This winter brings a new reason to head to the French Alps as Saint Roch opens its doors in Courchevel 1850. Sitting directly on the Bellecôte piste and just moments from the village centre, the 37-room hotel combines the convenience of ski-in mountain living with the intimacy of a beautifully designed private home.
Inside, it’s a world away from predictable chalet style. Rich woods, velvet, silk and handcrafted ceramics sit alongside deep shades of tobacco, garnet, moss green and midnight blue, with interiors taking inspiration from Russian dachas, the Mongolian steppes and Persia. There’s a wonderfully collected feel to it all, as though pieces have been gathered over years of travelling rather than simply chosen to fill a hotel. Patinated surfaces, bronze, agate glass, intricate mosaics and beautiful marquetry add layers of interest, while soft lighting keeps everything feeling warm and cocooning rather than overly polished.
It’s the sort of place that should come into its own as daylight fades. Imagine returning from the crisp mountain air to flickering fires, deep sofas, tactile fabrics and pools of golden light, with snow-covered peaks just beyond the windows. There’s an intimacy to the aesthetic that feels more private residence than grand hotel, luxurious certainly, but with enough warmth and character to make you want to kick off your boots, order a hot chocolate and stay exactly where you are.
Rooms range from cosy retreats to generous suites, carrying the same rich colours, beautiful fabrics and layered detailing throughout. For something particularly special, the top-floor Penthouse can be taken over by families or groups wanting their own rather fabulous mountain hideaway.
After a day on the slopes, the hotel is made for lingering. There are deep sofas and hot chocolate by the fire, a softly lit restaurant for leisurely dinners and a bar that looks particularly tempting for that first post-ski cocktail. Downstairs, the spa continues the escapism with interiors inspired by Ottoman hammams and Caucasian palaces. Arched details, richly veined marble, mosaics and shades of ochre, rust and midnight blue surround an indoor pool, alongside Tata Harper treatments and a light-filled fitness space.
Of course, the location is the real star. Courchevel 1850 sits within Les 3 Vallées, giving skiers access to one of the world’s largest ski areas, and Saint Roch’s position on the Bellecôte piste means the mountains are quite literally on the doorstep. An on-site ski shop takes care of equipment and fittings, so getting out onto the snow couldn’t be easier.
And there’s plenty to tempt you away from the pistes. Courchevel is as renowned for its glamorous après-ski, restaurants and boutiques as it is for skiing, while days can also be spent dog-sledding through snowy forests, snowmobiling, taking a helicopter flight over the peaks or escaping for dinner high in the mountains.
For those who like their ski holidays with equal measures of adventure and indulgence, Saint Roch looks set to be a rather lovely new place to call home in the Alps.
For more information or to book, visit www.saintrochcourchevel.com.
Image Credit: Vincent Leroux
