Hotel Mont-Blanc

French architect Sybille de Margerie gave this Chamonix valley chalet a modern makeover, transforming the 1849 alpine building into a modern hotel. The outside retains a classic look, its snow-white exterior decorated with blue shutters, while the inside mixes it up with pops with color and accent lighting. A revolving door opens into a formal reception hall with checkerboard marble floors, which leads to a warm lobby lounge centered around an old fireplace. The architectural focal point is the central staircase, with decoratively tiled landings and wrought-iron banisters winding up around a four-story lighting installation, made of hanging illuminated white globes. 

Centrally located in Chamonix, France’s quintessential Alpine town, Hotel Mont-Blanc is on a pedestrian-friendly street next to the tourism office. There are dozens of restaurants, boutiques, cafes, and bars to be found in any direction on foot. A North Face store is a three-minute walk for any guests who may have forgotten cold-weather gear, while Michelin-star Le Bistrot is a five-minute walk across the river. 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 an eight-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 family-friendly Les Houches, about a 15-minute drive outside of town by car or hotel shuttle. The closest international airport is in Geneva, Switzerland, a little over an hour away by car.

Inspired by the hotel's elemental surroundings in the Chamonix valley, the 40 rooms are decorated largely in warm earthy tones with wood accents. The lighted, frosted-glass partitions break up the natural harmony somewhat, providing partial views into the bathrooms, but the rest of the design is unobtrusively stylish. Original details such as vaulted ceilings and large exposed beams can be found in many rooms, and some have small Juliet balconies. Views vary, but all have at least partial mountain views. Small sitting areas and desks come standard with minibars and flat-screen TVs, but there are no coffeemakers. The bathrooms have heated towel racks, soaking tubs, and tiled walk-in showers. Upgraded Prestige units have unique carved-wood panel walls and large sitting areas with couches. 

Features of the Mont-Blanc include a year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, both with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. Guests can enter via a small indoor room that connects to the rest of the pool by a channel cut in the wall. Spa Clarins houses a small modern fitness room and provides the usual range of massages, facials, lifts and scrubs. There's also a sauna and steam room, along with a relaxation room for taking in the views with a smoothie or hot tea. The lounge bar has a small food menu, with regional charcuterie along with a few sandwiches. It's separated by from the main restaurant, Le Matafan, a beautiful wall made of cut logs. The restaurant features a bar area and a formal dining room with a central fireplace. The menu focuses on local and seasonal ingredients and offers dishes such as sea bream ceviche, lamb loin in thyme juice, and a gnocchi with Mont-Blanc snails.