Stroll up to the stylish entrance of this 26-room boutique hotel, located plum on the main street of Les Gets, and you might think an ice-cool haven awaits within. But as soon as you step over the threshold into the quirkily decorated reception area, you're greeted by hugely friendly and informal staff who make the place unforgettably welcoming. Chamois d’Or does, in fact, feel more like a big shared chalet than a hotel. Mostly British guests – including honeymoon couples, groups of friends and families with teenage children –mingle and chat between the reception area, which doubles as a lounge, and the wood-clad residents' bar.
The laid-back, relaxed culture stems from hands-on owner Peter, who hails from Plymouth but is based in Les Gets – and whose genuine pleasure seems to be for everyone to have a really fun time. As for Les Gets itself, this charming French village sits on the fringes of Portes du Soleil, a vast 650km of slopes. Skiing heaven in winter; cycling heaven in summer.
Highs
- A refreshingly affordable option in the infamously expensive French Alps
- Cocktails in the bar – don’t miss the extremely potent Margaritas!
- Guests get reduced rates to access the basement spa, a charming offering with 2 treatment rooms, pool, Jacuzzi and sauna
- A good range of room types: romantic doubles, Triples/Quads and a self-catering Penthouse sleeping 8-10
Lows
- Staff tend to be seasonal and the service is enthusiastic rather than faultlessly professional, but that adds to its charm
- No onsite restaurant, but there are plenty of dining options nearby
- You need to book ahead for access to the spa
- Not all rooms look out onto the slopes; we had a view of the car park
Best time to go
Chamois d’Or's winter season runs from mid December to April; its summer season runs from late June to late August. The best time for skiing is January when it is quieter, and the end of March/beginning of April when it is warmer and sunny. Snowboxx and Rock the Pistes are music festivals on the slopes held in March each year and feature local talent as well as famous DJs and Euro popstars. In July, the Tour de France often passes through Les Gets.
Our top tips
Don’t miss skiing Mont Chèry, the quiet, uncrowded locals’ mountain, with a good combination of red and blue runs and one gnarly black. Stop for a decadent lunch at La Grande Ourse, with socking great views of the Portes du Soleil across to Mont Blanc. Try the lobster and scallop tartiflette, washed down by house rosé. Just perfect.
- Boutique Hotel
- 26 rooms and a 4-bed penthouse
- Breakfast and wine bar open daily
- Best for older kids
- Open all year
- Indoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 26 bedrooms and the 4-bed self-catering Penthouse are spread across the original building and a more modern extension. The new rooms have a slightly different look, the original areas have antique furniture and artwork. Bedrooms are all ensuite, with lots of handy hooks and ample wardrobe space for ski clobber. Walls are wood-lined, bed linen snow white, and each bedroom door is appropriately Alpine, covered with cow skin. Many rooms have balconies, and some boast big views out across the pretty slopes of Les Gets.
There are various categories to choose from. Double/twin options are Classic and Classic Plus – the latter is a bit larger and can take an extra bed, as can the Prestige Rooms which have super-kingsize beds. Room 25 is an especially lovely Classic with a bathtub and wraparound balcony. Triple Rooms can be either a double and a single, or three singles; state your preference when booking.
For families or friends travelling together, the Quadruple, Family and Family Plus rooms have kingsize beds and adult-size built-in bunkbeds. Some have balconies, the bathrooms have either a bath or shower.
On our first visit we stayed in the huge Penthouse, which sleeps 8 people in 4 bedrooms and has a spectacular balcony with sun-drenched, south-facing views, plus a big living space and kitchen facilities. On our most recent trip, we were in a Classic Twin which was decidedly more cosy but still ample space and comfort for 2 people.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Coffee / tea making
- Cots available
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- Toiletries
- TV
- WiFi
Eating
There are three categories of breakfast: Express (a hot drink, juice and pastry), Continental (typical buffet spread of fruit, cured meats and cheese, cereals and fresh pastries) and Signature, which includes hot options as well as the continental buffet.
For Après ski drinks, the residents' bar in the reception area serves a fantastic range of cocktails (gin, whiskey, rum...) and usually has a friendly English-speaking crowd.
There are lots of excellent restaurants on the slopes for lunch, serving up hearty Savoyard fare, and other options in town just a short walk away for dinners out. We enjoyed a good value burger at Ô Chalet, and guests are allowed to bring takeaway meals into the bar. Staff are happy to provide recommendations.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Skiing: lifts up to the Portes du Soleil's 650km of slopes are 5 minutes' walk from the hotel
- There are many alternative wintery activities for the non-skier, from ice skating on the little rink in town to husky sledding, snow-shoe walking and cross-country skiing
- Summertime activities range from hiking in the surrounding mountains to playing golf, white-water rafting and paragliding
- Les Gets is a big mountain biking and road cycling centre, with dozens of trails and several famous Tour de France passes close by
- There's lovely shopping in town: chi-chi Alpine interiors boutiques, clothes shops and a bustling food and flower market on Thursdays
- Relax in the Spa – which has two treatment rooms and sauna, hammam and Jacuzzi
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Ice skating
- Nightlife
- Private guided tours
- Shopping / markets
- Skiing
- Snowsports
Kids
Families are welcome but there are no specific kids' activities/areas, so the hotel is best suited to older children and teenagers. Little ones are not allowed in the spa and there are lots of glass tables and concrete stairs that aren't toddler-friendly.
Best for:
Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Triples are Classic rooms with space for a rollaway bed. Family Quads are Prestige rooms with a bunkbed for children.
Cots Available, Family Rooms
Babysitting:
Professional babysitting/nanny services available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cots
- High chairs
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Ice skating
- Husky sledding
- Cycling
- Rafting
Distances:
- Airport: 1 hour's drive (Geneva)
- Shop: 2 minutes' walk (Les Gets)
- Hospital: 35 minutes' drive (Thonon)
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Chamois d'Or is in the charming village of Les Gets in the Portes du Soleil domain of the French Alps.
By Air:
Geneva (85km) is the nearest airport and is less than an hour's drive away. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.
From the Airport
You won't need a car while you're here so we'd advise a transfer from the airport - there are numerous companies running private and shared transfers between Geneva and the Portes du Soleil, stopping off in Les Gets; ask for details when you book your stay. If you'd prefer to be independent, click here to see our recommendations for car rental. If arriving via Geneva airport, pick up your hire car on the Swiss side of the border (it has 2 exits), as you’ll find it easier - and probably cheaper. Note that you’ll need a vignette (annual permit) to drive on Swiss motorways.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to France and getting around
Airports:
- Geneva 85.0 km
Other:
- Beach 62.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape