.

There are many features to love at this upscale hotel, including an excellent breakfast with a large selection of traditional continental options as well as eggs and meats, though it isn’t included with any booking. On warm days, breakfast can be taken on the outdoor terrace with excellent views of the surrounding mountains. The hotel
has an extensive spa area, including a heated, indoor pool surrounded by marble tiles, hot tub, sauna, and steam room as well as a selection of traditional spa and massage services in a tranquil, luxurious setting. There is a warm, richly decorated hotel bar on-site with gorgeous carpets, couches and neutral-toned armchairs, plenty of oak paneling, and marble pillars. It’s a great place to unwind with a cocktail after a day exploring the mountains around Chamonix, and the hotel also offers afternoon canapes, coffee, and tea.

The hotel has a collection of DVDs for in-room guest use and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. There are conference rooms available on site as well with full audiovisual services as well as on-site garage parking. The hotel has a secure ski room on-site for guests bringing their own equipment and sells ski passes on site. Additionally there is a free shuttle with advance reservation to the slopes, and airport transfers can be arranged.