Le Fitz Roy

It’s not easy to stand out among the countless hotels and mountain inns scattered throughout the French Alps. But Le Fitz Roy is something of an icon. It’s located in the heart of the highest ski resort in all of Europe, Val Thorens; the chalet has served as a meeting place for skiers, climbers and associated hangers-on since its inception. Recently renovated, it’s still grand, but crisp and contemporary, with a see-and-be-seen restaurant, a sunny terrace facing over the slopes, an onsite ski shop and a swimming pool carved into the mountainside.

The updated Le Fitz Roy looks like exactly what it is: a modern take on the Alpine inn. The lobby is minimalist but with a sense of humor; the original stone and wood fixtures have been preserved, and there’s a crackling central fireplace, sleek slate-gray sofas, and antique wooden skis mounted on the wall. Standard guest rooms and suites are done up in a earth-toned color palette, offering slope views, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary wi-fi. Duplex suites are more atmospheric, with wood-beamed ceilings, cowhide chairs and private balconies. The spacious La Suite, a chic duplex with a fireplace and panoramic mountain views, is the modern ski getaway of your dreams (if your dreams are anything like ours).

Downstairs, the square-shaped swimming pool — properly heated, of course, in winter — beckons weary skiers for a leisurely dip, or you can relax indoors at the sauna and Turkish bath. The bustling open-plan lobby opens onto a large south-facing terrace, ideal for a lunch of fresh local smoked trout club sandwiches, or après-ski drinks when the weather's fine, and the library and bar, a perfectly cozy spot to pull up a bar stool when the snow's coming down. Adjacent to the bar is Le Fitz Roy's low-lit, wood-paneled restaurant, considered one of the best in Val Thorens.