Le Refuge de Solaise – Val d’Isère, France
At Le Refuge de Solaise you have the entire Espace Killy at the tips of your skis. This is the highest hotel in France, where ski-in, ski-out is the only option, and chair lifts are just seconds away. Make the first tracks each morning, or enjoy a near empty mountain at the end of the day. Formerly a lift station, it has been transformed into a super chic retreat, where every little bit of comfort and detail has been thought of. Contemporary and traditional alpine design are mixed seamlessly.
The owners and their very efficient and friendly team of staff make everything as effortless as possible, meeting you at the bottom of the lift on your arrival and creating an exceptionally convivial atmosphere for your entire stay. All your lift passes and ski hire can be organised here, so you can be whisked up the mountain as soon as you arrive. Naturally, the views from here are outstanding – peaks as far as the eye can see, and the restaurant and rooms all have the same soul enriching vistas. Just make sure you don’t miss the last lift back up…
At A Glance
Boutique Hotel
Why We Love It:
Staying here is a unique experience with amazing food, views & facilities.Style:
Contemporary alpine chic.Location:
2551m up the mountain at the top of the Solaise lift, 700m above Val d’Isère – reachable only by bubble, skidoo or ski tour.Rooms:
16 rooms, 4 apartments & a dormitory.Swimming:
Stunning spa with 25-metre swimming pool & 2 jacuzzis with beautiful mountain views.Children:
A family adventure awaits you at the Refuge.Ideal For:
A remote ski holiday experience. Feel in a world of your own.Open From:
December – May & June - September.rooms
If a room with a view is your thing, look no further. With its exceptional vantage point, the Solaise promises extraordinary vistas everywhere you look, and we can honestly say there’s no better panorama when you open your curtains in the morning. The interiors of all the rooms don’t disappoint either. Traditionally wood panelled, they are hugely spacious, with beautiful bathrooms and have all the alpine charm, comfort and luxury you could possibly want.
Le Refuge has four apartments that can sleep from four to eighteen. Guests who stay in these can have groceries delivered for chalet style mountain living. Also no refuge is complete without a dormitory. With three double and eight single beds, and a shared bathroom, this one promises more than a touch of mountain luxury.
food
Since you can’t just pop out for dinner, it’s very good to know that the Refuge has an excellent restaurant – Gigi. Here, you’ll find delicious Savoyard and Italian inspired dishes, complemented by an extensive wine list. Breakfasts here, with creamy yoghurts, fresh fruit and the most unbelievable brioche made by the pastry chef, get you ready for the day, even just by looking out of the floor to ceiling windows at the mountains that await you.
Lunches at the Petit Refuge are a daily changing set menu, with very tasty traditional mountain cuisine and pizzas. Plates of charcuterie and cheese can also be enjoyed in the Bar du Refuge – a cosy and comfortable place to rest after a day on the slopes.
activities
Naturally, the skiing from the Refuge is the biggest draw. All alpine sports can be enjoyed from here, with instant access to the runs, from blue to black, glacier and off piste. And if you’ve forgotten any kit, don’t worry, there’s a very well stocked boutique here. The Spa is very pampering, with a twenty-five metre long pool, that gets bathed in light in the afternoons. There are treatment rooms, two steam rooms, Jacuzzis and an outdoor sauna.
We love the feeling of cosy isolation at the Refuge and it’s in the evenings when it’s just you and the mountains that you fully appreciate the elevated location. Sit back with a book, watch a movie and enjoy the solitude.
family
Le Refuge is most definitely family friendly and a ski adventure to be remembered. The rooms and apartments are perfect for families, whilst the fabulous dormitory can accommodate the largest of gatherings. The Refuge has a large playroom with a cinema screen, a selection of board games, and table football. There are also children’s menus and babysitting can be requested. Just in front of the Refuge is a good beginners area, so even if your children haven’t had much experience on skis before, this is as good a place as any to learn.
Location
Val d’Isère, France
2551m up the mountain at the top of the Solaise lift, 700m above Val d’Isère – reachable only by bubble, skidoo or ski tour. It boasts panoramic views over Val d’Isère yet it feels a world away.
