Most Romantic Hotels in Rhone-Alpes

Like a scene lifted straight out of a picture book, the historic 1840 Grand Hotel des Alpes towers over the quaint plaza right in the center of Chamonix town. The upscale hotel is great for couples, with 30 warm and inviting rooms with solid oak details and gorgeous marble baths. There is an extensive spa area, including a heated, indoor pool surrounded by marble tiles, hot tub, sauna, and steam room. The richly decorated hotel bar features gorgeous carpets, oak paneling, and marble pillars. It’s a great place to unwind with a cocktail after a day exploring the mountains around Chamonix, and the hotel also offers afternoon canapes, coffee, and tea. 

The five-pearl Hotel Mont-Blanc is a historic chalet in the heart of town near shopping and dining, with contemporary designer updates. (A glamorous 2013 renovation left Mont-Blanc the most luxurious hotel in Chamonix.) Original details such as vaulted ceilings and large exposed beams can be found in many of the 40 rooms, and some have small Juliet balconies. Views vary, but all have at least partial mountain views. Hotel highlights include a stylish lounge bar with regional charcuterie, a restaurant with a fireplace and seasonal market cuisine, a Clarins spa with sauna and steam room, and year-round heated outdoor pool and hot tub, both with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. 

Staying at this utterly charming nine-building complex on a five-acre farm feels like a getaway in a private lodge rather than a hotel. Rooms at Les Fermes de Marie are cozy and picturesque; each feels like an individual Alpine chalet with traditional woodwork, beamed ceilings, warm fabrics, and fun rustic touches, like barrel lamp bases and checked or plaid accents. Many rooms have private balconies with stunning mountain views. Bathrooms, with their slate or granite floors and high-end toiletries, are nothing short of spectacular. The spa has indoor and outdoor saunas and hot tubs, and a steam room, and there is a gorgeous indoor lap pool, lit beautifully, with picture windows and mountain views. Les Fermes' on-site restaurants serve fresh local cuisine, good wine, and decadent cheese dishes. Les Fermes de Marie is the ultimate ski hotel, yet even without the skiing, this high-end property has serious appeal for the many couples who visit.

The luxurious Cour Des Loges is a historic hotel with a stunning glass-ceilinged courtyard and atmospheric interiors that mix Old World and contemporary style. The hotel’s 60 rooms are dimly lit and individually decorated. Many have wood-beamed ceilings and come with such features as hand-carved wooden headboards, antique armoires, velvety fabrics, and fine artwork. Some rooms have fireplaces and gardens. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, robes and slippers, safes, and hairdryers. Located in Lyon’s historic center, the hotel is within walking distance of attractions and surrounded by restaurants, plus it has two restaurants of its own, including the Michelin-starred Les Loges. There are also an indoor pool, spa, and a well-regarded concierge staff. The hotel's series of restored buildings (dating from the 14th to 17th centuries) and their many staircases may not be ideal for travelers with mobility issues.

Perched on a hill above Lyon, the 28-room Villa Florentine is a luxury hotel housed in a former 18th-century convent. The property has been beautifully renovated with its historic character kept intact. Rooms are spacious with a luxe feel, though the furniture and wallpaper are showing signs of age. The hotel's Michelin-starred Terrasses de Lyon serves lunch and dinner in an elegant setting, with alfresco dining on the beautiful outdoor terrace available during the summer. A lovely outdoor pool is lined with lounge chairs and overlooks the city. The on-site spa has a sauna and steam room and offers a variety of treatments

The Farmhouse - Mas del la Coutettaz is an upper-middle-range inn with 11 rooms across three buildings, the oldest of which was built in 1771. Every inch of this hotel exudes charm, character, and warmth, with original details preserved throughout. The comfortable guest rooms all have different rustic themes and en-suite bathrooms with high-end L’Occitane bath products, while The Mazot, a stand-alone garden cabin, is a particularly romantic retreat. Handmade dinners and breakfasts are outstanding here and walks to the center of town take only 10 minutes. 

The upper-middle-range Hotel Carlton Lyon - MGallery Collection is housed in a building that dates from 1894. It's on Lyon's Presqu' Ile in the heart of the city, overlooking the Place de la Republique. Renovated in 2013, the hotel has retained beautiful historic details from the original building, such as stained-glass windows, intricate ceiling work, wrought-iron railings, and a cage-style elevator, which blend elegantly with its sophisticated modern style. A spa, cozy bar, and breakfast (for a fee) are the main features, along with meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi. Its 80 rooms vary in size (some are small) and include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. 

Couples looking for a romantic getaway in the French Alps will be hard-pressed to find a more quaint option than the charming 24-room  Auberge Le Manoir. This mid-range wooden chalet with a wraparound balcony exudes charm from the moment it comes into view. Guest rooms are cozy and rustic, with modern features and en-suite bathrooms, and are available in a variety of sizes. The property has a country craft vibe and the hotel’s bar is a particularly lovely place to relax after a day on the slopes. The center of town is a five-minute walk from the hotel, and there is an on-site sauna and spa for guest use, not to mention an excellent homemade breakfast buffet. While the hotel caters primarily to couples, it also welcomes families and solo travelers in town for winter sports.

The 102-room Hotel l’Heliopic is an upscale Chamonix property that eschews the rustic aesthetic found in so many Chamonix hotels, instead opting for an impeccable combination of Swedish minimalism, retro, and contemporary comforts. Rooms are spacious and stylish, and several have balconies. The on-site Nuxe Spa, which has cobbled stone floors and cedar shake shingles lining the walls, features a sauna, ice bath, and steam room, while the sexy indoor pool area has a hot tub and sunken seating around a fire pit. There is a stylish bar and lounge off of the lobby, which occasionally features live entertainment. The area has a retro vibe, with gray flannel armchairs with orange trim and it’s a cozy place for a post-ski cocktail or afternoon tea. 

The 56-room Le Morgane is an upscale boutique hotel that sits just outside the center of Chamonix ski town and combines modern design with Alpine-inspired touches. The on-site Le Bistrot restaurant has a Michelin star, and there’s an indoor pool and a small spa with treatments available. Rooms come with balconies, and some overlook Mont Blanc. The only downside is the lack of air-conditioning in rooms, which can be a problem in the summer, plus many rooms have small bathrooms.