Les Fermes de Marie

Les Fermes de Marie is a luxury Alpine property overflowing with Haute-Savoie charm from top to bottom. The
chalet-style architecture is lovely in every detail, and the hotel smells
like fresh pine and warm fires. Les Fermes is a nine-building complex, and a stay here feels like a getaway in a private lodge, rather than a hotel. The property is filled with stone, rustic wooden
beams, at least one fur lampshade, and a few select pieces of locally sourced
taxidermy hanging on the walls. In addition to the antelope heads, the walls
are hung with black-and-white photographs of cattle and picturesque mountain
scenes, and there are cool, quirky collections on display,
including authentic cowbells, ceramic pitchers, leather-bound books, and funky but
fabulous antiques. The vibe is cozy and secluded, and guests can find plenty of
nooks and crannies in which to enjoy an apres-ski cocktail or mulled wine. The stylishly worn leather lobby sofas are inviting, and the
lighting is warm and low. The spa carries the same luxe rustic aesthetic, with
plenty of wood and river rocks, and white birch tree trunks as wall treatments
throughout. Even the kids' club is thoughtfully decorated, with polka dot mushroom tables, and
a cozy vibe that would tempt some adults to a game of foosball. Les
Fermes de Marie is the ultimate ski hotel, yet even without the skiing, this high-end property has serious appeal for the many couples who visit, as well as families.

Les Fermes de Marie is a 10-minute walk from the center of the Haute-Savoie town of Megeve, where guests can visit the Megeve Museum, ride the Chamois Gondola up the mountains, go shopping, or ski. The hotel runs a shuttle to town, but the ski slopes are an easy walk from the hotel, which provides equipment storage and a pro shop. The Megeve Sports Centre, which offers cross-country skiing, ice skating, and much more, is 15 minutes from Les Fermes. The hotel can be difficult to find the first time; guests should be sure to have good directions or a GPS. The closest airport is actually over the Swiss border in Geneva, an 80-minute drive from the hotel.

Rooms at Les Fermes de Marie are picturesque
and charming; each feels like an individual Alpine chalet with traditional (but
high-end) Haute-Savoie woodwork, beamed ceilings, warm fabrics, and fun
rustic touches, including barrel lamp bases, cow photographs, and checked or plaid accents. The tendency at these quaint lodges is to fill them to bursting with tchotchkes, but this hotel's rooms retain a handsome sense of style, with rich bedding and sharp antique pieces like the desk we saw in the Red Room that we visited. While most rooms are spacious, some can be cramped -- the smallest rooms on site come in at only 12 square meters of space (22 square feet). Room features include flat-screen TVs with cable channels and pay movies, DVD players, minibars (in most), safes, and free Wi-Fi. Many rooms have
private balconies with stunning mountain views, and suites and chalets with multiple rooms are available. Bathrooms are nothing short
of spectacular; these large spaces have slate or granite floors, raised sinks with contemporary fixtures, shower/tub combos, high-end toiletries, and sit-down makeup vanities in many. Some rooms have separate showers and tubs. Light sleepers should be aware that rooms near reception, and those
that open onto a common lounge area, tend to be noisier. 

Les Fermes de Marie features several
restaurants, including La Salle a Manger, which offers extravagant dinners each evening, dedicated to specific ingredients such as truffles. The Alpin Restaurant
is open only during the winter months and serves Alpine specialties featuring
cheese, as well as rotisserie meats. Le Traditionnel serves local, seasonal
ingredients, mostly cooked in the oven, and pays special attention to foods
that boost energy and fitness, as the hotel hosts a large number of skiers and other
athletic types. The hotel bar is a cozy spot for drinks, and while breakfast is offered, it is not included with bookings.Pure
Altitude Spa is a top notch day spa offering a wide variety of
treatments, including prenatal and hot stone massage, reflexology, Ayurveda,
scrubs, wraps, facials, and more. The spa has indoor and outdoor saunas and hot
tubs, a steam room, and sells a line of indulgent products. The hotel has a gorgeous indoor lap pool, lit beautifully, with picture windows
and mountain views. The fitness center is equipped with cardio machines and
free weights, as well as a heavy bag for boxers. The kids' club, Le Hameau des
Enfants, is not free, but there is a dedicated kids concierge, and the
facility includes a dining room, computer stations, classes in arts and crafts,
gardening, clowning, and field trips. Cooking lessons are offered to both kids
and adults, and twice a week there is a fondue-making lesson. The hotel’s gift
shop sells wine, area crockery and other crafts, luxe blankets, and the hotel’s
own cookbook. Wi-Fi is free throughout.