Zannier Le Chalet

Checking into Zannier Hotels Le Chalet feels like a special occasion. It’s not just that this exclusive hotel, located in the French Alps, just outside the village of Megève, is a paragon of modern elegance and first-class service. It’s also that, with just twelve rooms, it’s a scarce resource — Zannier Hotels Le Chalet is often booked in its entirety by families or groups, so you’ll have to plan ahead.

The reward is simple. It’s the alpine paradise of your dreams, lavish yet wonderfully cozy. The décor mixes minimalism with rustic chic: think vaulted ceilings made with beams of rough-hewn wood, white linen sofas, stone fireplaces, hand-thrown pottery, the occasional plant. Integrated in-room sound systems, Nespresso machines, and free wi-fi are standard features, as are views of the village and mountains.

The idea is that you feel like you’re in your own private chalet, but with all the amenities you’d expect at a five-star hotel: a huge indoor swimming pool, a great spa, and a gourmet restaurant, La Ferme de mon Père. The adjacent wine bar is also a lovely spot for après-ski and small plates. Breaking the spell that you’re alone up here at Zannier Hotels Le Chalet, both restaurant and bar are open to the public — but given the hotel’s size, the atmosphere benefits from a little bit of company.

A place like Megève is perhaps at its most dramatic — and certainly at its busiest — during ski season, but it’s no less satisfying a destination during the summer months, as a home base for hiking, climbing, and even paragliding. In the off-season, Le Chalet downscales its operations to a bed-and-breakfast model, closing the spa and indoor pool and suspending lunch and dinner service. It’s a low-key, low-maintenance experience, but by B&B standards it’s as stylish and luxe as they come.