Aman Le Mélézin: This ski-in ski-out hotel is the jewel in Courchevel's crown
Those in the know return year after year to Aman Le Mélézin. It’s a snow-sure ski spot where well-heeled travellers lock in their hotel rooms well in advance.
Its up-high altitude means off-pisters can feel pretty secure in their carving action, while those in need of quieter times, spa stillness and food to keep warm with are spoiled. There’s stellar mountain restaurants, dance-music party places and shops where you can seek out the best goggles to don on the slopes. With other leading hospitality groups now planting their poles in prime positions in this Alps resort, the Aman has led with its terrace hotspot and smart bedrooms that peek out over Courchevel since 1992.
Where is it?
You’re 1850 metres above sea level. In and amidst the peaky caps of the French Alps, above its sister town of 1650, a few swishes from merry Meribel and family favourite Val Thorens.
When they say ski-in, ski-out, they really mean it. Claiming plum position on the Bellecôte Piste (your wake-up call is the crunch of the bashers paving fresh snow each morning), all it takes is a dash down to the boot room — where a smiling local team member is there ready and waiting to help get you suited and booted. Then you can clip into your skis which are waiting just outside. You can’t get any closer to the lifts if you try.
Bear in mind the closest main airport is Geneva, a 2.5 hour drive away, which the hotel will happily help you sort out.
Style
Aman Le Mélézin has all the hallmarks the group, founded by Indonesian hotelier Adrian Zecha, is known for: clean lines, dark shades, super swish service, which turn it into a contemporary spin on a classic Alpine chalet.
The tone is quickly set with a welcome bang on the gong, firmly defining the pace of your stay before even stepping through the sliding doors. Inside, it’s all blonde wood and hot fireplaces, grey stone detailing and shiny parquet flooring, it’s amazing to think so much space exists in a lodge-like structure.
Don’t expect too many pops of bright colour, it’s a darker affair in here, but one that doesn’t hinder the mood and instead keeps things low-key, sophisticated and perfectly private, which some regulars of the brand will appreciate.
Which room?
The bedrooms are seriously special and lean into chalet style more than the downstairs spaces: big framing windows provide daydream views over fleeting skiers all day long; soft sheets ensure deep sleeps (in very bed bigs); while snack-filled bento-box details remind you where you’re staying.
Some corner rooms have cosy nooks where you can lounge with a green tea after a day out. While some top-tier suites have long-stretching hallways that connect living rooms with marble tubs in the bathroom.The money shot is the window-lined walls, though be aware that the ground floor rooms have outdoor hot tubs for soaking instead.
Facilities
Downstairs at the hotel, minimalist spaces like the spa (and that Capri-stone lined pool), the bamboo-floored yoga studio, the boot room and children’s play area (filled with arcade games and toys galore) are a draw for non-ski time. Pros reserve slots in the Japanese Iyashi Dôme — similar to a sauna, but instead you lay down for 30 minutes for a burst of infrared rays to target muscle recovery. It’s a game-changer. Take time for a cold plunge, a hot blast in the Turkish hammam, or simply a swim in the pool.
Extracurricular
There’s a certain pizazz with Courchevel 1850. Yes, it’s one of the highest resorts of the Les Trois Vallées: those 600 kilometres of snow-dusted pistes that run from the glitziness of Gucci in town to more laid-back chalet scenes of Meribel and higher-up purpose-built sister Val Thornes. So, skiing, or any snow-facing activities must be on the agenda.
Fashion is also big business here, with powerhouses including Prada, Moncler, Louis Vuitton and Chanel taking over the high street. Let's not forget there’s also a ski-hard, play-hard attitude on these slopes — apres beats begin around 3 pm for a boot-bashing crowd to pop bottles of bubbly until the late evening, before they head for Michelin-starred meals at night.
Food & Drink
For not being near the sea, Nama at Le Mélézin manages to carefully craft tip-top plates of Japanese food so good it’s actually quite hard to remember you’re in the French Alps and not Fuji-san. Wide-sweeping tables are topped with delicate bonsai trees, in step with the peaceful, zen-like mood the Aman manages to get so right.
Flakey black cod, wagyu sliders and sticky matcha mochis make for dinner most evenings. For something a little more casual, claim a velvet sofa in the bar where you can order towering spinach black truffle salads, a club sandwich or steak tartare next to mountainside vistas.
You’re here to ski too, so hop on their half-board train which includes lunch or dinner slope-side. Le Chalet de Pierres is the place to settle into a terrace table when the sun shines: hearty fondue, crunchy endive salads and a filled dessert bar are there for tucking in.
Best for…
Powder hounds who know that these valleys really lead with some of the best skiing around, and those who equally appreciate serious hospitality. Plus, wellness worshipers after slow moments to zen out. Namaste.
The details
Rates start from 2400 Euro per night including half board. The minimum night stay is 7 nights in peak season and 5 in off-peak. aman.com
