Near+Far Les Airelles Courchevel review: 9/10

Why book Les Airelles Courchevel

Imagine a snowy winter wonderland, where champagne flutes clink, fireplaces roar, alpinists whizz down gleaming pistes and gilded (often branded with Gucci and Moncler) gondolas float over dusted pines, and you’ve got Courchevel. One of the world’s ski capitals, this stunning ski area comprises six villages – and the highest (and glitziest) of them is Courchevel 1850 – home to Les Airelles Courchevel.

From the outside, Les Airelles Courchevel – one of the most exclusive resorts in this elite mountain destination – looks like something from a storybook. There’s the gingerbread exterior, with whimsical turrets dusted in icing sugar snow, twinkling lights and curved balconies, not to mention the army of beaming staff buzzing around in their almost costume-like uniforms. The resort backs onto the Jardin Alpin, offering ski-in and ski-out, and lures guests with half-board packages to dine around town and all-around opulence. This is arguably the most immersive of Courchevel’s galaxy of five-star hotels.

The story

While resembling a 19th-century Savoyard chalet, Les Airelles was actually built in the 90s in the style of Austro-Hungarian castles. It feels like a true winter storybook escape, thanks to dark wood, cosy nooks, roaring fires, bookshelves loaded with leather-bound tomes, stained glass windows, and hand-painted doors and walls.

The location

As good as it gets in Courchevel 1850 – right on the slopes of Jardin Alpin (a lovely smooth green run), offering immediate laid-back skiing for guests. Neighbouring other big names, like Cheval Blanc, it’s almost hidden in giant fir trees with icing-like dusting of snow. It’s a five-minute whizz town from the hotel to the village’s main hub, Le Croisette. Alternatively, guests can meander down on foot in about 15 minutes. Airelles’ fleet of Rolls-Royces can also take guests around the ski area on a complimentary basis.

Rooms and suites

Les Airelles Courchevel has just 47 rooms and suites, all spacious, some palatial – so it’sit’s impressive that there are 14 categories to choose from. All rooms embody the fantastical Savoyard theme, with their period furniture, royal red accents, oak panelled walls and marble and mosaic bathrooms. Entry-level Classic rooms are as spacious as some hotel suites, coming in at 32 square metres with a living alcove and balcony.

At the other end of the scale are the apartments and chalets, which have multiple bedrooms, roaring fireplaces, and perks like roof terraces and private spas. Our one-bedroom suite is a dream, with rich red carpets and drapes, antique furniture, a vast terrace with sun loungers overlooking the snow-covered pines and a wonderful steam shower. All rooms have a complimentary mini-bar, with local treats for cosy in-room snacking.

Food and beverage

Les Airelles Courchevel is undoubtedly the drinking and dining King of Courchevel – and guests from neighbouring hotels hostel to book tables at its iconic outlets. Each has its own, fantasy-like theme, transporting you into a movie. Le Coin Savoyard is a charming chalet-inspired space with red checked tablecloths and bubbling fondue pots (come for fondue, raclette, soufflés). Elsewhere, elegant Italian Palladio serves ginormous portions of paste ordered from ginormous menus and is all white table cloths and impeccably dressed waiters and sommeliers.

The heart of the hotel is Les Table Airelles, a grand immersive buffet stretching from the brilliantly lit dining room across the flagstone corridor and beyond. For breakfast, there are medieval-style piles of pastries, cakes, meats, cheeses, healthy options (think booster shots and acai bowls), and more. Lunch and dinner get an elegant makeover and are all rosé, oysters, cheese platters and toasted meats. The hotel stays on top of the zeitgeist, and recent collaborations with social media pastry sensation Cédric Grolet take over all the hotel’s desserts. There’s a cosy wooden bar with a gold glow and warm ceiling and a vast lounge space with multiple roaring fires and sink-in sofas to watch the falling snow – or the regular live music.

The best part of being a guest at Les Airelles Courchevel, in this reviewer’s opinion, is the half-board package. All guests get breakfast, lunch, or dinner at an in-house restaurant with its partners across town. Aman Le Melezin’s slick Japanese Nama, or ski-in ski-out dining at the chicest slopeside spot in town – Le Chalet du Pierres (once an old train station-turned winter wonderland with dramatic mountain views, a vibrant sunny terrace and chalet interiors with wooden beam ceilings ).

Spa and facilities

The hotel might look old-worldly, but its spa and fitness are as high-spec as they get. We spend most mornings and evenings luxuriating at the Airelles Spa by La Mer, a low-lit haven with a swimming pool, smoothie bar, sauna, steam, snow cave and even a bubbling outdoor jacuzzi by the snowy pines. There’s a fitness centre, too, with trainers on request and cryotherapy for recovery.

Les Airelles Courchevel takes everything you need in a luxury ski resort and elevates it to another level. The Bernard Orcel ski room is staffed with the friendliest team around, with a mini kitchenette stocked with snacks, hot drinks, and corners packed with the latest ski collections. Skiing has never been more comfortable or convenient. Children will also love the Airelles Winter Camp kids’ club, plus there’s a chic on-site boutique (where this reviewer and her husband acquired matching red Airelles pyjamas).

Anything to add?

This is a dreamy hotel for anyone looking to enjoy the most spectacular and memorable Courchevel or ski vacation. From the half-board packages to superlative facilities, in-room touches, design, setting, and everything in between, this is as close to a fantasy alpine dream as possible. You’ll likely, too, fall in love with the French brand, and delight in exploring their other properties in Paris’ Palace of Versailles, Val-d’Isère, St Tropez and soon, Venice. Book now, for every year…

Les Airelles Courchevel is open for the season from December to April. airelles.com, @airellescourchevel

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