Hôtel Le Royal Ours Blanc ★★★★

Known as ‘the island in the sunshine’ Alpe d’Huez enjoys an average of 300 sunny days per year, making it perfect for both active summer and winter breaks.

Think green mountain pastures, glistening lakes, fresh breezy air and bubbling mountain streams. Amongst all this you’ll see a cluster of traditional wooden chalets huddled around a church – all set against the magnificent Alpine scenery.

It’s here in this village that you’ll find the hotel Royal Ours Blanc (royal white bear), a unique and unusual wooden building dotted with balconies and porthole-like windows, towering up to the sky. Step inside into a chic and cosy reception area decorated in honeycomb hexagonal shapes and warming autumnal colours.

Bear paw prints lead the way to your room – a sleek space dressed in the same honeycomb patterns, bright colours of oranges, reds and yellows, and modern pine furniture. A private balcony offers you the chance to enjoy those spectacular mountain views and to fully escape into the Alpine landscape.

Winter may be the season that the Alps and Alpe d’Huez are most well known for, but summertime provides a whole different world to explore and a myriad of different adventures to try. Spend the morning hiking through the Alpine pastures or mountain biking down the slopes, followed by an afternoon round of golf, clay pigeon shooting or even exploring the gorgeous scenery by horseback.

What mountain retreat is complete without a spa in which to unwind and relax those muscles after a long day on the slopes? The hotel’s Les Thermes Spa is like an underground grotto dedicated to health and well-being. Start your session in the heated pool, followed by a bit of relaxation time in the sauna or steam bath. Perhaps end your time by unwinding further with a massage or treatment.

France is of course famous world wide for its excellent cuisine and the Alpine region too has its own distinct flavours and recipes. Many dishes include cheese, made from the rich Alpine pastures; game meat from the mountains such as goat, lamb and rabbit also feature heavily, as does fresh fish from the mountain lakes. After a busy adrenalin-fuelled day on the mountains we can think of nothing better than a traditional mountain feast at the cosy Royal Ours Blanc Restaurant. Dishes from the region include: Tartiflette – layers of melted cheese, potatoes, garlic and herbs; Raclette – melted cheese served with potatoes, pickles and thin strips of beef; cheese fondues; Lapin en cabessol – rabbit stuffed and cooked in white wine; and lamb stew.

Finish your day with your favourite drink in the hotel’s chic and comfy bar.