Butlers and warmed boots at Les Grandes Alpes, France

19 February 2018

Courchevel 1850 is one of those Marmite resorts that you either love or hate. Love because skiing in the Trois Vallées is among the best in the world; hate because the resort is eye-wateringly expensive. Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, exterior There’s no denying that Courchevel 1850 can be hard on the pocket and, from €950 per night, the hotel I’m about to tell you about is certainly that. If you’re familiar with the resort you will know Les Grandes Alpes as a high-end family hotel with the best location in Courchevel 1850. It still has the best location, at the edge of Bellecôte piste, just above the main lifts – which not only enables skiers to ski in/ski out but non-skiers to walk to the shops and restaurants in just a couple of minutes – but it’s an even higher end family hotel now, with just nine apartments which can be taken as a whole or in part. Apartment, Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, Courchevel 1850 And here’s what that €950 gets you: each of the three, four or five-bedroom super luxurious apartments has its own butler. Not one of those butlers who shows up on your arrival and is never seen again. But a butler who lays out a fabulous breakfast spread every morning and cooks your eggs just how you like them. A butler who will sort out your ski lessons and spa appointments, book your mountain restaurant for lunch and track down your lost gloves. A butler who really does act as your factotum, which is just what you need when you’re engaged in the stressful business of a skiing holiday with young children. Ski room, Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, Courchevel 1850 What else? Well, when you ski at this price level you get someone who will help you into your (warmed) boots in the morning and place your skis at the side of the slope, ready to step into. When you return, he’ll whisk away your skis and boots and have your slippers ready. Bar, Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, Courchevel 1850 You get a stylish bar, above, and a superb Japanese-Italian fusion restaurant, but equally you can dine in your own apartment, private chalet-style. Many of the dishes are available on the room service menu, served by your butler at your own dining table. And if you want an off-menu dinner, a chef will come and cook it for you. Master suite, Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, Courchevel 1850 You get a spa with top-notch masseuses, a steam room and a small pool. And you get a beautifully designed apartment that is a cross between a luxury chalet and a hotel suite. It’s true you don’t get much of an Alpine feel: design is very much international luxe with only a passing nod to location. But then, chalet-chic is so Noughties. Balcony, Les Grandes Alpes Private Hotel, Courchevel 1850 Would I spend €950 a night of my own money on a week at Les Grandes Alpes? It’s difficult to be objective when you’re not in that price league. Much as I enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of a private chalet, I also appreciate the benefits of staying in a hotel. And the location really is the best in Courchevel 1850. So yes, if I were in the market for a super luxury chalet, I think I might well choose Les Grandes Alpes.