La Grande Roche

A Chic Rock

You gently swing over the glassy water of a lovely swimming pool, a childish pleasure that brings childlike joy to an already beautiful day. The swing is suspended from sloped wooden ceilings above, chalet architecture being the only giveaway, right here right now, that you are in the mountains. There is snow out there on those hills. Welcome to the pleasure dome; but a chalet shaped dome where the good things in life come together encased in rustic elegance, where luxury is subtle and where pleasure is to revitalise and warm your heart. This is Courchevel at its zenith. Frankly, La Grande Roche has everything going for it.

It is set among trees but only a short distance from the slopes and the village centre. It is large, with over 700 beguiling sqm and seven bedrooms, and yet nurturing. Décor is eclectic, achieving sophistication with comfort: alpine chic wrapped in weathered timber, the glamour of a central fireplace and then hints at mountain rustic with curtains the textile of soft blankets and farming implements on the wall. Smart leather sofas add that reassurance of substance and tradition then lightened with a quirky crystal chandelier.

The top floor is occupied by a master bedroom that is truly a master. Under the eaves and still spacious, with a wood-burning fire and a private balcony, it is a haven for the recuperation of body and soul. Retreat to its large bathroom, with whirlpool tub and separate shower, and you are utterly private. For a while. The party is happening down a floor, your chef is working magic in the professional kitchen, they are starting to gather at the bar. Except for those still scampering through the snow to the sauna in the garden and warming up in the hot tub out there on the terrace.

Down a floor from the living floor to the other six bedrooms, each one an enchanting haven of its own. Three have en-suites with walk-in showers and, although there are the pleasures of the spa, there are two more bathtubs. A family suite or children’s room has a double bedroom with access to another with a small double bed. They share a bathroom. Another bathroom with tub is ensuite to a large bedroom where the bed can separate to twins. La Grande Roche, as we say, has everything.

And that is abundantly evident as we return to the lower reaches of the chalet shaped pleasure dome. From that hedonistic pool the spangly steam room invites you to enter its cloud. The gym is well-equipped and the treatment room beckons. The cinema promises to envelope you in mysterious dark from which, if you find yourself falling into sleep’s arms, you can escape to the next room to a game of table ice-hockey. In the ski room what a ski room! How genius to add games to that space with its ski racks and boot warmers. A mountain holiday is, after all, about letting your inner child out to play. Welcome to La Grande Roche.