Le Morgane Chamonix

The hotel’s taupe facade and sleek black entrance are somewhat striking, but blend very well with the surrounding mountains, while the brown balconies have a more traditional look. Inside, the common areas and restaurant are decorated with grays and creams, with lots of natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and chic modern furniture that’s heavy on raw and light-colored woods. The look is sleek and contemporary, but there's plenty of cozy touches as well, such as comfortable and stylish couches and armchairs filling a seating area that's adorned with cowhide rugs and rustic wood coffee tables. The pool area is the only disappointment and doesn't quite match the chic, upscale look of the hotel, covered in busy blue and white tile and backlit by kitschy colored lights.

Le Morgane sits across from the Arve river in a relatively quiet area outside of the center of town, which is a five-minute walk away and full of restaurants and shops. There’s easy access to popular ski areas, including Les Grands Montets and L'Aiguille du Midi, which are both around a 15-minute drive away or reachable by public transportation; it’s a five-minute walk to the main bus stop for the ski areas and a four-minute walk to the Aiguille du Midi cable car station. It’s a 10-minute walk to the Montenvers train station and an hour drive to Geneva International Airport, with the SAT bus service traveling to and from Chamonix.

The 56 rooms, which range from Standard Rooms to spacious Prestige Rooms with lounge areas, have simple, modern decor with gray slate floors and simple light-colored wood furniture. Modern floral artwork hangs over the beds. Bathrooms can feel a bit cramped, but have a clean, modern design with square bowl sinks and walk-in rainfall showers or shower/tub combos (some, like Prestige Rooms, have whirlpool tubs), with a separate area for the toilet. All rooms have small private balconies furnished with a pair of chairs that overlook the mountains, and some have views of Mont Blanc. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, electric kettles, robes and slippers, safes, and hairdryers. Rooms are not air-conditioned, however, which can be an issue during the summer, but fans are available.  

The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Bistrot, serves lunch and dinner, as well as a continental breakfast (included in some rates), with an emphasis on seasonal, regional ingredients. Room service is available. The small spa has a sauna and steam room and offers a full menu of treatments including facials and massages. The indoor pool, which some guest report is not the warmest, is tucked away in a small area and features multi-colored lighting that some guests consider garish. There's a small kids' area near the reception with games and a comic book library. Ski lessons are available (with a fee), as are fitness activities during the summer season. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Bicycles are available to rent. Parking is free in the hotel’s outdoor lot, and there's a covered garage for an additional daily fee. A private car can be rented through the hotel as well.