Luxury is a word bandied around a lot in hospitality, but my stay at the Hotel Barrière Les Neiges in Courchevel has convinced me of what I already knew—more than state-of-the-art amenities or a covetable location (although Barrière certainly checks both boxes), luxury is firmly found in the details.
After a glorious morning of shooping around the Three Valleys' plethora of pistes with our private ski instructor, we sat down on the terrace of the newly-opened Lou Lou Restaurant to refuel. The second we plopped down onto the plush outdoor banquettes, the waiters set down steaming bowls of homemade vegetable soups that we slurped down gratefully.
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This level of discreet, anticipatory service was extended all over our experience at the heritage French resort. Towels in the full-service spa are replaced the moment one is used, ski gear are prepped and gloves are toasted as you arrive at the luxurious ski room (complete with a snack bar with daily-changing pastries and coffee might I add).
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The no-request-is-too-much level of service is what earned this French institution its “Palace” rating, a prestigious label awarded by Atout France, the French government's tourism development agency, to five-star hotels offering the highest level of service to their customers, of which there are only 31 in all of France.
The Barrière group itself is well-known in France for its luxurious hotels and casinos, perhaps most famously for the iconic Fouquet's on the Champs-Elysees. Despite it being a French institution and its international reputation, the group is still run by its fourth-generation family members, which translates to welcoming, family spirit of Hotel Barrière Les Neiges.
Any flashiness that forms Courchevel 1850's reputation is left at the door. Instead, we were greeted by the inside of a chalet with a roaring fireplace. The hotel manager was particularly proud to point out that guests are never asked to check in at a formal reception, but rather are whisked straight into the drawing room to check in leisurely as their bags are immediately whisked upstairs.
Indeed, the cosiness extends to their newly renovated restaurant Loulou's which re-opened its doors on December 6 this year. The entire restaurant is blanketed in wood, like an intricate burr puzzle with stunning Alpine motifs. Offering a diverse menu of Mediterranean-French classics, my fellow travellers and I had to map out our meals just to make sure to taste all the signature dishes during our stay, from the fragrant truffle pizza to the sumptuous scallops. For those looking for an authentic après-ski experience, Loulou also offers “Le diner Savoyard” which includes traditional French raclette and fondue. Indulgent? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.
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However you choose to tackle the menu, be sure to leave room for the expansive dessert buffet where you'll find everything from chocolate mousse to lemon tart to tiramisu. Good luck making that decision.
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After fully taking advantage of Loulou's, it was time to retreat to the bedroom. All 42 of Barrière Les Neiges' rooms and suites feature expansive views of the mountains with sun-drenched terraces, making it near impossible to wake up grumpy. The perfect blend of modern comfort and Alpine cosiness, the bathrooms were designed with women's needs in mind (wide counters, plenty of shelving, steam shower, Hermès bath products, the list goes on…), the spacious closets allow you to air out all your skiwear after a long day on the slopes, and the full bar stocked with everything from Krug champagne to truffle cashews ensures you'll never go hungry or thirsty.
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As I popped on the skis that the friendly valets laid out for me at the hotel's ski-in-ski-out entrance and took off on the scenic Bellcote run towards the chair lift just a few seconds below, I couldn't help but feel like I found a little slice of snowy heaven.
