LYS MARTAGON

It’s named for a flower — a striking pink lily that doubles as a clue to Lys Martagon’s enviable location. The martagon lily blooms in summertime on the green hillsides of the French Alps, and it’s particularly emblematic of the high-altitude Tarentaise Valley and the village of Courchevel 1850. It’s here, beside the Bellecôte ski slopes, that an elegant old family chalet was turned into a luxurious ski-in, ski-out lodge featuring an opulent spa and a notable art collection.

With just seven suites and a maximum capacity of twenty, Lys Martagon has an intimate air. The interiors are refined but fanciful, mixing elements of Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The common spaces are almost museum-like, with colorful mosaics and stained glass panels, oil paintings in gilded frames, and design objects on display. Rooms and suites are art-filled, too, lined in pale wood and stone but otherwise eschewing traditional alpine charm for a whimsical, more-is-more aesthetic — metallic wall murals, boldly patterned drapery, velvet sofas, sculptural chandeliers. Bathrooms are especially over-the-top, with Sonos sound systems and vibrant pink marble that matches the hotel’s namesake lily; some suites have two full bathrooms. Several rooms have private terraces with fireplaces.

The spa, with its dreamy blue-tiled pool and indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, is a highlight, as is Lys Martagon’s restaurant, facing panoramic views of the mountains. A resident pastry chef crafts exquisite cakes on the premises, and a Prohibition-style bar is a cozy spot for aprés-ski drinks.