Bouji Lodge

Bouji Lodge is a big, fabulous and fantastically located ski chalet in the heart of the old village of Argentière in the Chamonix valley – just minutes from the best mountain in the valley, Les Grands Montets.

As such it is a superb chalet for large groups of serious skiers, but Chamonix has skiing for all levels so it is perfect for big mixed ability groups too.

It is also immensely stylish and comfortable, with sumptuous decor, hugely comfy rooms, and top-notch food and drink top-notch. A seriously excellent chalet.

The building is a former school house, then it was a restaurant and then a ski chalet, and it feels modern and super stylish — a great space for big groups and families. It is sumptuously decorated throughout, with a decidedly contemporary twist. There are dramatic photos and artwork on the walls, tailor-made sofas and designer lighting  in the main living space which is arranged on one side of a central, arty fireplace, with a muted, tastefully designed dining area on the other side.

Fake cowhide walls combine with pop art in each of the rooms. The second floor master suite is the best to grab, with loads of wooden beams, fur throws and beautiful views of Mont Blanc. Some have flatscreen TVs with Sky TV and DVD player, but not all. Plentiful Bamford toiletries are supplied throughout.

Bouji Lodge is a groovily flexible catered ski chalet. They do not insist you buy into a fully laid-on professional chef experience for the entire run of your stay. If you want a four-course feast, it’s there; if you want to dine out, it can be arranged; if you want to rustle something up yourselves – for just one night or for every night of your stay – they are happy to stock the fridge and hand over the keys. That said, most guests opt for the fully laid-on VIP half board, and the food is first class.

I sampled perfectly prepared roast figs with Aosta ham and mozzarella, followed by confit duck with pomme purée and warm pickled red cabbage, with a fine pear and apple tarte tatin to finish. As for wine, the chalet works with a sommelier at the beginning of the season to pick out some excellent house wines but it also lays on a selection of more exciting ones that cost extra. Veuve Clicquot is the house champagne, with the option of spending up on other champagnes such as vintage Krug.

This luxury ski chalet has a small treatment room in the basement complete with sauna. Treatments include anything from a shiatsu massage to a manicure or pedicure. There is also an outdoor hot tub on the small terrace.

The beautiful couple who operate the chalet (both used to be models) have three young children, hence they are quite sensitised to all the possible needs of parents. Baby monitors, security gates, sterilising equipment, you name it, can all be provided, including even a wooden cot if parents prefer that to a travel cot. Spare bedrooms can be turned into playrooms for little ones, plus excellent nannies and babysitters can be raised or even chalet staff can wade in and help with escorting children to and from ski school.

The handy location and the sumptuous feel throughout. 

There are no views from the hot tub, which is enclosed but at least totally private. Some of the rooms are not enormous either, but they are perfectly reasonably sized doubles.