La Ferme du Lac Vert

Rooms

The rooms in the main chalet vary quite a bit in size, but are all priced the same (based on a per person rate). Some are big doubles, some are triples with 3 single beds or a double and a single (useful for a family), and one is a quadruple. A couple are quite tight doubles or twins with not much space around the bed.

La Ferme du Lac Vert used to be a dairy farm, and Lucy has tastefully picked up on this with her interior design. There are cow-skin rugs, cow-print cushions and bright cartoon cow pictures that she painted herself. Even the toiletries are Cowshed! But it's very tasteful, and perfectly combined with traditional touches such as mahogany antique beds and wardrobes, plus cosy faux-fur throws tossed over the beds. We loved the quirky Ottoman lanterns, and armchairs re-upholstered in Swiss army blankets.

While the rooms are old-style and wood-panelled, ensuite bathrooms are gleaming and contemporary, with shiny chrome and grey slate tiles. Most have showers over baths, but Fondulay and Cote D'Abroz have showers only, while Pleney has a roll-top bath and a separate shower. Cosy robes and slippers are just the thing to wrap up in on a snowy evening, plus there's underfloor heating to keep you snug.

If you're after some more privacy, choose La Petite Ferme: the cosy little sister chalet located away from the main building complete with hot tub and terrace. It has 3 ensuite bedrooms, with 1 on the ground floor and 2 on the upper floor, and can sleep 6 - good for families or couple friends. There's a a lounge with a log burner, an outdoor apero and dining area, and a kitchen for knocking up snacks. It's usually rented half board, but self-catering is available on request at certain times.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• WiFi

Eating

The chalet chefs cook to a high standard year-round. In winter, all stays are half-board, including afternoon tea (and 5 dinners excluding Wed & Fri). Evening meals are highly sociable, creative 5-course affairs, including a full cheese board. You begin with elaborate canapés - one day we had miniature steak tartares; another, curious but highly moreish molecular-style blobs of exploding Bloody Mary. The main courses ranged from melting braised shoulder of lamb to perfect pan-fried duck breasts with roasted butternut squash and cherry sauce. All were excellent.

Breakfasts combine porridge or hot muesli with a choice of hot dish - perhaps a full English, pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, or grilled tortilla with peppers, feta cheese and braised fava beans - note it is continental only twice a week. There are also heaps of pastries, a wide choice of cereals and an endless array of herbal teas and freshly ground coffee.

On the chef’s nights off, try excellent nearby restaurants. L’Etale in the centre of Morzine serves good Savoyard dishes, and there are numerous other local options staff can recommend.

The summers are B&B only. If you're booking the whole chalet then half-board stays are available on request. Expect evening meals to have 4 courses, and the emphasis to be on lighter salads, delicious BBQs and giant fruit salads. Note breakfasts are Continental and there's no afternoon tea or evening aperitifs/wine. There's might be a pop-up restaurant celebrating seasonal and locally sourced produce in a surprise tasting menu format - choose between 5 or 8 courses.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Communal dining
• Dinner by arrangement
• Half board
• In-house cook
• Kids' meals
• Restaurants nearby
• Vegetarian options

Activities

Skiing: the chalet is 5 minutes’ drive from the Ardent ski lift, which whisks guests up into the mighty Portes du Soleil. This is one of the biggest ski areas in the world, with 650km of slopes, and offers something for everyone, from the total beginner to the gnarly black-run skier or hardened off-pister. Nicholas, the chalet's ski concierge, can organise everything for you (lift passes, ski hire, ski school, guides etc)

• When your muscles are aching, head back to the chalet for afternoon tea and a restorative soak in the alfresco hot tub
  
• In the summer, go boating on Lac Vert, hike through alpine pastures and up the mountains (many of the chair lifts are still open), or try mountaineering, rock climbing and white-water rafting. Golf courses are close, too
  
• Road cycling is popular, and keen cyclists can attempt some challenging Tour de France climbs nearby
  
• Go shopping in Morzine, a year-round resort. Or head further afield to cosmopolitan Geneva
  
• Visit the historic spa towns of Yvoire, Thonon and Evian. Yvoire is a particularly pretty medieval village with lovely (if pricey) shops and restaurants, located right beside Lake Geneva

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Canyoning
• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Rafting
• Shopping / markets
• Skiing
• Snowsports
• Swimming

Kids

The chalet is probably not ideal for toddlers, but children of all ages are very welcome and there is a 20% discount for kids under 13. It is a big, roomy property with lots of space for children to play, including a TV lounge with a range of family DVDs.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

La Petite Ferme is a good option for families as it sleeps 6 and is located away from the main chalet so noise won't carry. If you decide to stay in the main house, Pleney is a double room with space for a baby cot; Cote D'Abroz has a double bed and a single bed; Montriond, Vache and Nantaux have a double or kingsize bed, a single bed and space for a baby cot; Ardent has a kingsize bed and 2 single beds; Lapin has 3 single beds and space for a baby cot. If you are hiring out the chalet for exclusive use, you can add 4 rollaway beds into the mix.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

La Ferme du Lac Vert sits on a quiet, winding lane leading up the mountain from Montriond, a small village on the edge of Morzine in the Portes du Soleil, France. It is just down from Lac Vert, a beautiful green lake after which the chalet is named, and surrounded by ramshackle old farm buildings and chalets.

By Air:
Fly into Geneva (86km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The chalet is approx 1 hour 15 minutes' drive from Geneva airport. Airport transfers can be arranged or you can hire a car or take a taxi.

By Train:
Cluses is the nearest train station, 30 minutes away. The chalet will do free pick-ups from there.

By Car:
A car is advised for exploring in the summer but not necessary in the winter, when daily transfers to the ski slopes are laid on and included in the price (morning shuttles 0830-1030; afternoon 1600-1900). If arriving via Geneva airport, it’s worth picking up your hire car on the Swiss side of the border, as you’ll find it easier - and probably cheaper - to explore both countries. See our car rental recommendations. Note that you’ll need a vignette (annual permit) to drive on Swiss motorways. You can park for free in the village.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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