When Megève’s 4-star hotels steal the show from the palaces

1. Mythical: Hôtel Mont-Blanc

The location is unbeatable, right next to the main square with its magnificent fir tree in winter and the Chamois ski lifts just 50 meters away. Owned by the Sibuet family (Le Lodge Park, Les Fermes de Marie...), this 4-star hotel in Megève combines glamour and history. Founded in the 1920s, it was home to the stars of the Sixties, from Jean Marais to Brigitte Bardot. Roger Vadim filmed his adaptation of Les Liaisons dangereuses here with Jeanne Moreau and Gérard Philippe. Renowned for its unique ambience, the Megève hotel boasts a legendary bar, Les Enfants Terribles - named by Jean Cocteau - cosy lounges, a library and a tea room that transforms into a champagne bar at 6pm.

For a rich Savoyard meal, head to the hotel's restaurant, Le Relais. Here, Swiss, Italian and Savoyard cuisine meet to delight guests. How about a half-Gruyère, half-Fribourg cowboy fondue to share after a day on the slopes? The 38 rooms, including 11 suites, combine Savoyard, English and Austrian influences, with blonde woods, vintage furniture, warm tweeds and Missoni fabrics. The Sacha Distel and Jeanne Moreau suites, the pinnacle of refinement, are particularly popular. Offering views of the mountains for an immersion in nature from the moment you wake up, or of the exotic streets of Megève, the rooms benefit from the warm sunshine of the Alps.

The spa at this 4-star hotel in Megève is by Pure Altitude. Forget conventional hotel spas with their subdued decor, and let yourself be seduced by the immersive experience offered by this spa-igloo. From gentle wraps with Blanc Comme Neige treatments to relax you after an intense ski session, to restorative massages with Baume des Montagnes or anti-ageing lifting treatments, everything is organized here to let go in the most pleasant way. The indoor pool and sauna are just two more ways to enjoy guilt-free relaxation at the hotel, which is open to all - residents and non-residents alike.

Good to know? The Mont-Blanc hotel is ideal for corporate seminars in the mountains, and its two meeting rooms, which can accommodate 30 to 40 people, make it the place to be for your next business trip. The hotel can also be fully privatized for larger seminars.

Hotel Mont Blanc
From €489
29 rue Ambroise Martin, 74120 Megève
http://www.hotelmontblanc.com

2. Vintage: Chalet Saint-Georges

In the heart of the village, a stone's throw from shops and the Chamois ski lifts, this intimate 4-star Megève hotel with 21 rooms and 3 suites seduces with its vintage charm. The quaint, old-fashioned atmosphere is reminiscent of the warm, comfortable chalets of yesteryear. The living room, straight out of a winter novel, offers cozy sofas and a purring fireplace. The owners have sourced furniture, paintings and objects from Savoie and Austria, giving each room a unique patina. Special mention must go to the three suites with south-facing balconies overlooking the slopes, ideal for enjoying the scenery. Admittedly noisy in high season, but that's the price to pay for such a prime location in the heart of the resort. And for gourmets? La Table du Trappeur, a meat restaurant, delights with grilled or roasted dishes, in a decor that smells of the mountains. A small, unpretentious, cosy and gourmet hotel, where the soul of Megève can be found.

Chalet Saint-Georges
From €221
159 rue Monseigneur Conseil, 74120 Megève

3. Central: Coeur de Megève

Only 39 rooms, including five suites (look for the superior rooms, which are more spacious and have a balcony overlooking the river): this historic 4-star Megève hotel is a must in the village's hypercentre, located on rue Charles Feige, the village's main shopping street, a stone's throw from the Place de l'Eglise and its horse-drawn carriages. The atmosphere is warm and contemporary. Renovated in 2021, Coeur de Megève has been given a new lease of life by interior designer Sybille de Margerie, who has skilfully played with materials such as soft wool, brushed walnut and Hainaut blue stone.the hotel's spa, designed by Tata Harper, is a definite asset, as is the restaurant serving local specialities, with its jacquard-patterned alcoves, and the cocktail bar, a favorite with locals.

Coeur de Megève
From €162
44 rue Charles Feige, 74120 Megève

4. Fully equipped: Les Loges Blanches

Close to the center, but set back enough to enjoy the peace and quiet, this 4-star hotel in Megève offers a free shuttle service for easy access to the resort. The spacious rooms and suites are housed in five chalets set around a year-round heated outdoor pool. All have a private terrace or balcony, and plenty of storage space. Plus: fully-equipped tribal apartments with kitchen, living and dining areas, perfect for making yourself at home in the mountains. The restaurant features Savoyard classics, served under an illuminated veranda. And with all this? A Cinq Mondes spa, a signature bar staffed by Anissa, Megève's Bartender 2024, a kids' club, a ski shop run by Olympic medallist Richard Gay and a covered parking lot - all just 200 metres from the Jaillet slopes

Les Loges Blanches
From €138
500 route de la Plaine, 74120 Megève

5. Bon vivant : La Ferme du Golf

Opposite the Mont d'Arbois cable car and the 18-hole golf course, this discreet address plays the outsider. With a cable car running until 5 p.m. to reach the village and a free shuttle for the return journey, this is a well-thought-out, practical establishment. Rated 3 stars, but a notch above the rest in terms of experience, this quasi-4-star hotel in Megève seduces guests with its rustic, friendly atmosphere around the billiard table and the large fireplace in the lounge, or out on the terrace to enjoy the fresh air. Breakfast is a generous and varied buffet. Rooms are simple but comfortable, some duplex or connecting for families. Special mention must be made of the superior rooms with balconies overlooking the valley. The icing on the cake: a sauna and jacuzzi hidden away in the garden, for relaxing after a day on the slopes. In short, an unpretentious address that ticks all the right boxes.

La Ferme du Golf
From €220
3048 route Edmond de Rothschild, 74120 Megève