Le Refuge de Solaise – Val d’Isère, France
At Le Refuge de Solaise you have the mountains of Val d’Isère at the tips of your skis. Perched at 2,551 metres, it is one of the highest hotels in France, with the slopes quite literally on the doorstep. Make the first tracks each morning, then retreat to the peace and quiet of the mountain once the lifts have closed for the day. Formerly the arrival station of Val d’Isère’s first ski lift, Le Refuge has been transformed into a super chic mountain retreat, where contemporary style and traditional alpine design are mixed seamlessly.
Think velvet, leather and wool alongside stone, local wood and carefully chosen vintage pieces. Naturally, the views from up here are outstanding, with spectacular 360-degree panoramas across the surrounding peaks and down to Val d’Isère, 800 metres below. There’s a wonderful sense of being tucked away from the rest of the world, particularly once the last gondola has departed. Ski hire can be organised at the hotel and lift passes collected from reception, so everything you need for a day on the mountain is close at hand. Just make sure you don’t miss that last lift back up…
At A Glance
Boutique Hotel
Why We Love It:
An extraordinary mountain hideaway combining panoramic views, direct access to the slopes and the feeling of being completely removed from the outside world once the lifts close.Style:
Contemporary alpine chic.Location:
2551m up the mountain at the top of the Solaise lift, 800m above Val d’Isère – reachable only by bubble, skidoo or ski tour.Rooms:
16 rooms, 4 apartments & a 14 bed dormitory.Swimming:
Stunning spa with 25-metre swimming pool, 2 jacuzzis, sauna, Nordic bath and gym with beautiful mountain views.Children:
A family adventure awaits you at the Refuge.Ideal For:
A remote ski holiday experience. Feel in a world of your own.Open From:
December – May & June - September.Price:
Available on requestrooms
If a room with a view is your thing, Le Refuge de Solaise is hard to beat. From its extraordinary position high above Val d’Isère, huge picture windows frame spectacular mountain and valley views, while inside, stone and local wood are mixed with velvet, leather and wool to create a warm, contemporary take on alpine style. There are just 16 rooms and suites, ranging from the cosy 35m² Compétition rooms to the wonderfully spacious 68m² Olympique rooms, which sleep up to five and are a great choice for families.
Le Refuge also has four private apartments, sleeping from four to eighteen, making them a brilliant option for families and larger groups. They come with proper kitchens and generous living spaces, and some have fireplaces too, so you can enjoy a little chalet-style mountain living with all the benefits of staying in a hotel. A private chef can even be arranged on request in some apartments.
And, of course, no refuge would be complete without a dormitory. This one promises more than a touch of mountain luxury, with three double and eight single beds, two bathrooms and a separate loo. Sleeping up to 14, it’s a fun option for families or groups of friends who want to experience the proper high-altitude refuge spirit.
There are plenty of thoughtful extras too, from a gourmet buffet breakfast and a comforting snack after skiing to the in-room minibar and access to the fabulous wellness facilities. Ski lockers are available in the ski room and ski passes and equipment can also be organised, so getting out onto the mountain is as effortless as possible.
food
Since you can’t just pop out for dinner once the lifts have closed, it’s very good to know that Le Refuge takes its food seriously. Restaurant Le Refuge is all about generous, authentic Savoyard cooking, served either in the warmth of the restaurant or out on its huge sunny terrace, with those extraordinary mountain views as a backdrop.
On Saturday evenings there’s also a special Dinner Under the Stars, inspired by Alpine traditions and featuring favourites such as fondue and raclette.
For a more relaxed lunch on the mountain, Le Petit Refuge is the place for homemade pizzas, pasta and salads, all served in a laid-back setting overlooking the snowy peaks. And after a day on the slopes, Bar du Refuge is just where you’ll want to end up – warm, cosy and with uninterrupted mountain views, it’s a lovely spot to settle in for a drink or one of their expertly mixed cocktails.
activities
Naturally, the skiing is the biggest draw at Le Refuge. Perched right at the top of Solaise, you’re perfectly placed to get out onto the mountain each morning, with the slopes and all the adventures of Val d’Isère on your doorstep. Ski equipment and lift passes can be organised too, so there’s very little standing between you and that first run of the day.
The Spa is pretty special too. At its heart is an impressive 25-metre pool, alongside hot tubs, steam rooms, a panoramic sauna and hot and cold baths.
Le Refuge has also partnered with myBlend for a range of high-performance treatments, so tired ski legs are very well looked after. We particularly like the contrast therapy, where heat and cold are combined with those extraordinary mountain views – a rather wonderful way to recover after a day on the slopes.
But it’s the feeling of cosy isolation that really makes Le Refuge so special. Once the lifts close and the mountain quietens down, you fully appreciate just how extraordinary the setting is. With the peaks all around you and Val d’Isère far below, evenings here feel wonderfully removed from the rest of the world.
family
Le Refuge is most definitely family friendly and makes for a ski adventure that children won’t forget in a hurry. The rooms work brilliantly for smaller families, while the four apartments sleep from four right up to eighteen and give larger families plenty of space to spread out. Then there’s the fabulous 14-bed dormitory – surely one of the most fun places for a big family gathering or a group of friends to bed down for the night.
There’s a dedicated kids’ room too, and children aged four and over can make the most of a supervised play area after skiing, with games and activities running into the early evening on selected days. It means there’s still plenty going on once ski boots have come off – and gives parents a very good excuse to disappear to the Spa or settle in for a well-earned drink.
With the swimming pool, family-friendly accommodation and the excitement of staying right at the top of the mountain, Le Refuge turns a family ski holiday into a real adventure. Even getting there by gondola feels like part of the experience.
sustainability
Life at Le Refuge de Solaise is naturally shaped by its extraordinary mountain setting. Perched at 2,551 metres, the hotel feels very much part of the landscape, with local wood and stone bringing the character of the Alps indoors. In winter, guests arrive by the Solaise gondola rather than by car, and once you’re here, days revolve around exploring the mountains on skis or on foot. In the restaurant, there is also a focus on seasonal cooking and carefully chosen produce.
While Le Refuge does not publish a formal sustainability policy, there is a pleasing sense of simplicity to a stay here, with the surrounding mountains taking centre stage.
Location
Val d’Isère, France
2551m up the mountain at the top of the Solaise lift, 700m above Val d’Isère – reachable only by bubble, skidoo or ski tour. It boasts panoramic views over Val d’Isère yet it feels a world away.
