Chalet Phoebe

Like an Old Friend

Chalet Phoebe has the pretty exterior - deep eaves, quaint wooden balconies - and the smart interior - warmed by real flames in a rustic fireplace - of a proper ski holiday chalet. It has perfected the art of welcoming a large party, sleeping twelve guests in six bedrooms, and providing the environment for that much-anticipated winter sojourn to the Alps. Everything is taken care of.

Situated in the Mussillon area of Méribel, it is surrounded by other large free-standing chalets and an easy walk into the centre of town. A driver service from 8am to 8pm every day means that does not have to be when you are carrying skis. The chalet rituals of afternoon tea, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, and a luscious 3-course dinner, will be served on five days of the week. A soak in the bubbles of the hot tub out on the deck as the sky turns dark and the outside air glistens has a fitting place in that end of ski day tradition, a seamless transition between afternoon tipple and evening apéritif.

Retreat before dinner to the sanctity of your bedroom, snug with walls of mellow timber and soft blankets. All six double bedrooms have en-suites and balcony access and three of them can convert to twins. Four are on the 1st floor, another on the floor below and the sixth up under the sloping roof. This might imply poky but it is not at all - that ceiling is high and the room is bright with a pretty balcony is private, a walk-in wardrobe and a walk-in shower. The other bedrooms have bathtubs with overhead showers.

Emerge fresh and ready for that apéritif before dinner is served. Who could say no, with the wood fire blazing in the spacious, wood-panelled living room? The old timber dining table is being set, people are gathering and the aroma from the kitchen tantalises. Maybe the younger members of the party have gathered downstairs in the privacy of the TV room with its deep sofas. Whether watching a movie or not, the opportunity to separate off for a while when the party is large can be one of the bonus of a dedicated TV room. Then dinner is served and everyone is gathered round that beautiful table, huge enough for the whole party. Another chalet holiday ritual indulgence kicks off. Everyone together, your ski holiday gang, dinner prepared by a skilled chef who has a way with whatever fresh locally sourced ingredients might be available. There are stories to tell and plans to make for tomorrow.