We slept at the Chalets du Mont d’Arbois in Megève

How is the hotel?

The Hôtel des Alpes is made up of three independent chalets for a total of 40 keys. Chalet Noémie, built in 1927 for Baroness de Rothschild, is the family’s former private chalet. The exterior and interior walls are decorated with original paintings, the mountain views are majestic and the decoration combines exposed beams and wood with the plush comfort of modern times. Chalet Ève, acquired in 1960, happens to be the largest of the three buildings. It includes the majority of the common areas, the reception, precious lounges, the bar and its terrace, the ephemeral forest-style restaurant, the Susanne Kaufmann spa area as well as 25 rooms and suites. It is undoubtedly one of the most charming hotels in Megève.

Finally, the latest addition, Chalet Alice, is located at the back of the park. Its traditional architecture integrated into the landscape makes it a cozy nest of seven rooms and suites completed by a private spa and a common living space. It can be privatized, like the Noémie chalet.

A very exclusive hotel, the Chalets du Mont d’Arbois form a harmonious, warm and pleasant ensemble. Contemporary ethnic photographs, Baron Edmond’s collection of walking sticks, if the design is signed by palace specialist Pierre-Yves Rochon, everywhere the Rothschild touch gives an extra touch of soul. The visual appearance and the choice of works of art give an aristocratic tone to the place which nevertheless remains family and intimate.

In the right continuation of this “rooted luxury” as Ariane de Rothschild likes to define it, we enter for dinner in a plant setting made of 300 branches and twigs, Amélie Darvas’ new lair for the season. The chef of the Apönem restaurant in Hérault does much more than sign the menu. She is present every evening and has spent several months preparing for winter by meeting local producers and imagining a tasting menu in the form of a story, in close partnership with her sommelier-comteuse who takes us from the island of Limnos in Greece to the Loire Valley, before making a detour to the wines of Mercantour and the sakes of France. The cuisine is to match, plant-based without being vegetarian, poetic, cerebral, sometimes a little too much but always surprising and sweet. The 100% female team likes to tell us about these crispy vegetable tops “planted” in the edible soil with raw cocoa and ginger, or this caviar from Château Castillone served on mother-of-pearl, barbecued potatoes and pears, infused sabayon with hay, citrus zest. A haiku card and a beautiful taste and human moment.