Aman Le Melezin

Even upscale European ski resorts don’t usually come as elegant as Aman Le Mélézin. The location, in Courchevel 1850, could scarcely be more exclusive — there are several Courchevels, you see, each named for its elevation, and 1850 is the highest, both figuratively (some call it the 21st Arrondissement) and literally. Add to that the fact that Aman Le Mélézin is, despite its thoroughgoing Frenchness, a part of the Aman family, and you’ll have a pretty clear idea what all the fuss is about.

The pared-down high-minimalist look you’d expect from any Aman resort is on display here, and it’s a serious departure from the rustic style of most ski lodges. The exterior, sticking to the lines of a French château, keeps one foot in the traditional — in the rooms, though, it’s only in the rich cedar walls and ceilings (and, one supposes, the views of the snowy slopes outside) that Aman Le Mélézin resembles the archetypal Alpine hotel.

There’s an upscale Japanese restaurant in the exacting washoku tradition, Nama, and a granite-forward bar featuring a signature blueberry-violet champagne cocktail for après-ski decompression. The spa, spread out over two floors, comes equipped with an indoor pool, a couple of jacuzzis, a stone hammam, a sauna, a fully equipped gym, and five treatment rooms. And of course those famous Courchevel slopes are just a few meters away — here the Aman approach pays dividends, as butlers will have your skis waiting on the piste first thing in the morning.

Please note: Aman Le Mélézin is a seasonal hotel, open from mid-December to mid-April.

How to get there:
Helicopters can land at Courchevel Altiport, a few minutes’ drive from Aman Le Mélézin. Alternatively, Aman Le Mélézin is located 2.5 hours' drive from Geneva or Lyon airports.