Le Portetta

Rooms

There are 38 rooms and 6 penthouse lofts in the main hotel.

The rooms come with piste or valley views; the former are the ones to choose if you can, as they have private balconies, though we liked how natural the valley views were. We stayed in a Piste View Double Room; I loved the calming blue and beige colour scheme, and watching the sunset from our balcony. The oak interiors bring a rustic touch, creating a stylish yet cosy feel. You’ll find wooden beams, Chesterfield chairs with tartan cushions, and Fair-Isle blankets to snuggle under. The beds are large (sometimes at the expense of space, but welcome after a day on the slopes) and dressed in white Egyptian cottons, fluffy duvets and warm faux-fur throws.

Bathrooms come with tubs and/or rain showers, bathrobes and Bamford toiletries, and all rooms have smart TVs, safes and minibars, plus daily turndown service. Family Rooms sleep 4 (plus a baby) in a large bedroom and a separate room with bunk beds.

Spread over the top 2 floors of the hotel, the apartment-like lofts are ideal for larger families and anyone who needs more space. Each has an open-plan living and dining room, a well-equipped kitchen with a Nespresso machine, accommodation for 3-6 in 2-3 bedrooms, and various bathrooms (some ensuite, and some with tubs). Some also come with a log fire, perfect to gather around after a day on the piste.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• WiFi

Eating

Menus in the hotel’s rustic-chic Cucina Angelina restaurant change daily and offer 'Italian influenced mountain food'. Breakfast is a hearty buffet of pastries, granola, yoghurt, fresh fruits, and homemade detox juices, along with elevated cooked dishes like green eggs with braised cavolo nero & coconut yoghurt, and porridge with poached prunes, as well as the usual suspects - just the ticket for a day on the slopes.

For lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers an extensive mix of Italian classics and Savoyard specialities from the mind of UK chef Angela Hartnett. Some of our highlights included burrata with orange and roasted fennel, gnocchi with a game ragu, a traditional homemade carbonara and the Monkfish with cream of ceps and tarragon. With antipasti, primi, alla griglia, secondi & dessert all included when you go half-board, you have to pace yourself! Despite our best efforts, we couldn't make it to dessert, but they all sounded superb. A children’s menu is also on offer, but parents who fancy dining à deux can make use of the babysitting service.

For après ski the atmosphere at the alfresco bar, Fire & Ice, on the south-facing terrace can’t be beaten: flaming torches, heated seats, firepits. Happy hour runs from 3-6pm, which is when the crowd is buzziest. The view is beautiful, so grab a vin chaud, cocktail or wood-fired pizza and snuggle under a faux-fur blanket to watch the sun dip behind the mountains.

Breakfast is included in the rates for everyone, and those staying in the rooms can opt for half-board, too. Guests staying in the lofts have their own kitchens so can easily self-cater, and there are plenty of options for eating out nearby.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Kids' meals
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Pick up your heated boots from the ski room and head straight out onto the piste. Les 3 Vallées ski passes cover Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1850, Méribel, Mottaret, Val Thorens and Orelle; family passes are also available. Lifts link the various slopes
  
• Brush up your ski skills with a group or private lesson at one of the area's top 2 ski schools - ESF and New Generation, both on the doorstep. The hotel is happy to recommend instructors. You can also book a guide to take you off-piste for more challenging runs, or have a go at night skiing
  
• After a day on the slopes, peel off your layers and ease aching limbs in the hotel’s spa, which has a sauna, a candlelit hammam and a range of treatments
  
• Chill out by a roaring firepit on the terrace whilst sipping ice shots or wine from the Fire & Ice bar. Happy hour is 3-6pm
  
• Take a break from skiing and give dog-sledding, tobogganing, ice skating or paragliding a try. Reception can organise various activities in the area
  
• Grab your camera and board a pleasure flight from Courchevel altiport to get a bird’s eye view of some of the best mountain vistas in Europe

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Ice skating
• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Paragliding
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Skiing
• Snowsports
• Trekking

Kids

This is a great option for family ski holidays and children of all ages are very welcome. The accommodation is flexible and well thought-out, the atmosphere is laid-back, and the gentle blue and green runs of Courchevel 1650 (officially designated as a family-friendly resort) are ideal for young kids. There’s also a children’s ski school beside the hotel.

Sadly the hotel’s kids’ club is reserved for guests booking through certain package-tour operators, but the family focus means there are plenty of other kids for your little ones to befriend.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Family Rooms can accommodate 4 (plus a baby) in a double bedroom and a separate bunk room. Bigger families can book the Lofts, which sleep 3-6 in 2 or 3 bedrooms. See Rates for full details of bedroom configurations in the various lofts.

Cots Available, Family Rooms

Distances:

• Airport: 1-2 hours' drive (Chambéry, Annecy, Grenoble or Geneva)
• Shop, including a pharmacy: 2 minutes' walk
• Hospital: 30 minutes' drive (Moutiers)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Le Portetta is situated by the slopes in Courchevel 1650 (also known as Moriond), the most easterly of the towns that make up the vast Trois Vallées ski area. It’s linked by lifts to the better-known Courchevel 1850, as well as Méribel, Mottaret and Val Thorens.

By Air:
The nearest airports are Chambéry (106km away), Annecy (148km away) and Grenoble (172km away), but most guests arrive via Geneva in Switzerland, which is served by a wider range of flights.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange transfers, or you can hire a car (see below).

By Car:
You won’t need a car here as you can ski straight from the hotel, but if you want to hire one then click here to see our recommendations. Secure parking is available for a daily charge.

By Train:
The Eurostar Snow Train service runs from London St Pancras to Moûtiers, via Lille, which is 35 minutes from Courchevel 1650. The hotel can arrange transfers from there. Note that this service only operates between December and February.

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

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