Skiers plying the Trois Valéees will be aware of the Belleville valley below the purpose-built resorts of Val Thorens (ugly) and les Menuires (even uglier). Few, however, venture down to 1450m where the pretty village of St-Martin nestles in splendid seclusion, despite its 8-seater bubble lift link with the vast ski domain.
All new construction in the village is obliged to follow the style of its original farm chalets. The result is that the whole place positively radiates a folksy Alpine charm. The Hotel St-Martin is a particularly attractive example of this architectural discipline. You ski straight into its top floor where Le Grenier restaurant has a fabulous sun-trap terrace. It is open for dinner, too, but hotel guests dine in the equally atmospheric Salle à Manger on the ground floor. The cuisine has a fine reputation for Savoyarde Nouvelle Vague cooking.
The owner, Gilberte Olive, designed the interior and it looks terrific – rustic chic brought right up to date. There is a mini-club for non-skiing children as well as a small spa. All this comes at a price but, given the location, it’s worth every penny. The rates (obligatory half-board is no hardship) vary according to room size, with all but the base-rate rooms having a balcony. Suite and Charme accommodations are duplexes (bedroom under the eaves at mezzanine level).
Book early! It’s that good.