l'Armancette

It’s an unusual combination: a truly vast ski resort and a genuinely small — and genuinely high-end — hotel. L’Armancette finds itself in the village of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce, which is connected by ski lifts to the vast Evasion Mont-Blanc network of slopes. As convenient as it is, what’s remarkable about L’Armancette is the combination of classic luxury and modern boutique-hotel style that lies behind its classic Alpine-chalet facade.

How small? 19 rooms and suites, all of which are marked by a contrast between modernist-inspired furnishings and a backdrop of oak timbers and parquet floors. They start out spacious enough — almost all have balconies — and the Family and Duplex rooms and the junior suites are downright expansive. Not only that, but despite the mountain setting and the rustic-inspired atmosphere, they’re unapologetically luxurious, with marble bathrooms, espresso machines, and up-to-date electronics.

Also unapologetically high-end is its restaurant, La Table d’Armante, with a menu by chef Fabien Laprée, serving a refined cuisine based on local products; it’s joined by a more casual bistro, Le Mont Joly. And the spa goes a step or two beyond typical Alpine fare as well, featuring products by KOS Paris and astonishing views of Mont Blanc from its indoor and outdoor pools.