La Grange Au Merle

Wow wow wow. When it comes to luxury ski chalets, La Grange Au Merle is a masterpiece in making families feel spoilt rotten, thanks to the fabulous surroundings and boutique hotel services throughout the winter season. Just minutes from the Alpine resort of Chatel and the Portes du Soleil Ski area, this newly renovated 5-bedroom chalet will bring on gasps of glee, with its lavish log cabin character, roaring fire, breath-taking views, balcony hot tub and toasty sauna. From the minute families arrive, ‘The 3 C’’s’ will make sure everything is going to be effortless and exceptional – the Concierge, Chef and Chauffeur – plus the 4th C is the choice of childcare available, from a private nanny or babysitter to kids clubs and ski schools.

To make the most of the awesome mountain views, the magnificent first floor is the heart of the Chalet, with its double height, open plan living space, huge picture windows and French doors onto a south facing, wrap-around balcony. After an exhilarating day on the slopes, what could be better than having steaming hot chocolate, vin chaud and home-baked goodies by a roaring fire and sipping pre dinner drinks with canapes at the chalet’s cocktail bar? While guests enjoy some apres ski, the chef will be preparing a 4-course feast in the state-of-the-art kitchen, served with specially selected wines but younger children can also eat earlier at a special chef’s table. After dinner, children can settle down for onesie evenings in the cosy TV snug, watching DVD’s or playing with the toys, games, arts and crafts provided and when the little ones are tucked up in bed, parents can soothe away any aches and pains in the hot tub under the stars.
A hearty breakfast fuels up families for days of Alpine fun which may well start with snowman building and snowball fights in the chalet’s enclosed garden, especially for pre-schoolers staying with the nannies at the Snow Babes crèche. It could be tricky to tear away Disney’s Frozen fanatics from their very own Alpine playhouse, 'Crystal de Niege' but the nannies will also take youngsters on little outings in Chatel to go sledging, ice skating and have hot chocolates in the local cafes. For older children, Little Yetis and Mountain Lions kids clubs combine the chalet’s nanny service with professional ski lessons and plenty of fun activities. Grown-ups will be whisked off to the slopes by the chalet’s chauffeur, without wasting any time on the ski buses which is just as well when there’s a staggering 650kms of pistes to explore in the Portes du Soleil ski region! For beginners just coping with the nursery slopes and experienced pro’s, zipping down the black runs, everyone loves the apres ski and Chatel has plenty of lively bars, cafes and restaurants for swapping stories of the day’s thrills and spills.

Accommodation overview

La Grange au Merle is a luxurious 5-bedroom Alpine chalet for up to 12 people plus babies, with a professional chef, chauffeur, concierge and childcare throughout the ski season to ensure an effortlessly amazing experience. The chalet is set out over 4 floors, with a fabulous open plan living space on the first floor to take full advantage of the views over Chatel to the awesome snowy peaks. The chalet is finished in aged timber panels and smooth wood floors throughout, not just in the lofty, raftered living space but also in the rustic-chic fitted kitchen, the super cosy bedrooms and the five, luxury ensuite bathrooms. In the main living area, families can relax in elegant sofas and armchairs by an Alpine stone fireplace, gaze on the views over breakfast and dinner at the bespoke larch dining table for 12 and enjoy drinks from the well-stocked cocktail bar, all with some music on the Sonos sound system. French doors open onto a wrap-around south facing balcony to enjoy the Alpine sunshine or relax under the stars in a steamy hot tub. Also on the first floor, children may well lay claim to the cosy TV snug, with a 55” flat screen TV, DVD, toys, games, arts and crafts. The kitchen is rustic in character, with a traditional range oven but it also has all mod cons including a microwave, double fridge freezer, Nespresso coffee machine, dish washer and wine cooler. There is a separate laundry room and WC on this floor too. One of the chalet’s 6 bedrooms, Le Grenier, is tucked under the eaves on the top floor mezzanine, with a double bed and ensuite bathroom, adjacent to the chalet’s library. The remaining bedrooms are on the ground floor and all have ensuite bathrooms/shower-rooms – Le Crocus is a double/twin room with access to a balcony; Le Thym is a double/twin room with access to the garden; Les Marmottes is another double/twin room; and Les Pommes is a family suite comprising a double bedroom with access to a balcony and a children’s room with hand crafted bunk beds. The bunk room and 3 of the other bedrooms have space for a cot, with 2 travel cots and 1 wooden cot available, plus 2 foldaway beds for small children. ‘The Caves’ at the chalet is not just a wine store but a proper wine cellar where grown-ups can sample and savour the carefully chosen wines of the region. For kids who can’t get enough of the snow, the chalet has an enclosed garden for building snowmen as well as an Alpine playhouse and an outdoor dining area with a barbecue for the summer season.