Valentine

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

Falling in love has just been reinvented. Gone are the days of WLTM, ISO and GSOH. This season proximity to the piste, the most exclusive of locations and high-end Alpine opulence are just the opening credentials necessary to ensure you stand out balconies and chimneys above the snow laden chocolate box crowd.

There is something magical about arriving at dusk as you wind your way up to the exclusive Belvédère area of Meribel. Your chauffeur guides you past many a beautiful chalet, softly illuminated against the falling snow. However, you know that your one and only is waiting for you just around the corner. Any chalet that can offer you the pistes in a mere 100metres and a short ski down to Le Rhodos lift is most definitely a keeper. 

Completely renovated and extended ready for your arrival this winter, Chalet Valentine awaits you in all its seven bedroom, high ceiling, chisel angled balcony glory. Standing proudly against the night sky, this is a chalet that knows it has already won your affections. With space opulently appointed and combined with beautifully enticing furnishings and that liberal dose of Alpine charm, you know this is going to be a long-term affinity.

With ski boots hastily dropped off on the ground floor, you can’t help but take the lift straight to the second floor. After all, it is the main living and dining room that originally stole your heart. Floor to ceiling windows invite the mountain peaks in, the plump sofas are just the sort where you really hope to sink into forever and the flickering fire just calls for your admiration. However, for now the snow has settled and you and a slate of delicate canapés have a rendezvous with Chalet Valentine’s boundless terrace.

The fire pit is just the place for the children to toast marshmallows whilst the fur-lined snowfa embraces you against winter’s nip. Tomorrow’s arduous après will be to give the seal of approval to the outdoor hot tub, barrel sauna and plunge pool. On the level below the lavish private spa will soothe away the aches of the first day back on skis for a while. Complete with hammam and massage room, you were, after all, promised to be swept off of your ski boot feet and fully looked after for your favourite week. Even the children are given the VIP treatment in the cinema room and games room.

You wanted to find the one. That one chalet where memories will be made from the day that Harry was yet to walk but was still old enough to be dragged around on a sledge by his older sister. To those days where the family will still be coming together for your favourite week and Harry is in his teenage DC Park years.  

The live in staff and your chauffeur will be old friends and the family each have a bedroom they call theirs. Your parents can escape to their haven of tranquility on the top floor whilst the master double bedroom on the third floor will be your home from home. The library will still have your husband’s favourite chair for an evening aperitif and catch up of the daily news, whilst the family suite will be home to Harry, Mollie and their growing entourage of Alpine memorabilia. On the first floor, peace will be resumed as your sisters and their husbands have the two charming double bedrooms, both in all their pale wood and indulgent fabric glory.

Chalet Valentine will always be the centre of your winter affections. You just wish the sun didn’t have to dip below the hazy mountaintops from your south-facing terrace and days like these could last forever.