Inside the new Four Seasons Hotel Megève

5 February 2018

Megève is one of my favourite ski resorts in the French Alps. I also love a Four Seasons. So when I was invited to spend a couple of days at the new Four Seasons Hotel Megève I jumped at the chance. Reception, Four Seasons Megève Opened just over a month ago, the hotel is a collaboration between Four Seasons and the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage brand, managed by Benjamin and Ariane de Rothschild. Benjamin is the grandson of Noémie, who founded the resort in 1920, and the Rothschild brand operates a number of hotels and mountain restaurants in Megève’s Mont d’Arbois. Lobby bar, Four Seasons Megève Ariane was particularly hands-on in the design of the new hotel, working with designer Pierre-Yves Rochon to create a contemporary, eclectic retreat that moves the traditional mountain aesthetic on from the 1920s to the 2020s. Many of the features you would expect are here: log fires, picture windows framing the scenic landscape, sheepskin chair covers… What you might not expect are the display cases of African tribal necklaces, the abstract artworks or the cloud-shaped pendant lights. Private terrace, Four Seasons Megève Equally my room – one of 55 – was more Four Seasons glossy than Alpine fussy: no heart cut-outs or cowbells here. I loved my terrace best of all, which faced the mountains and was edged with a bank of snow. A thoughtfully provided blanket took the chill off my first coffee of the day, which I sipped as the sky turned from velvet black to vivid blue. Wine cellar, Four Seasons Megève The hotel boasts a two-Michelin starred restaurant as well as a Japanese fusion restaurant and a couple of stylish bars, not to mention a state-of-the-art wine cellar for private tastings and one of the most beautiful Art-Deco-style spas (a nod to Noémie and the resort’s heritage) I’ve ever seen, with a glamorous indoor/outdoor pool. Skis outside Four Seasons Megève As soon as I could I headed for the bijou ski room to be kitted out with boots and skis. Having experienced the scrum of a Megève ski hire shop many times, I perched smugly on the leather seat as my boots were done up and my skis and poles carried outside. Calèche, Four Seasons Megève Then it was time for my piste transfer … by horse-drawn carriage. Actually, you could pole the few hundred metres to the piste but how much more civilised to go by calèche which delivers you to a gentle slope just above the main Mont d’Arbois lift. Nemo, Four Seasons Megève Other than the pile-up I caused on a button lift (Sorry, everyone), my two days’ glorious skiing passed without incident. Which was fortunate, since the hotel’s St Bernard puppy, Nemo, is not yet old enough to dig guests out from snow drifts. The downside? A room here costs from £550 a night and that doesn’t include breakfast. But this is an expensive resort and there are plenty of people who feel just like me: Four Seasons Hotel Megève is already fully booked for much of the season.