Megève is one of France’s most luxurious ski resorts. Its charming, cobbled streets are dotted with elegant restaurants and designer boutiques and with over 400km of ski slopes it offers winter sports in abundance. But once the snow thaws and the temperature soars, is a town famed for its winter adventures still worth a visit? Emilia Harris finds out.
Hotel
It’s my third morning in Megève and I’ve started a routine. Coffee on the balcony whilst watching the Jaillet gondola in the distance, the first passengers of the day zipping up the hillside, their ski gear now swapped for hiking boots and walking poles.
I’m at Le Chalet, a Zannier Hotels property, and it’s the first year the hotel has opened in summer. The hillside, now swathed in green, is dotted with hikers, families and the odd paraglider swooping past.
As you’d expect with a Zannier hotel (whose portfolio includes properties in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Namibia) the design reflects the natural environment. Le Chalet is heavy on wood, with timber-clad walls and chunky exposed beams.
Room
Le Chalet has 12 rooms and suites scattered across three traditional chalet-style buildings. The largest is suite one, a split-level apartment with two bedrooms and a private dining area spread across an impressive 140 sqm of space.
The junior suites are perfect for couples and have king-sized beds and a relaxation area with hefty coffee table books from luxury publishers Assouline. Bathrooms have marble floors, double sinks – so there’s no squabbling over space – and enormous baths perfect for long bubbly soaks. Our room, a junior suite, boasts floor-to-ceiling windows which open onto a large balcony – the perfect spot for morning coffee musings.
Food
During the summer season, both the spa and the restaurant are closed, and the hotel operates on a bed and breakfast basis. For breakfast, expect a continental spread of perfectly ripened fruit, thick creamy yoghurts, and freshly baked croissants. Eggs or French toast can be made to order.
The hotel is a five-minute walk into Megève village where you’ll find an abundance of foodie options for lunch and dinner. The heavy alpine dishes of winter are replaced with lighter meals like grilled meats and salads, but you’ll still find cheese fondue on menus everywhere.
Family-owned Le Torrent offers traditional French cuisine from their location just off the town square. If there’s a fluffy white dog named Angie lounging outside, you’ve found the spot. For a livelier atmosphere, Le Hibou Blanc is a good option. The crowd is typically well-heeled (this is Megève after all) but pretence aside the food is very good. Nab a table on the terrace and order the fresh salmon tartare and a crisp glass of Provence rosé – people watching never tasted so good.
To do
Hiking is a popular activity throughout the alps in the summer and Megève is no exception. From the hotel, a hike to the Belle au Bois waterfall (around 45 minutes each way) is a must. The route follows well-signposted paths, but there’s a bit of a scramble to get down to the water.
If you arrive early you’ll have the whole place to yourself, save for the adventure groups canyoning down the slippery rocks. If you’re hiking to the waterfall from the village, stop at Du Sel Au Sucre for a takeaway panini and enjoy it by the water’s edge. Sit on the rocks and dip your toes into the glacial waters, it’s the best lunch spot in town.
After admiring the Jaillet gondola from afar, we decided to head up the hillside. Once at the top there are hiking routes for all abilities and a play area for children, but it’s the view of Mont Blanc, its granite peak still topped with snow, which steals the show.
Each July, the area outside of Le Palais transforms into Jumping Megève, an international show jumping competition which attracts competitors from across Europe. It’s well worth a visit, especially if you’re into all things equestrian and entry is free.
With the spa closed at Le Chalet, head to Le Palais, the largest recreation complex in the alps. There’s an Olympic-sized pool with mountain views, plus a spa and wellness area for pampering.
In a nutshell
Back at the hotel, we settled onto the balcony for an early evening aperitif, the warmth of the sun still lingering on our skin, the crickets in the surrounding fields providing our soundtrack. Le Chalet might offer a pared back experience during the summer, but its excellent views, conscious design and luxuriously spacious rooms still remain, making it one of the best options in town. And visiting Megève during the summer? We’ll see you next July.
Getting There
The nearest international airport is Geneva. From there it’s around a one hour 15-minute drive to the hotel – contact reception if you’d like to arrange a transfer.
Factbox
Le Chalet is open for the summer season until the 12th September 2022.
Rooms can be booked from £200 per night.
Address: 367 Rte du Crêt, 74120 Megève, France
Phone: +33 (0) 4 50 21 01 01
Email: contact@lechaletzannier.com
Website: zannierhotels.com/lechalet
For more information on the town of Megève visit: megeve-tourisme.fr/en/
Hotel photography courtesy of Zannier Hotels.
