La Bouitte

At A Glance:

Family owned and operated, this Relais & Chateaux hotel and three-star Michelin restaurant draw foodies looking for a special, intimate property with a strong sense of place.

Indagare Loves:

• The three-star Michelin restaurant run by father and son duo, Rene and Maxime Meilleur
• The charming rooms that are each unique in style
• The close proximity to Val Thorens ski resort

Review:

Located in the small alpine town of Saint Marcel (home to just 250 residents), La Bouitte has become a destination hotel for foodies looking for world-class gastronomy in the Alps.

Chef Rene Meilleur opened the restaurant in 1976 when the surrounding property were potato fields. Over the years, the family developed a hotel around the restaurant because guests complained of having nowhere to stay nearby. With a highly acclaimed restaurant and hotel under the Relais & Chateaux brand, La Bouitte attracts a discerning clientele, who come for the incredible food, luxurious accommodation and winter activities at nearby Val Thorens ski resort.

The Meilleur family cares passionately about the accommodations and ambiance of the hotel, working to give diners and guests an equally extraordinary experience. While the 15 rooms differ in size and details, each boasts cozy, chalet-inspired interiors. Our favorite rooms are the Luxury Suite Marie, with rustic-chic décor, a fireplace and mountain-facing balcony, and the Celestine room, which is equally warm and homey, but on the smaller side. (It can be connected to another suite for more space).

The sophisticated, three-Michelin-starred restaurant is the pièce de résistance of the property and serves exquisite Savoy cuisine. A multi-course dinner here may include such artfully prepared dishes as duck foie gras escalope, local char fish with onion confit or homemade pasta with mushrooms and wild sorrel.

On property, guests can enjoy the spa, small indoor pool, hammam, sauna and outdoor jacuzzi. The mountains of Val Thorens or Saint Martin are also a short drive away for skiing and hiking.

Who Should Stay

Foodies who want an extraordinary culinary experience and luxurious accommodations in the Alps.