Four Seasons Megève

Around a century ago Megève was quite literally put on the map by the Rothschild family, a purpose-built alternative to some of the busier Alpine resort towns. To this day it remains quieter and more rarefied than most of the other big-name ski destinations. Even the Four Seasons Megève — a partnership between the venerable luxury brand and the family that still runs this town — contains a mere 55 rooms and suites, a fraction of what you might find in a comparable hotel in a busier slopeside town.

And though they’re tailored to the location, with handsome surfaces in pine wood and subtly Alpinized decorative elements, they’re quite a bit more polished and less rustic than your average Alpine chalet. In typical Four Seasons style they’re also outfitted with top-flight luxuries, including heated floors and deep soaking tubs in the marble bathrooms.

An expansive Roman-style spa, complete with a heated indoor-outdoor pool, helps to soothe tired muscles after a day on the slopes or the trails. The services, from the ski concierges to the kids’ and teens’ clubs, are suitably high-touch. Meanwhile the restaurants include hearty Savoyard fare alongside high-end Japanese and French offerings.