Luxury French Alps Hotel Rivals White Lotus Glamour
In the heart of the French Alps, a five-star hotel offers an experience so lavish it could easily be mistaken for a setting from the hit HBO series White Lotus. Milo Boyd, deputy travel editor, recently explored the M De Megève, a luxury establishment beloved by the mega-rich that provides a captivating backdrop of historical glamour and contemporary intrigue.
A Ski Resort Steeped in Affluence
Nestled 1,400 metres up the French Alps beneath the shadow of Mont Blanc, the compact ski resort of Megève might be less renowned than Tignes or Val d'Isère, but it remains cherished by the ultra-wealthy and French nobility. Its exceptionally affluent origins trace back to the late 1910s when Noémie de Rothschild, weary of encountering German arms dealers in Switzerland's Saint Moritz, resolved to place the tiny rural settlement on the map.
Over the past century, dozens of ski lifts have emerged across 400 km of interconnected pistes, several Michelin-starred chefs have established themselves in Alpine life there, and luxury hotels matching those showcased in White Lotus have welcomed the global elite. This January, Boyd managed to slip in amongst the international elite for a weekend at M De Megève, a five-star establishment that belongs to the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World club.
Arrival and First Impressions
Upon arrival at the hotel, a porter swiftly collects your luggage and a beverage is offered as you're escorted to the crackling fire in the entrance hall. This welcome pairing is particularly appreciated after travelling from London on Eurostar's Snowtrain, despite the smooth and agreeable nature of the trip.
The M De Megève comprises 42 rooms arranged around a lengthy reception space that opens into a bar area by the entrance, a bistro at the rear, and a fondue restaurant to the side. Friendly staff, many of whom spend their winters grafting in the Alps before heading back to Cannes or Marseille for the summer season, are available to help, converse, or simply beam a greeting.
Culinary Delights and Alpine Comfort
In the intimate Grand Crus de Fondue, the hotel's sommelier-style Cheese Chef provides particular guidance, conjuring up pots of bubbling, stomach-fillingly potent fondue that nearly floored guests at the table. Equally scrumptious and more traditional cuisine is offered at the bistro, where extraordinary plates of French onion soup, mushroom risotto, and sea bream are served, accompanied by a glass or two of Pommery Champagne.
The hotel enjoys special partnerships with both the Reims château and Clarins. Visitors are showered with complimentary face creams and balms from the premium French skincare brand and pampered with its complete range down in the spa. Boyd questioned whether his masseuse, who left him floating on clouds and resolved a weeks-long bout of troublesome skin, was practising sorcery.
Luxury Accommodations and Village Life
The enchantment persists in the timber alpine lodge-style quarters, where drapes are controlled by a bedside button and the lavatories are delightfully interactive. "Our Asian and Middle Eastern guests insist on it," a staff member informed Boyd.
Despite sitting just 100m from the Chamois lifts, many guests do not ski. Instead, they come to shop, parade through the village on horse-drawn carriages, and telecabin up in platform Uggs to a hillside grill flogging £200 steaks and £9 bottles of Evian. Venture out onto the cobblestones of the village and you'll discover high-fashion brands aplenty, including Dior, Hermès, and Rolex.
A World of Contrast and Sophistication
"Megève is a place to be seen," a Canadian heir explained in the queue for a drag lift. What's so intriguing about the hotel is that it represents a realm of sophistication and fascination, practically begging to be White Lotused. It's a world where Brits debate whether they'd manage to expense a €5,000 club table whilst tucking into steak, where an Alpine settlement hosted Emily in Paris, and where ski lifts are shared with multilingual families switching between Italian, French, and English.
For those who adore skiing, it offers unmatched physical excitement on days brimming with powder-fresh thrills and stunning panoramas, alongside the opportunity to glimpse into this contrasting realm of luxury and intrigue.
Booking Information
Rooms can be reserved at the hotel's website from £479. Eurostar Snow train tickets for the 2025/26 season start at £99 each way (£198 return) in Standard class, running weekly from December 20, 2025, to April 5, 2026, from London St Pancras to the French Alps via Lille.
