Heliopic Hotel & Spa

Built in 2013, this hotel is an exaggerated version of the classic wooden chalet. From the outside, two peaked cedar building lined with balconies emerge from a stone foundation. Inside, guests are greeted by a contemporary, Alpine take on Swedish minimalism, a motif that runs through every corner of the hotel. The wide lobby embraces minimalist design concepts, with grays, light woods, exposed stone, and orange accents everywhere the eye can see. Common areas all feel warm and inviting, though, and even a little playful -- especially the small library area with its oversized chess board. There are plenty of places for guests, who are mostly couples and families, to relax, spread out, and enjoy themselves in style, from the cozy, retro bar and lounge to the start-up inspired drafting table area to the kids’ club.

Mountain enthusiasts will find a lot to love at this hotel, which is situated south of the L’Arve River, outside of the quaint downtown area. Directly across the street from the hotel is the cable car to Aiguille du Midi, a rocky spire above town with spectacular views of the Alps across France, Italy, and Switzerland, including Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the chain. Walks to the center of town take 10 minutes, where plenty of boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and bars can be found lining the mostly pedestrian streets. The free shuttle to the ski resorts that surround Chamonix, including Les Houches and Brevent, stops at the Aiguille du Midi cable car station, and trips to both should take about 20 to 30 minutes. Geneva International Airport, over the Swiss border, is the closest major airport and takes a little over an hour to reach by car.

For a taste of Stockholm trends by way of the French Alps, these rooms are the right choice. Decor is uniform across all room categories and sizes, which start at 22 square meters (or 237 square feet) and range from Single Rooms to Standard and Family Rooms. Light wood laminate floors, driftwood-colored furniture, off-white and wood-paneled accent walls, and attractive oatmeal-colored felt headboards combine to create a minimalist, yet inviting, ambience. White duvet-covered beds are comfortable, and the gray wool blankets and throw pillows atop them pop against charcoal shag throw rugs. Details like herringbone padded desk chairs add an extra touch of simple elegance to the rooms while upping the comfort factor at the same time, as do two-tone block-color curtains. 

All rooms include desks, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, safes, electric kettles with coffee or tea, and telephones. Bathrooms are modern with light wood vanities and raised square sinks set amid light gray tile. They include bathtub/shower combos with up-to-date fixtures and Nuxe bath products. Several rooms have Mont Blanc views and balconies as well, but guests should be warned that there is construction nearby, making exterior noise an issue in some rooms for the foreseeable future.

The hotel’s minimalism is employed in smart ways across its many features, including the chic and sexy indoor pool area with a hot tub and sunken seating around a fire pit. Matte gray tiles and white vases tucked into wall recesses create an intriguing, yet spare visual effect all around and a dip here is a memorable experience. On-site Nuxe Spa, which has cobbled stone floors and cedar shake shingles lining the walls, offers an array of massage and spa services as well as luxury spa goods for sale, a sauna, an ice bath, and a steam room. The hotel has a ski shop with equipment for sale or rent, and there is a secure ski room on-site as well. 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 coffee, including afternoon tea. A buffet breakfast with hot and cold options is served every morning, though it isn’t included with most bookings, and dinner service is also offered. Light snacks and takeaway items are available in the hotel’s grab-and-go cafe, Epicerie du Midi, and limited room service is also available. 

Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and the hotel has four meeting and events rooms that can accommodate up to 225 people. The hotel’s 24-hour front desk offers concierge services including mountain guide bookings and ski slope passes. There is a kids’ area on site with games, toys, and a free smoothie bar, and the hotel has covered parking as well as laundry and dry cleaning services.