Top 5 Stand-alone Alpine Chalets in COVID Times

Top 5 stand-alone Alpine chalets in COVID times

Well here we are, nine months have passed and still no end in sight to travel restrictions and social distancing. It's understandable that some people are starting to get a little ridiculed. They are the lucky ones. There is hope, however, for those who really don't want to miss their annual ski trip.

I'm happy to report that almost all ski chalets in the Alps, especially in Switzerland, France and Austria, are now offered with terms to protect you in the event of COVID-19 travel interruption. You can book with confidence knowing that if you are unable to leave your country of residence or enter the destination country due to government restrictions, or if ski areas are closed, you will receive a credit for the full value of your reservation. to use during a future stay. In some cases, a full refund is offered. Many will think it is worth the bet. In reality, you have nothing to lose.

Naturally, the ski industry is very keen to kick off the upcoming season and is doing everything they can to restore confidence. Strict health and safety measures are in place and follow the latest government advice. Each property already includes daily housekeeping and even higher cleanliness standards will apply. As standard, a thorough cleaning of the entire chalet before the arrival of new guests is required. As is the strict monitoring of the health and well-being of all staff.

Private transfers from the airport to your chalet can also be arranged. If you want to travel to the Alps to avoid airports, almost all properties have private parking.

It's probably safe to say that the stations will be less crowded than usual. Queues at the ski lifts will likely be reduced. You can rest assured that everything is being done to reduce the risks for you and your loved ones.

Les Anges, Zermatt

Standing proud, overlooking the entire city, Les Anges has huge picture windows so the jaw-dropping views can be your constant companion. This is one of the most impressive ski chalets in the Alps and deserves its place in our Top 5 selection. As you relax in the lounge admiring the view of the village below and the iconic Matterhorn beyond, you will probably feel on top of the world.

Les Anges will be your second home, a place to unwind and totally unwind. A chalet that improves your feeling of well-being. You already know that the place where you hang your hat is important for the success of your vacation, Les Anges confirms this belief and more than plays its role. Children are welcome - this is not an exhibition house with priceless and delicate ornaments dotted around the place. Les Anges is a real home, a place of life. Located far enough from the crowds to feel the serenity of the mountain but never too far from the action, you can walk down to the main lift station in 5 minutes, or hop off in an electric taxi in no time. The village center isn't much further either and is a place that comes alive during the winter months, a place to eat, drink, shop and for some, just be seen.

The Angels will delight the whole family, the children will love the space to move around, 750 square meters, and the TV Come cinema room will undoubtedly be transformed into their own lair, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the peace. . Any non-skier in the group will love the chalets' long list of luxury features and proximity to shops and cafes.

Hidden dragon, Veysonnaz

Nestled in a forest, Hidden Dragon could be the home of your dreams. Located along a private road and situated in its own exclusive domain, with panoramic views over the Rhône valley and the real luxury of ski-in / ski-out access.

The 700m² of luxurious living space was created with ancient feng shui principles in mind. There is a hint of Asia, balanced by a healthy dose of Swiss charm. Exquisite antique pieces blend harmoniously with both the contemporary chalet design and the use of organic materials. When a chalet is designed to celebrate all the best things in life, an exceptional spa is guaranteed. If you can detach yourself from the spectacular views from your master bedroom, go down to the garden level. Here you will find complete and utter peace on Earth. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the hammam, sauna, whirlpool and rain shower. The Hidden Dragon site was prepared with Shinto rituals to cleanse the earth and appease the mountain spirits. Hidden Dragon is not your everyday wood-clad mountain hideaway.

When you stay in a place as fabulous as Hidden Dragon, staying indoors is the new way out. Each nurturing minute spent in the chalet is a chance to absorb the positive energy that circulates around your environment.

Sapphire, Morzine

Having traveled the world, staying in some of the finest luxury ski chalets, the owner of Chalet Sapphire has noticed one thing. Each of them came with a compromise. Whether it is layout, facilities, location or logistics; nothing was really built for the purpose. And that's how the vision of Chalet Sapphire was born. A quest to build the ultimate luxury ski chalet. A property never intended as a second home, but rather built from the ground up for one purpose; to be the most exceptional mountain residence, a haven for luxury ski vacations in winter and incredible retreats in summer. We chatted with the owner to find out the true story of this amazing new ski chalet.

"Chalet Sapphire is the result of having been fortunate enough for many years to stay in some of the best equipped ski chalets in Europe with my friends and family. We enjoyed every trip but I couldn't help but notice that with every vacation and in every chalet there was always a trade-off. Each chalet experience was unique with its own merits, but all came with their own challenges, whether in terms of location, the way it was run on a day-to-day basis, internal and external layout or the facilities of the hotel. chalet. capable of offering ".

"What was needed was a luxury residence, built with the spirit of a 5 star hotel, which offered you your own private and comfortable retreat from it all. Customers only got small glimpses of it. I wanted the guests to have everything. It became a personal ambition to build a ski chalet that really ticked all the boxes; and that's how it started and i spent over 5 years looking for the perfect location ".

"My decision was finally made when I was offered land. I had watched a lot of intrigue but that word... compromise... applied to most. They either had great views but were difficult to get to, or central but small and closed. When I entered the Morzine site for the first time, I knew it was the perfect place. It is only a quick walk into town but it also enjoys the most fabulous view of the village and the mountains beyond. I knew then that we could do anything here, so it really started ".

Marco Polo, Val d'sère

This chalet is the last word in opulence and exotic luxury. Carved wood, chandeliers, fabrics and exotic furniture elevate this fabulous chalet out of the ordinary and elevate it to a league of its own. Located in the heart of Val d'Isère, but set back from the main road, the chalet offers privacy, sumptuous luxury and easy access to the center of this beautiful high-altitude ski resort.

Marco Polo himself was not averse to a little luxury and the finer things in life, after all he did a lot to introduce Europeans to the delicacies of the exotic tastes and treasures of Central Asia and China. He left a lasting legacy and inspired others to follow in his footsteps. One wonders, if he was still here today, what he would do with his namesake, Chalet Marco Polo, I guess he would be really, really impressed.

The Marco Polo chalet is certainly spacious, with over 750 m2 of space, Marco Polo can comfortably accommodate 12 adults and 2 children. The living room is large with a large open plan living / dining room around a central fireplace. A wonderful cocktail bar is a feature not often found in a regular ski chalet, perfect for the Perrier-Jouet aperitif, the house champagne.

Large doors open onto a huge balcony where you will find heated outdoor seating, a barbecue and magnificent panoramic views of the La Face piste and the surrounding mountains. The six beautifully appointed bedrooms are all en-suite with all the amenities and accessories you would expect to find in this caliber of accommodation.

Well-being is at the heart of Marco Polo because the entire first floor is dedicated to your relaxation and well-being. The large pool with jet stream sits next to the hot tub and is flooded with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. The sauna and relaxation area, complete with entertainment system, allow you to completely relax and enjoy the ultimate luxury ski chalet experience.

Norte, Verbier

This sumptuous presence is not a simple dwelling, no ordinary chalet even by Verbier standards, and once seen it will not be forgotten. She stands above all the others and looks at Verbier with affection.

Chalet Norte promises nothing less than Verbier's most sublime living experience, and on that, it will more than deliver. You arrive by private car, driven into the cavernous underground car park, which houses your precious vehicle during your stay. The lobby is spectacular; Priceless works of art adorn the walls, and unique furnishings speak of style and grandeur as your eye is drawn to the spectacular marble staircase, which runs through the chalet's four floors.

Although the staircase is beautiful, you are on vacation; here to be pampered and pampered, so why not take the elevator instead. Installed for your convenience, the elevator accesses all four floors and sets the stage for what will be an effortless experience for you and your guests. Apart from the effort of skiing, of course.

A holiday at Chalet Norte is unlike any other. Norte's vast footprint is full of spaces in which to spend the hours creating special vacation memories with those you love. The gym will give you the most inspiring work of your life while gazing at the mountain ranges.

The spa area is simply paradise and long after your departure your mind will return to this magnificent Eden with its superb heated indoor swimming pool. Sitting on the luxurious deep sofas of the relaxation area, sipping champagne, you watch the children revel in this aquatic paradise. You and your glass of champagne retire to the outdoor hot tub to bask in the late afternoon sun and here you truly relax and get ready for the next task at hand; a hot stone massage in one of the 4 massage rooms at your disposal.

Danny Frith is a director at SkiBoutique. SkiBoutique is a luxury ski chalet agency based in Switzerland. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to enhance your profile, please contact us.