“One thoughtful detail immediately sets the tone. As the hotel is not accessible by car, guests make the final approach carrying nothing more than a small backpack while the hotel team discreetly transports every suitcase from the village to the refuge. The moment you arrive, life slows down.

The refuge immediately felt different from any luxury hotel I had stayed in before. With only twenty rooms, it has the intimacy of a private mountain home, yet offers every comfort you could wish for. Beautifully designed rooms, a cosy lounge, a panoramic terrace, a serene spa and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc… everything encourages you to slow down and simply enjoy where you are.

My room overlooked the surrounding mountains, where horses and cows wandered freely through the meadows. The only sound was the continuous ringing of cowbells carried by the breeze.

The spa was the perfect way to unwind after our day in the mountains. But Caroline wasn’t quite finished surprising us. She had secretly organised a bowling tournament.

Hidden beneath this peaceful mountain refuge is a beautifully designed professional bowling lane, probably one of the most unexpected places I’ve ever played.

It perfectly reflected the atmosphere of the refuge. Sophisticated, relaxed & joyful.

Dinner was every bit as memorable. The chef bakes his own bread every day, while many ingredients come from the surrounding mountain farms. Even the cheese served that evening came from the neighbouring farm whose cows had been providing the soundtrack to our afternoon.

As the sun slowly disappeared behind the surrounding peaks, we enjoyed dinner overlooking the mountains through the restaurant’s large panoramic windows. Conversation flowed easily, and everything simply felt connected.

Officially, Refuge chez la Tante is a four-star property. Operating a luxury hotel at 1,850 metres requires extraordinary logistics and inevitably comes with a few constraints. Every member of the team must travel up from the valley each day, making certain five-star services, such as 24-hour room service, simply unrealistic.

Personally…It earned a fifth star in my heart.”

– Reviewed by French Promise team member, Agnès, Scott