The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
It’s the quiet that gets you first. There’s no sound except the timid tweets of a lone bird. Then, it’s the canyon-shaped mountains, whose jiggered cliffs tower above sweeping clusters of trees, disappearing into the clouds and out of sight. In the middle of all this sit traditional chalets with hanging baskets of blooming flowers, twee wooden window shutters, and perfectly symmetrical, three-tiered balconies. This is Au Coin du Feu Chalet – and once you’ve seen it, the rest of the landscape falls out of sight. Its charming exterior is the stuff of fairy-tale dreams (as cliché as that sounds), and it’s run by Chilly Powder, an independent, family-owned chalet business, with English couple Francesca and Paul at the helm.
As it’s situated in the Les Prodains area, which is above Morzine, a highly sought-after ski resort with outstanding pistes, Au Coin du Feu is understandably popular. Chilly Powder has become one of the most well-known chalet companies in France, and as a result, this chalet is often fully booked with repeat customers. This sense of “coming again”, or as several guests told me, of “coming home”, is one of the reasons this chalet hotel is sensational; and it’s made more so by the friendly staff. Add a private bar, outdoor hot tub, and massages in a yurt, and your “home away from home” has never been so luxurious.
Immediately upon arrival, a beaming manager, Nick, greets guests and offers to carry their luggage to the allotted rooms. A whistle-stop tour of the property is given to orientate each newcomer, paying particular attention to the hotel’s amenities. Timings for evening meals are given, as are instructions for when pre-meal drinks and canapes are held, all of which are triple-checked with you so you don’t miss them!
Once again, a sociable community spirit radiates here, which is reflected in the open-floor design. The lounge and dining area are separated by the four-sided fireplace which the hotel is named after – ‘au coin du feu’ translates to ‘at the fireside’. Above is a cosy mezzanine with books, board games, and an assortment of decorative objects and framed photographs that clearly mean a great deal to the owners, whose love story started this whole affair. Adjacent is a creche and kid’s club, reflecting another much-loved philosophy here – that adults deserve time off when on holiday.
Chalet-chic is the phrase needed to describe Au Coin du Feu’s 14 ensuite rooms and two apartments which offer catered accommodation. There are also several self-catered chalets nearby. Ranging from twin to double, with 11 designed for families, there are plenty of rooms to choose from. Many of the rooms have fun names, such as The Music Room, The Safari Suite, and The Toy Room, all of which are uniquely themed. For example, The Wedding Room has a full-on romantic vibe with a four-poster bed and jacuzzi, while The Oriental has Japanese clothing, images of koi fish, and fans lining the walls. Each room likewise features Egyptian cotton bed linen, uber-cosy robes with a hilarious print of a chilli wearing sunglasses while skiing, and toiletries.
But the statement piece of any of these rooms is the balcony or access to the garden. Both have the most extraordinary views – the kind that stay with you for a long time to come. This is perhaps the most simplistic aspect, but nothing compares to sitting here with a hot brew while watching the sun rise over the mountains.
Dining at Au Coin du Feu cannot be faulted. The pre-dinner canapes of cucumber, mushroom, and vegan cheese sticks are excellent equalisers, breaking down any barriers and reserves one might have about dining at a long table, as opposed to a private one. While adult guests enjoy these, the children are having their own meals, meaning when it comes time to dine, grownups can do so without worry.
Not to mention that this style of dining means you’re never quite sure what’s going to happen. For one, we met the GB cycling team, who were in Morzine for the Tour de France and who partook in the three-course gourmet meal. At one point, a member of the staff even got up and started to rap about the GB’s cycling successes that season. An eruption of laughter, a few tears of joy, and many questions became the name of the game – a recurring theme here at Chilly Powder.
While this sounds unmatchable, the food itself wins first place. Each night’s menu differs, but a few noteworthy dishes are the cheese and spinach starter, which was followed by lamb with spiced cauliflower, boiled potatoes, and mint sauce. The chocolate fudge cake with raspberry dressing was, likewise, unforgettable! On occasion, there will be a family-style buffet colourfully laid out on a table in the large backyard. Everything that’s good in the world – freshly made bread, tomatoes, cucumber and carrot sticks, potato salad, mozzarella, chicken, and more – are displayed for guests to take as much, or as little, as they please. Once again, seating is along a large table, but this time you’re surrounded by one of the best mountain ranges in the French Alps. As the night draws on and lanterns replace sunlight, an intimate scene develops where unlikely kindred spirits bond and form eternal friendships while sipping local wine.
As hard as it is to top all that, breakfast comes a close second. It’s served in the lounge/restaurant with continental and cooked cuisine. It wouldn’t be France if mornings didn’t start with a lightly buttered croissant and creamy pain au chocolat! These are hard to leave behind as you start to go about your day.
As aforementioned, Au Coin du Feu chalet is situated only minutes away from Morzine. In winter, the hotel has ski slopes on its doorsteps which are transformed into spellbinding hikes in the summer months. Two must-try hikes are Le Pleney (accessed by the Le Pleney Gondola) and Pointe de Nyon, which has paths leading to the Nyon Guerin Lake and Pas de I’Aigle. The former has the most turquoise waters in the area, while the latter is a 15-metre-long glass lookout platform with views of Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva. If hiking isn’t for you, the Parc des Dérêches has several swimming pools and spa facilities, while the town centre has plenty of independent shops and bakeries to try.
If there’s one thing to know about Chilly Powder’s Au Coin du Feu Chalet, it’s that they’ll take care of you. The location is a wellness and nature haven, as is the hotel’s massage yurt and jacuzzi. On top of this, the hotel has all the necessary comforts to make your time here feel like your home away from home – and should you ever return to this idyllic part of France, Chilly Powder will surely be your number one choice of accommodation.
Chilly Powder operates year-round, offering active summer holidays for individuals, groups and families looking to experience the stunning Portes du Soleil region.
