Chamonix: hotels and chalets

Expert guide to Chamonix

1. Overview

2. Ski area

3. Hotels

4. Restaurants

5. Après ski

6. Snow reports

The spread out nature of Chamonix's ski areas means it's a good idea to think about which of them you'll spend most time at before deciding on where to stay. Powderhounds may prefer to stay in quieter Argentière for easy access to the Grands Montets for example, while staying in out of town Les Houches best suits intermediates. There are accommodation options for all budgets in the traffic-free and more lively resort centre. New for this winter, La Folie Douce, well-known for its Alpine apres-ski bars, has chosen Chamonix for its first hotel with doors opening in December 2018. Situated in the former Savoy Palace hotel it will offer 250 rooms, three restaurants, spa, heated outdoor pool  and, inevitably, an apres-ski bar with live music and DJs (open from 5pm to 8pm). 

Prices are per person, based on two sharing a double or twin, for seven nights, unless otherwise stated.

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Gite Le Belvédère in Argentière

A favourite of shoestring skiers and snowboarders, Gite Le Belvédère in Argentière is a Chamonix crash pad, five minutes’ walk from the Grands Montets cable car station. Accommodation ranges from a bed in a dorm to en suite doubles, and evening meals are also cheap. From €26 euros per person, per night. Breakfast €6, two-course evening meal €16.

Le Vert Hotel

On the edge of Chamonix (Route des Gaillands) Le Vert Hotel is an eco-alert ski base camp in an old building, but with a young ambience, and has good rooms at a reasonable price, a shop, bar, restaurant and a fun atmosphere. Rooms from €80 B&B.

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Hotel Gustavia

Situated in the centre of Chamonix, the Gustavia is a relaxed and informal hotel with elegant and simply furnished rooms, great service and good food. The hotel is also home to the Chambre Neuf bar, said to be one of the best après in Chamonix, which hosts live music. The rooms on the third and fourth floors of the hotel have been renovated for the 2018/19 winter from £711 half board, including flights and transfers with Crystal Ski Holidays.

Refuge Les Aiglons

For a comfortable modern hotel near the Aiguille du Midi lift try Refuge Les Aiglons which has a heated outdoor pool, a good spa and a garage. There's a good restaurant la Table du Refuge on the premises. From £919 half board, including Channel crossing with Ski Line.

Grands Montets

In Argentière the Grand Montets is a well-run b&b chalet-hotel next to the Grands Montets cable car station. For slopeside convenience, this is as good as it gets in Chamonix. From £1,110 half board, including flights and transfers with Ski Solutions.

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Chalet Valhalla

Sleeping 12 to 16 and situated in a peaceful and scenic position, the Chalet Valhalla is within walking distance of the town centre. From £13,650 for a week, chalet board, based on 12 adults sharing including airport transfers, with Collineige.

Mont Blanc

The old lady of Chamonix’s grand hotels, with a plum central location. Mont Blanc offers comfort combined with high-ceilinged urban opulence – there’s a good spa and restaurant Le Matafan. From £1,878 b&b including flights and transfers with Ski Independence.