back to top Introduction

Cut into the mountainside of Le Coupeau, one of Chamonix's more secret locations, the Hideaway is, as the name suggests, hidden. It is also hugely impressive: the building and its contents represent a fusion of three generations of architects and a discerning, well-travelled owner, and inside, everywhere you look you will be impressed. This is a chalet built with a directive in the place of a budget: to find the best of everything available. Massive research has gone into sourcing materials, and the resulting blend of stone-walling, stainless steel fittings and beams, and countless individual features is nothing short of astonishing, a colour-coordinated blend of rustic and ultra-modern. The Hideaway is impeccable.

back to top Location

We haven't named this chalet the Hideaway for nothing. Opposite Les Houches at the foot of the Chamonix valley, it is hidden a long way up a steep, winding road. A long way up. Though still comfortably below the tree-line, it is high enough to give a very different perspective on Mont Blanc to the one you see from the valley floor: it seems somehow both bigger and nearer, almost as if you could reach out and touch it. Apart from the occasional mountain rescue helicopter, it is just you and the mountain: the road outside doesn't go anywhere, so you won't see any traffic.

Also just a short walk from some of Chamonix's best single-pitch rock climbing, the chalet's foundations are literally carved from and bedded in the rock face which rises almost sheer behind the building. It is a fittingly dramatic backdrop that sits neatly juxtaposed with the ultra-modernity of the interior.

back to top Living Area

Various spaces in and around the chalet vie for your time and attention. The main floor holds a long hand-carved table perfect for a ten-person dinner. A luxurious sofa faces the unique central unit, housing a widescreen television directly over the log fire. Two roomy terraces give you ample outdoor space: one holds the hot tub, sun-loungers, the barbeque; the second a thick stone table solid enough for any Aslan. Where there could have been a sixth bedroom there is instead a fully-equipped office, on the top floor at the rear of the chalet, tucked away from the rest of the chalet, with its own private balcony that looks out over the hot tub terrace. Perfect for some remote work, or perhaps as a place to finally get going on that book.

While you won't fit a ten-person party around the fire and the TV – it is large enough for perhaps five or six – add in the gym, the sauna, the office, and all of the outside, and you'll find you're spoilt for choice.

back to top Dining

back to top Kitchen

The 'retro-modern' kitchen is a striking blend of white fittings offset by the heavy black central island – it isn't huge or a dominant feature, but it is everything you need to cook up a ten-person dinner. It is not, however, a higgledy-piggledy sprawl of jars and spoons, it is not a traditional chalet kitchen. It is an impeccably equipped and easy to use modern kitchen, the kind you might find in a penthouse apartment looking out over Tower Bridge.

back to top Home Gym

back to top Sauna

back to top Bedrooms

The main suite is perhaps the pièce de resistance of the entire chalet, and nowhere is the attention to fine detail more evident. It is all impressive: the huge bed; the standalone bath behind its up-lit glass shield; the custom cut electric blinds; the zebra-effect of the stained larch flooring; the three-tier insulation of the balcony doors. You will find perfection everywhere you look - which includes out of the window: for all that the room is wonderfully thought out, its best feature is six miles away. From the bed, from the bath, from the balcony, from this room Mont Blanc is totally compelling.

Though the master bedroom takes the cake, the least of the bedrooms would be at home in a top hotel. There are five in total, all doubles, and each displays the same astonishing attention to detail and exhaustive search for the perfect materials that is so evident throughout the chalet. Stainless steel light fittings provide luminance without glare. Ambient low-lights over the beds pop out of the wall to become adjustable reading lights.

back to top Master Suite

This suite dominates the top floor with huge glass windows that allow you to sit in the bath or lie in bed and watch the everchanging panorama of the Mont Blanc and Aiguilles mountains directly opposite.

back to top Master Suite Bath

There can be few bathtubs in the world that match the sheer drama of the view opposite.

back to top Master Suite Shower Room

Difficult to choose between a bracing shower in the morning and a relaxing bath after skiing...

back to top Office

If you really need to work whilst on holiday then this space is an ideal, fully equiped office.

back to top Terrace

back to top Open Air Spa

back to top Facilities

As if the main chalet isn't impressive enough, there are extensive options for anyone wanting a little extra. The sauna sits six in comfort and has its own impressive shower and bathroom. The outdoor hut tub extends, literally, from the rock face. The chalet is owned by a personal trainer, and should you fancy a warm-up before skiing or have any energy left after, there is a fully-mirrored compact gym with modern treadmill, bench with a comprehensive free-weights rack, and a great view of the mountains. Want somewhere to work, to read, to relax? The chalet has internet throughout, and the top-floor office has a large desk and private balcony.

back to top Services provided

Self Catered Option includes:

• Concierge service before and during your stay to help organise any services you might require such as ski pass purchase, transport etc

• A welcome at the chalet to explain how everything works as well as the chalet rules; a summary of what is going on in Chamonix and the best places to visit, rent skis, go out etc; a run through and confirmation of any services you may have pre booked with us such as guides, monitors, baby sitters etc

• 12 hours of housekeeping organised at a time most convenient to you.

Hotel Comfort Plan Includes:

• Concierge service before and during your stay to help organise the services included at the most convenient times for you as well as anyadditional services you might require such as ski pass purchase, transport, guides etc

• A welcome drink at the chalet to explain how everything works as well as the chalet rules; a summary of what is going on in Chamonix and the best places to visit, rent skis, go out etc; a run through and confirmation of any services you may have pre booked with us such as guides, monitors, baby sitters etc

• Daily housekeeping including a full change of linen and towels in the middle of your stay.

• Fresh fruit and flowers: an elegant bouquet, as well as a large bowl of fresh seasonal fruits will be present on your arrival.
• Bathroom Products: at the beginning of your stay a range of high quality bathroom products will be provided for each bathroom.

• Fridge filling and champagne: the fridge will be stocked with a variety of the finest local fare, so you can prepare a light meal on your arrival and enjoy your first breakfast without having to worry about shopping or bringing your own food. Do let us know if any of your group have special dietary requirements.

• Chocolates: A box of delicious local chocolates will be waiting for you upon arrival.

• Newspapers: every morning a daily newspaper of your choice will be delivered by the housekeeper.

• Breakfast

• Daily spa Servicing: The hot tub will be checked and rebalanced for you each morning.

• Breakfast: An extensive, wholesome continental breakfast will be delivered and presented each morning by your housekeeper.  Please  discuss with your concierge any specific requests you may have before your arrival.

Fully Catered

• We love providing a fully catered experience but prefer to work for each one of our guests individually creating the perfect bespoke holiday depending on the services you really want rather than what we imagine you would like..