Aphylla

You might be head over heels

After months of listening to friends telling you about the wonders of this picturesque mountain village with beautiful slopes, perfect for avoiding the crowds, you decided to pay a bit more attention. Something about being able to ski Courchevel on Monday, Val Thorens on Tuesday and Meribel on Wednesday caught your attention. St Martin de Belleville has you captivated. 

Your friends, Les Trois Vallées regulars, with a love affair for this charming village, have finally persuaded you to join them. Reassured of its slower pace of life, just perfect for that favourite family week, exuding Savoyard charm amongst working farms and sympathetically restored agricultural buildings, you are swept off of your feet. There is only thing for it and you know just where you will be finding your perfect chalet. 

You have spent the past five years dropping suitably exciting hints about all things ski related to ensure that the next generation are also fanatical skiers. You have every purple and green layer imaginable for every potential weather forecast that could make or break her love of all things snow. Despite the early start and the delayed flight, you are relieved to hear the clamber of excitement with her first glimpse of snow.

You were right. Your friends in high places assured you that you wouldn’t be lifting a finger in making this the most effortless ski holiday in history. Driving into Villarabout, a quaint little village only a two minute chauffeured drive from St Martin de Belleville, nerves are instantly calmed by the air of tranquillity and typical French village vibe. You are only seconds away from Chalet Aphylla but you sense that it is going to more than live up to the perfect chalet promise.  

As the light starts to fade, your first glimpse of Chalet Aphylla is one of beauty. You feel you might have already succumbed to the charm of St Martin de Belleville. Standing proudly in front of you is a chalet nestled into the snow. Harmoniously blending the look of a traditional chalet whilst ensuring you know that inside, is a contemporary yet cosy haven. That sun terrace is certainly your kind of way of soaking up not only the Alpine rays but also those uninterrupted Alpine vistas. You know exactly where you’ll be found tomorrow afternoon if the forecast lives up to its promise of glorious sunshine.

Arriving into Chalet Aphylla’s splendid living area your first impression is one of jaw-dropping views and light. You might temporarily not notice the faux cowhide wall, the large sumptuous sofas or the glass-fronted log fire. This is one of those rooms where you just need to take a moment, to breathe it all in and let the city go. You know that you have found peace. 

The décor at Chalet Aphylla is subtle but luxurious. Collapsing into one of the considerable sofas to the sound the crackle of logs, will most certainly be your idea of bliss after the next couple of days trying to remind your legs how to ski. However, don’t forget to turn around and see the heart of the home, Chalet Aphylla’s dining room. On a ski holiday, the World is put to rights around mealtimes. It is where campaigns for the day are planned, piste maps are thrown down to assess territories and success stories are regaled over five course feasts. 

Whilst the friendly and professional team welcome you home, George and Martha are off. For any four year old, finding their haven out of the four luxurious bedrooms for the week is of upmost importance. The squeals of delight tell you that they and their myriad of marmottes, tractors and chamois have found their room for the week. A superking bed that can be divided into two twin beds is surely the ultimate sleep over for any future Alpine pro. 

Fortunately for you, you have been guided to your sanctuary for the week. Chalet Aphylla knows how to exemplify the peace and tranquillity you so desperately seek. For the next seven nights this is all yours. There will be no tractors, no discarded socks and no care in the World. Instead, for you, Chalet Aphylla has lined up beautiful neutral tones and decadent fabrics, your private mezzanine snug and an indulgent king sized bed. Gazing out down the valley, it won’t be long until tomorrow morning when you’ll be whisked to 2,400m, with the whole of Les Trois Vallées at your gloved fingertips. These are the weeks where memories are made.

Fast forward six days and this beautifully crafted property will have found the perfect balance to ensure you want to return year after year. Chalet Aphylla will have been the whole party’s retreat for the week. From when the children’s boundless energy radiated throughout the wooden walls and onto bedtime, when Chalet Aphylla transformed into a haven of serenity for parents. Nothing can beat a crackling fire for a dreamy, relaxing evening.

For now, don’t think about the anguish that comes tomorrow when your chauffeur pulls up outside and Geneva looms. However for the first time in a very long time, it's a rather magical feeling knowing exactly where you'll be returning to next winter. Thank you Chalet Aphylla.