Le Refuge de Solaise: a unique experience in France's highest hotel

Head for Val d'Isère to spend the night in France's highest hotel. Situated at an altitude of 2,551 metres, at the top of the Solaise mountain, the Refuge de Solaise offers an immersion in the heart of the Alps and, as you can imagine, breathtaking views.

After a day on the slopes of Val d'Isère, one of France's most popular resorts, what would you say to a unique experience? To do so, you'll have to climb the 700 metre vertical drop aboard the Solaise Express gondola. It takes just ten minutes to reach the Refuge de Solaise, overlooking the Val d'Isère resort below.

Although the hotel is also open in summer, it is in winter, when the snow covers the entire valley and the Alpine peaks, that the scenery is at its most sensational.

Here, the former Solaise cable car station dating from 1939 has been converted into an exceptional place to live. At this altitude, the sun shines for much longer than in the resort, and the views over the Alps are truly breathtaking.

More than just a high mountain chalet, the Refuge is an invitation to discover traditional Alpine architecture, with its local stone walls, wooden beams and cladding, and gable roof reminiscent of traditional mountain roofing. Its large sun-facing terrace and huge picture windows overlooking the snow-capped mountains only serve to enhance the breathtaking views over the valley.

Inside the building, the spirit of the place has been preserved, as evidenced by the exposed metal structures of the old cable car. Right from the lobby, the tone is set: this is a chic hotel, with characterful, second-hand furniture and noble materials (leather, wool, velvet, etc.).

Up there, at the Refuge de Solaise, the charm is there from the first moment you step into one of the rooms, where chic and tradition meet. The warmth of the wood, the charm of the checked plaids, the designer furniture, the clawfoot bath... The rooms are elegant, warm and contemporary all at the same time. We love the industrial decor inspired by the 1940s. The checked carpet and woollen curtains have a great vintage look! And what better way to wake up in the morning than with a view of the glaciers...

The hotel has 16 rooms, as well as a dormitory and four flats. So you can come to Le Refuge as a romantic couple in a double room, or with your whole family in one of the family suites. And for very large families or getaways with friends, it is possible to share or privatise the 14-person dormitory, or why not, the 380-square-metre penthouse that can accommodate 18 people.

As for the restaurant, in the highest hotel in France, the view is bound to be breathtaking. And rest assured, the food is too. Facing the sublime bay window overlooking the valley, in the morning you can enjoy breakfast with your eyes riveted on the snow-capped mountains.

There are two restaurants on site: Chez Gigi, where Italian cuisine takes pride of place, and Le Petit Refuge, for a relaxed lunch with a varied menu.

As for the bar, you can spend a pleasant moment under the wooden frame of the Refuge bar, at the table over a board or by the fire with a nice hot chocolate.

How could we make this place even more attractive? Perhaps by telling you that there's also a 25-metre heated indoor swimming pool, a spa for a wellness break with massages and Exertier treatments based on mountain plants, a boutique, a lovely children's area - the Kid Room - with board games, table football, video games... You can even hire a baby sitter to look after your little monsters.

More than just a hotel, the Refuge de Solaise is a place where you can meet and socialise, immerse yourself in nature and totally disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the world below...