Lagrange Prestige Les Hauts de Comborcières ★★★★

In the lane snow is glistening...

I can see it, the snowflakes falling, thickly coating the street outside and turning my drizzly grey world into a magical land. Then the rubbish truck drives past, splashing a huge puddle onto a poor passerby and my vision melts into rain and city fog. That's it! I want a real winter holiday this year and for that I need snow, lots of snow! My partner seems incredibly easy to convince and the next thing I know we have gone ahead and booked our flights and are on our way to the French Alps! We are going to explore the beautiful region of the Savoy, not far from Lake Geneva. This time it isn't outside my flat back in England, it is here, surrounding the elegant and traditional hotel, rising up like a majestic castle chalet, offering a home from home in true luxurious style at the Lagrange Prestige Les Hauts de Comborcières.

When it snows ain't it thrilling, though your nose gets a chilling...

I am as excited as a child and I cannot wait to get out and play in the snow! But my man, ever rational, points out we can hardly abandon our luggage outside and suggests we get settled in first. I agree with a reluctant sigh. I soon have a change of spirit as we reach our apartment and, snow briefly forgotten; I walk into our bright, snug nest. Done with sophisticated simplicity, exposed wood, whitewashed walls, glowing lamps and an open plan kitchen and living area that boasts the usual modern accoutrements including a large flat screen television to snuggle up and watch a film as night falls. It is spacious, comfortable and adorable! Even the bathroom sink is set in a wooden cabinet with a wooden mirror above, making the entire place glow with warmth. I note happily that there is also a bathtub in which to soak after a day on the slopes.

In the meadow we can build a snowman...

No time to sleep now! The afternoon is well underway and I still want to go out and play! I manage to coax my love out of bed, into his coat and out into the thrilling cold where we build a magnificent snowman and then stand back to admire it, pleased as punch. Neither of us are great skiers, although we have both promised each other to give it our best shot. But not today. For now we are happy just frolicking in the glistening expanse of white.

Later on we'll conspire, as we dream by the fire...

Out of breath, red cheeked and blue lipped the sky has begun to darken and we hurry back into the hotel, which is now radiant with dozens of glinting, golden lights. Stamping the snow off our feet we have the same marvellous thought at the same time – the pool! What better way to thaw out than by taking a dip in the indoor heated swimming pool? As we arrive, kitted out in swimwear and toes still numb, the sight of the gleaming blue amongst the tall pillars gives us another shiver of delight and my entire body breathes a sigh of relief as I ease into the gorgeous warm water. It is some time later before we adjourn to our room to wash and change in order to go down to dinner. I am starving and cannot wait to try the gourmet hotel restaurant. We are informed, however, that we are a little early and kindly supplied with a glass of exquisite red wine to take by the great roaring stone fireplace while we wait. We are also offered a mouth watering selection of French cheeses which we gratefully devour, curled up together watching the flickering flames in silent contentment. I know we are sharing the same daydream, of our days to come together in this beautiful winter wonderland.