Expert guide to Courchevel
Of Courchevel’s six villages, Courchevel (also known as 1850) has by far the biggest selection of hotels. The resort has a wide choice of five-star establishments of which a clutch of the most exceptional have been awarded France’s prestigious and relatively rare accolade of “palace” status. These top hotels, and the ultra-luxurious chalets lining the pistes can cost upwards of £1,000 per person per night at peak times.
There are also comfortable options lower down. The four-star, ski-in/ski-out L’Ecrin Blanc opened for 2019/20 is close to the Aquamotion watersports centre just below Courchevel Moriond, and linked to 1850 by a chairlift and blue run. But while accommodation in all of the villages can be pricey, as a general rule, staying in one of the lower villages can usually help to reduce costs.
For those on a budget, there are a few options, however self-catering apartments are available as well as some good-value catered chalets from UK tour operators.
Hotels
Les Peupliers
The four-star Peupliers is in Courchevel Le Praz (1300), on the edge of the old village and a short stroll from the lifts. Flat-topped and box shaped but smartly decorated in traditional style inside and out, it has been in the same family for three generations and offers adequate bedrooms, friendly staff, a cosy bar, a highly rated restaurant and a sauna, steam room and hot tub.
Price:££
L’Apogée
This trendy five-star hotel in Courchevel 1850 is near the first station of the Jardin Alpin gondola. L’Apogée is ski-in/ski-out, has stunning views over the valley and a chic atmosphere. There are 53 spacious suites and rooms, two topnotch restaurants serving French or Japanese food, and a big spa and fitness centre with pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, salt cave, gym and treatments.
Price: £££
Hotel Barrière Les Neiges
With 42 rooms and suites decorated in luxurious mountain chalet style (exposed wood, furry throws and warm lighting) the five-star Barrière Les Neiges in Courchevel 1850 (another of Courchevel’s “palace” status hotels) has an excellent, slope side location. Argentinian food is served at B Fire and classic French cuisine at brasserie-style Fouquet’s. The ski room is particularly deluxe with banquette seating and a very efficient team on hand to help with equipment.
Price: £££
La Loze
A four-star hotel, La Loze has a superb position at the foot of the pistes in the centre of Courchevel 1850. Decor is chalet-style, with carved wooden balconies and murals on the walls, and there’s a cosy and comfortable lounge and bar, plus a sauna and steam room. The hotel is very small, and popular, so early booking is advisable.
Price:££
Aman Le Melezin
Located in Courchevel 1850, Aman Le Melezin has smart rooms and and topnotch service. Half board rates include the option to dine at a choice of restaurants including the hotel’s NAMA for Japanese cooking, or out at Le Chalet de Pierres, a French restaurant on the slopes, and Piero TT for Pierre Gagnaire’s Italian cuisine.
Price: £££
Book it: From €800, not including travel, with Aman.
Credit:
Daniel Herendi/Daniel Herendi
Portetta
A very smart four-star right at the foot of the slopes in Moriond (1650), Portetta has a terrace and outdoor bar heated by flaming torches and blazing fire pits. It is owned by a British company but retains a distinctly French feel. The rooms and lounge are very comfortable, and there’s also a spa with sauna, steam room and treatments. Its restaurant, Cucina Angelina, has Michelin-starred chef Angela Hartnett at the helm.
Price: ££
Book it: From €440, not including travel, with Portetta.
Le Chabichou
Bought in 1963 as a modest nine-bedroom chalet, Le Chabichou is now one of Courchevel’s classic five-star hotels, with its distinctive white building right on the slopes. It has 41 sumptuous bedrooms and suites, a two Michelin-star restaurant, an 1100sqm spa area (the largest in the Alps) and its own ski and boot rental shop.
Price: £££
Find more of the best hotels in Courchevel here.
Chalets and apartments
Chalet Mistral
Offered by Moriond chalet specialist Le Ski, Mistral is a smartly decorated modern apartment sleeping eight with great views and spacious living areas. All four en-suite bedrooms have balconies and there is a sauna.
Price: ££
Book it: From £1,365 with Le Ski.
Credit:
JONTY WILDE
Shemshak Lodge
Right on the slopes in 1850, ski-in/ski-out Shemshak Lodge is a beautifully decorated five-bedroomed chalet sleeping eight adults and up to five children on an exclusive use basis. It has a swimming pool with panoramic mountain views as well as hot tub, sauna, steam room and gym. Service levels are high, including pre-arrival concierge and menu consultation, and in resort driver.
Price: £££
Book it: From €59,700 total with Consensio based on eight adults sharing. Excludes travel.
Booking.com rates above are guide prices per person per night, please note that packages can differ across accommodation. Please check the properties’ websites for further information on what’s included.
Unless stated otherwise, package prices are per person, based on two sharing a double or twin room half-board for seven nights, including flights and transfers.