Unbelievable Chalet in the French Alps: Breathtaking Views & Luxury Await!
Unbelievable Chalet in the French Alps: Holy Moly, It's Actually Unbelievable! (And Some Rants!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through the "Unbelievable Chalet" in the French Alps. And let me tell you, the name is… well, it's got a point, but also… a little bit of hyperbole going on. Let's dive in, shall we? (And yes, I'm still recovering from the sheer altitude of the place).
Accessibility - Oh, That Slippery Slope (Literally)!
- Accessibility: This is where things get a tiny bit… tricky. The Chalet says it's aiming for accessibility, and the elevator is a godsend, don't get me wrong. However, the paths leading to the elevator? Uh, think cobblestones, uneven walkways, and the occasional sneaky incline. I’d rate it a 7/10 overall for accessibility. It's trying, bless its heart.
- Wheelchair Accessible: See above. Some are, some aren't. Be sure the right person helps your family at the front so you get the right room. I got mine, and I could wheel around the place easily.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: A mixed bag. The restaurants themselves are mostly accessible, but navigating the paths to get there? See previous bullet point.
Internet, Glorious Internet (and the Occasional Cranky Moment):
- Internet Access: The Wi-Fi is great.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! YES! Thank the heavens.
- Internet [LAN]: Did I use it? Nope. Did I know it was there? Barely. But hey, points for trying to be cutting-edge!
- Internet Services: Fast enough to be streaming the whole time.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Solid, and I definitely caught up on my Insta-stalking while pretending to be looking at the view… don't judge me!
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, Finding Zen Amongst the Mountains):
My God, the SPA!
Let me tell you, the day I had the body wrap was… something else. It's like being a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but you are still a giant human. I then went into the Steamroom, and I almost fell asleep. It's like being in a cloud, then I did the foot bath, and went into the sauna. The sauna was hot.
- Body scrub: I wasn't able to have a body scrub, but I heard great reviews about it.
- Body wrap: I was able to have a body wrap, it was great.
- Fitness Center: It was a little small, but it had everything you needed to keep you in shape.
- Foot bath: I had a foot bath. It was great.
- Gym/Fitness: It wasn't overly crazy, but it had everything that you needed.
- Massage: Yes, the masseuse was very good, and I slept the entire time.
- Pool with view: YES. The best for a pool.
- Sauna: Great Sauna, I would come back just for this.
- Spa: Amazing Spa.
- Spa/sauna: YES
- Steamroom: Yes, I slept for 1 hour.
- Swimming pool: Great pool, well-kept, and cleaned often.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Great pool.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Food, Glorious Food… and the Occasional Hangry Episode):
- A la carte in restaurant: Amazing!
- Alternative meal arrangement: I saw the chefs were accommodating for the vegan and vegetarian meals.
- Asian breakfast: I had a traditional Asian breakfast, and it was delicious.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Amazing!
- Bar: I was there almost all day!
- Bottle of water: Yes! It gives you a bottle of water in the room.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A great breakfast buffet.
- Breakfast service: Amazing.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes, it's there.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Great coffee!
- Coffee shop: Awesome coffee shop.
- Desserts in restaurant: Amazing!
- Happy hour: It's every day!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Yes, great.
- Poolside bar: YES! Drinks and snacks at the pool.
- Restaurants: Great restaurants there.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes!
- Salad in restaurant: Great salads.
- Snack bar: Good snack bar.
- Soup in restaurant: Yes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Yes, there is a vegetarian restaurant on site.
- Western breakfast: Great western breakfast.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, You Know, Life):
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Not my area of expertise, but I smelled clean!
- Breakfast in room: Yes!
- Breakfast takeaway service: Yes!
- Cashless payment service: Yes!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes!
- Doctor/nurse on call: Yes!
- First aid kit: Yes!
- Hand sanitizer: Yes!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: It was clean!
- Hygiene certification: I didn't see the certificates, but it felt clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes!
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Yes!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes!
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Yes!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes!
- Safe dining setup: Yes! Very nice!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yes!
- Shared stationery removed: Yes!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes!
- Sterilizing equipment: Yes!
Services and Conveniences (The Perks of Being Pampered):
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes!
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Yes!
- Business facilities: Yes!
- Cash withdrawal: Yes!
- Concierge: They are amazing!
- Contactless check-in/out: Amazing and convenient.
- Convenience store: Yes!
- Currency exchange: Yes!
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Doorman: Yes!
- Dry cleaning: Yes!
- Elevator: Yes!
- Essential condiments: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: See the accessibility section.
- Food delivery: Yes!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Yes!
- Indoor venue for special events: Yes!
- Invoice provided: Yes!
- Ironing service: Yes!
- Laundry service: Yes!
- Luggage storage: Yes!
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes!
- Meetings: Yes!
- Meeting stationery: Yes!
- On-site event hosting: Yes! Amazing!
- Outdoor venue for special events: Yes!
- Projector/LED display: Yes!
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes!
- Seminars: Yes!
- Shrine: Yes, there is a shrine.
- Smoking area: Yes!
- Terrace: Yes!
- Wi-Fi for special events: Yes!
- Xerox/fax in business center: Yes!
For the Kids (Because, Let's Face It, They're Demanding):
- Babysitting service: Yes!
- Family/child friendly: YES!
- Kids facilities: Yes!
- Kids meal: Yes!
Access (Getting In, Getting Out, and Avoiding the Goat Trails): Still, not the best.
- CCTV in common areas: Yes!
- CCTV outside property: Yes!
- Check-in/out [express]: Yes!
- Check-in/out [private]: Yes!
- Couple's room: Yes!
- Exterior corridor: Yes!
- Fire extinguisher: Yes!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yes!
- Hotel chain: Yes!
- Non-smoking rooms: Yes!
- Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed: No pets.
- Proposal spot: Yes, it would be an amazing proposal spot!
- **Room decorations
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-manicured travel itinerary. This is the unfiltered, slightly-chaotic, and utterly real diary of my trip to a chalet in Villarodin-Bourget, Modane, France. Let's get messy, shall we?
Villarodin-Bourget: Operation "Get Away From Everything (Except Maybe My Own Brain)" - A Hot Mess of a Plan
(Pre-Trip Ramblings - Days Before Departure, Swirling Coffee and Existential Dread)
Right, so France. Mountains. Chalet. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? Well, that's probably a damn lie. I'm sure there will be a fly in the ointment, a rogue sock in the washing machine, or a rogue thought of “What is the meaning of life?”. Packing is already a disaster. I swear, every time I attempt to fold a sweater, I end up staring into the abyss of my own closet. I've convinced myself I NEED three different types of hiking boots, even though I'll probably spend most of the time whining about my aching feet. Then there is the food. Am I going to be cultured and try the local cheeses or just eat the same old crap? Hmm.
(Day 1: Arrival - Hitting the Ground (and Literally Bumping Into Things))
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up in a state of low-level panic. Did I pack the passport? The crucial chargers to the phone? I think so.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Taxi chaos, traffic jams, airport security (because apparently, my internal wiring is apparently a threat to the security of the world).
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Finally on the plane. The woman next to me is eating something that smells suspiciously like fish. I'm already considering faking a sudden, urgent bladder issue.
- Afternoon (7:00 PM): Arrival at Lyon Airport, France. Feeling like I could possibly die of exhaustion.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Pick up rental car. Ah, French roads… they're like the wild west. Driving on the right side of the road is an adventure in itself. Almost ran over a flock of chickens. (Just kidding…mostly).
- Evening (10:00 PM): Arrive in Villarodin-Bourget. HOLY MOLY, this chalet is GORGEOUS. Like, magazine-cover gorgeous. But let’s be real…the cleaning lady probably hates me because I was already spilling wine. I have to remember where I put the keys.
(Day 2: Finding my Feet (and Probably Getting Lost))
- Morning (9:00 AM): Wake up, because sunshine is a cruel mistress. The view from the window is breathtaking. A mountain village.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Attempt to make coffee. Fail miserably. French coffee machines are like puzzles created by sadists. (Must find a decent cafe, ASAP).
- Morning (11:00 AM): Head into the nearest town. The first sign of French people. I'm already fumbling with my terrible French. I want cheese and bread but I’m not sure I can get past “Bonjour”.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch: finally, bread and cheese! And a nice glass of wine. So this is what heaven tastes like. Decided that I love French people.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Hike. OK, maybe I should have listened to that pre-trip advice. Mountains are tiring. The fresh air is amazing. And I’m definitely going to need ice packs.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Back at the chalet, collapsing into a comfy chair like a defeated warrior. Cook some pasta, pour another glass of wine, and wonder who designed this kitchen and made it so confusing.
(Day 3: Ski Day… or More Like "Slightly Slower Than a Glacier" Day)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up with a slightly sore back. This is going to be a long day. Breakfast, more coffee (still struggling).
- Morning (9:00 AM): Head to nearby ski resort. The crisp mountain air and glistening slopes are so beautiful… and also, terrifying.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Discover that my "expert ski skills" are more like "expert bum-sliding skills." I spend more time on my backside than on my skis. Some kid skied past me yelling “Grandma!”. Rude.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch break. The hot chocolate is good, and there's a guy with a very impressive beard.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Back at the slopes. More falls. More laughter (mostly from other people). My skis are now my enemies.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Return to chalet, soaked and humiliated but also exhilarated. Drink mulled wine. Eat cheese. Pretend I’m an experienced skier.
(Day 4: Cheese, Culture, and Existential Crisis) - A Deep Dive Into the Heart of France (and My Own Mind)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Need coffee, again. More coffee than anything else these days.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Visit a local cheese shop. Oh. My. God. I have never seen so much cheese in one place. The smells, the textures, the sheer temptation… I may need a bigger suitcase. Spent 30 mins chatting with the cheese master.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Feast! A picnic with all the cheese I can eat. It's heaven.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Wander around the local village square. Try to grasp a bit of the history and culture. It turns out there are a lot of war memorials.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Wonder why I’m feeling so melancholic, for no reason. Perhaps it's the mountains, the isolation, the general pondering of existence. Or maybe it’s just the post cheese-coma blues.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Make dinner. Maybe I should call friends and family, maybe I shouldn't. Let's see how that goes. End up with a feeling of peace. Maybe it's the wine.
(Day 5: The “OMG, I Love This Place” Day)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Decide that I need to hike into the mountains. No more of this “I’m not fit enough” rubbish.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Hike. It’s hard. The views are worth it. The air is so crisp.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Picnic lunch. Another incredible view. I could live here.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Return to Chalet, utterly destroyed. Feel very happy!
- Evening (7:00 PM): Tonight. I'm going to have a bath. I'm going to have a very LONG bath.
(Day 6: Day Trip - Exploring the Unexpected)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Decide to drive somewhere. Anywhere. The car is my friend.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Get spectacularly lost. Discover a tiny village.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Randomly eat a delicious lunch. It's the simple things, right?
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Wander.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at the chalet. Feel content.
(Day 7: Departure - Back to Reality (Hopefully Slightly Better))
- Morning (8:00 AM): Pack. (Mostly). Pray I don’t forget anything important.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Last look at the view. Wish I could stay.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Car chaos again. Airport. Plane.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Home. Jet lag. Sleep. Remember the cheese.
Post-Trip Reflections: (A Week Later, Still Slightly Lost)
Okay, so France was… intense. The mountains were stunning, the food was divine, and my French is still garbage. I fell a lot. I ate a lot of cheese. I had a moment where I thought I accidentally kidnapped a kitten. (I didn’t.) Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Did I find myself? Not sure. But I did find a whole lot of cheese, and that’s good enough for me. And let’s be honest, a little mess is good for the soul.
Dalmatian Dream: Your Private Pool Villa in Baska Voda Awaits!
Unbelievable Chalet in the French Alps FAQ – Because Let's Be Honest, You Have Questions!
Okay, so is the view REALLY as good as the pictures? I mean, come on...
Alright, alright, let's be real. You've seen the pictures, haven't you? That impossibly perfect panorama of snow-capped peaks and fluffy clouds? Listen, I'm a cynical New Yorker, so believe me, I went in already bracing for disappointment. But... and this is a big BUT… Yes. It's better. Seriously! One morning, I stumbled out onto the balcony (still half-asleep, hair a mess, looking like a deranged yeti in my oversized fleece) and just *gasped*. It was like someone had photoshopped a postcard *onto* the real world. Even my grumpy teenager, who lives in a permanent state of eye-rolling, admitted it was "kinda cool." Kinda. That's high praise, folks. The air is crisp, the silence is incredible (except for the occasional rogue cowbell, which, admittedly, I found a little… *much* sometimes), and the sheer scale of it all just… *smacks* you in the face. So, yeah. Believe the hype. And maybe pack some sunglasses. You'll need them. Because the sun is BRUTAL up there. And the mountains… they’re *glorious*.
What about the "luxury" part? Is it all just fancy furniture and no heart?
Ah, the fine line between "luxury" and "overpriced, cold, and soul-crushing." Believe me, I've seen both. But this chalet? It feels… different. Okay, the furniture IS ridiculously stylish (I almost tripped over a chair designed by someone who clearly understands the meaning of "minimalist"), and the bathrooms are bigger than my apartment back home. But the luxury isn't just about the *stuff*. It's in the details. Like, that ridiculously comfy bed that makes you want to weep with joy after a long day of skiing (or, you know, just *existing*). Or the fireplace that crackles like a perfectly curated ASMR video. Or the fact that someone, somewhere, *actually* thought about the perfect lighting for a late-night wine and cheese situation on the balcony (thank you, whoever you are!). There's a warmth to the place, a feeling that you can actually relax and, wait for it, enjoy yourself. And yes, there's a giant jacuzzi. Okay, maybe the heart is a little… jacuzzi-shaped. But hey, I'm not complaining! Though I *did* get a little paranoid after a particularly *vigorous* soak. Thought a mountain lion maybe had me. Turns out it was just the wind. It was very cold.
Is it actually good for families, or is it all just for posh couples on a romantic getaway?
Alright, let's be brutally honest: my teenagers? They weren't exactly thrilled about the idea of spending a week in the Alps. You know, no Wi-Fi (that's a lie - there's Wi-Fi, but they *pretended* there wasn't to guilt me – evil geniuses), no familiar fast-food, and, gasp, actual *sunshine*. They were convinced they'd be bored out of their minds. And while, yes, there were some initial grumblings (mostly involving the excruciatingly early wake-up calls for ski lessons and the lack of decent internet speed), they *actually* ended up loving it. The chalet has a great game room. There's tons of space for kids (and adults) to spread out. We've literally never been better. It was, dare I say, bonding time. My husband kept falling into the snow, my daughter kept rolling her eyes, and my son kept eating cheese fondue. We even built a snowman. A half-assed, lopsided snowman, but a snowman nonetheless! So, yes, families are welcome. Just pack some snacks and prepare for teenage eye-rolls. And maybe a good pair of waterproof gloves. Because trust me, you *will* need them. And don't forget the ibuprofen. The altitude is sneaky.
Okay, the skiing. Is it any good? Be honest!
Look, I'm not exactly a ski pro. I'm more of a "try not to fall down and break something" kind of skier. My skills? Limited. But the skiing itself? Stunning. The slopes are vast, the snow is perfect (when it's cooperating, which, let's be honest, is never a guarantee in the mountains), and the views… well, you already know about the views. They're ridiculous. Even when I was face-planting in the powder (which, let's be honest, was a regular occurrence), I could still appreciate the sheer beauty of the place. And the après-ski scene? Don't even get me started. Hot chocolate, mulled wine, cheesy music (that I secretly loved), and a general atmosphere of blissful post-ski exhaustion. Pure. Gold. Though, watch out for the slippery floors in the bars after a few too many drinks! Nearly took out a waiter *and* a group of Canadians on my way out. Embarrassing... but also hilarious.
What's the biggest downside? There has to be *something*…
Alright, here's the (slightly) bad news. Getting there can be a bit of a trek. Flights, transfers, winding mountain roads… it's not exactly a hop, skip, and a jump. And, let's be real, the price tag isn't exactly budget-friendly. But is it worth it? Absolutely. Also, the isolation can be a little… well, isolating. You're in the middle of nowhere, which is fantastic if you want to escape the world. But if you're the type who needs constant access to a bustling metropolis, this might not be your thing. Oh, and the altitude. It can sneak up on you. I spent the first two days feeling like I'd run a marathon, even though I'd barely walked to the fridge. And don't even *think* about ordering pizza delivery. It's not happening. But, honestly? Those are minor quibbles. The peace, the beauty, the sheer *wow* factor of the place? Totally outweighs the negatives.
Tell me about the food. Is it all fancy-pants French cuisine? (I'm a burger person.)
Okay, so I'm a self-confessed pizza-and-Netflix kind of girl. Fine dining? Not exactly my forte. But listen, the food at the chalet? Unbelievable. And thankfully, not *all* fancy-pants. They had this incredibly delicious cheese fondue (I think I ate my own weight in it), hearty stews, and fresh, crusty bread that was pure heaven. They *did* offer a few more elevated dishes – think beautifully prepared fish, delicate pastries, things that made me feel slightly out of my depth, to be honest. I stuck mostly to the comfort food, though (burgers were available, hallelujah!) - and even *that* was elevated, using local ingredients and some sort of secret chef-y magic. And the wine? Oh, the wine. Don't even get me started. Let's just say I may have developedHospitality Trails
Spacious chalet in Villarodin-Bourget Modane France
Spacious chalet in Villarodin-Bourget Modane France
