Chalet La Foret

Les Praz, Chamonix

€3,500

Sleeps: 8
Date Available: Available all Year
Floors: 2
Standard: 1950

Luxury catered or self-catered chalet in Les Praz, Chamonix

The chalet, which faces south, was originally built in 1950. Now completely renovated, it retains the warm feel of the mountain guide’s home it once was. Built of granite and traditional river-sand render on the ground floor, with solid larch wood on the top and a traditional cedar-tiled roof, it’s a wonderfully welcoming house.

The hot tub is a perfect place to enjoy an Alpine sunset on the surrounding peaks. The owners refill with fresh water for each set of guests, so it’s sparkling and clean.

The wood-burning barrel sauna is a wonderful way to relax. Put three logs in the stove, light it and return in 20 minutes time for the most calming sauna imaginable — listening to the crackle of the fire as the heat soothes your muscles…

The spacious and beautiful living room has squashy and very comfortable sofas, a widescreen TV with DVD player and Nintendo Wii, Wi-fi, BOSE stereo with iPod dock and a bar with plenty of glasses.  There are games including Risk, backgammon, drafts and chess, mah jongg, Jenga, cards and a Scalextric set.

There is no Sky, but provide an extensive DVD collection (over 150, from classics & comedy to the latest ski & snowboard movies) and a selection of books including plenty about the mountains.

The covered balcony is a lovely place to listen to the river and watch the snow and has tables and chairs. You are welcome to smoke on the balcony (though not elsewhere in the chalet). There’s an upstairs mezzanine den with seats and cushions, where you can retreat and laze if you’d like some peace.

The traditional tiled kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances — there’s a four ring halogen hob and fan oven, microwave, dishwasher and washer-dryer. There’s plenty of quality crockery and cutlery, cast iron pans and good kitchen knives, jugs and ice trays for the wonderful Alpine water and a raclette and fondue set for cheesy nights in.

All the bedrooms have comfortable, full size mattresses (2m long, no footboards), which can be made up as doubles or twins according to your group.