Le Grand Aigle Hôtel & Spa ★★★★

The scent of varnished pine and the characteristically friendly mountain hospitality envelop you on arrival at The Grand Aigle Hotel & Spa. The contemporary interiors, filled with exposed stone, snow-white calls and blond wood, have breathed new life into the hotel. Though the hotel is family-friendly, the public spaces are calm and quiet; all sounds muffled by rich curtains and deep soft furnishings. We were welcomed by a cheery, accommodating member of the concierge, who showed us to our room.

We passed through the bar, an inviting spot to unwind and rest weary legs after a long day in the mountains: carefully crafted cocktails and restorative herbal teas are offered while guests sit back and meditate on the stunning beauty of the peaks beyond. Our room was the perfect balance of contemporary style and luxurious comfort; accents in chocolate brown and rich red nod to traditional Alpine décor; though with both complimentary Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV, the hotel clearly has one foot firmly in the present.

After freshening up in our well-proportioned, grey stone bathroom, we ventured out into the town to explore and work up an appetite before dinner. Following a day of exploring the resort’s string of several old villages along the valley floor, we returned to our glamorous nest and enjoyed an aperitif in the cosy bar before dinner.

There is no fixed menu in the restaurant at The Grand Aigle, rather each day the chef whips up different dishes. However, one thing is consistent: the traditional French fare makes good use of fresh seasonal produce selected from the best farms in the area, and is inspired by the hotel’s principal values, quality and simplicity. We retired to the bar once more for some warming port, and were surprised and delighted to be offered a small plate of chocolates alongside our digestif.

At the end of the day, there’s no nicer way to unwind than with a soak and a steam in the in-house spa. To ease those weary legs, choose a therapeutic massage or relaxing facial in the atmospheric mountain spa. In a varied, family-friendly resort, which boasts both modern facilities and traditional hospitality, there is no destination superior to The Grand Aigle Hotel & Spa for a cool, calming and contemporary Alpine getaway.