Chalet Albert-Luc

Elegance & Grace

With its beautiful bleached timber exterior, Chalet Albert-Luc beckons like an elegant wave of an ivory silk glove. It somehow looks like an Albert-Luc.

However, this is Verbier, the town of extremes. From the slopes to the parties, Verbier has a tendency towards the epic. Like the resort, Chalet Albert-Luc might have a veneer of sophistication and a waft of luxury but it is pretty well sorted out to enjoy an epic self-catering mountain holiday, the sort where you get back from the slopes, soak up the spa, cook up lavish dinners to share around the long table, and drink in the night air looking down over the village and up to the stars.

Interiors at Chalet Albert-Luc continue the serenity of whitened wood with whispers of classical 18th century Parisian grace but it is also reassuringly contemporary. The smoothly modern open-plan kitchen sleekly fits in to the light-filled living area, a glorious place to gather round the long central table while someone else is busy in the kitchen. French windows open onto a wide balcony that makes the most of the panorama while large sofas and warming colours hang out together at the other end of the light-filled room by the wood-burning fire place

On the lower ground floor, the spa area almost invites a party of its own. A pretty indoor swimming pool is adjacent to a spacious seating area with a sofa and vast bean bags. The restorative Hammam warms bodies chilled after those high altitude adventures and re-adjusts the intense dryness of the alpine air. Bliss.

Bedrooms are tranquil with white-washed timber and gentle colours. They continue the peaceful airy ambiance with high ceilings and a nod to minimalism. All five (three doubles, a twin and a quad bunk room) have their en suites, four of them with bath tubs.

We all know that Verbier is a sprawling ski town with a vibrant heart and awe-inspiring skiing. Within these parameters, Chalet Albert-Luc is handsomely situated, politely taking the needs of all levels of skiers into account and with outdoor parking space for two cars. The Savoleyres gondola is walkable (about 15 minutes) as is the Le Moulins button and nursery slope (about 10 minutes). Médran is a very short drive or a 20-minute walk. The restaurants around the base of the Savoleyres area are an easy walk away for an evening out without facing the mayhem of the Place Centrale at night. It is only 3 minutes’ drive for those who fancy it. This is, of course, Verbier.