Hotel Avenue Lodge

Val d’Isère

Nestled in the heart of the exceptional Vanoise massif skiing site known as “Espace Killy“,Val d’Isère is considered to be one of the world’s capitals for skiing. This mountain village where residents live to the rhythm of the seasons has benefited from the increasing popularity of winter sports since 1930.This unique site for skiers acquired its reputation for excellence after World War II, and its desire to receive more and more guests, motivated the construction of a great many new structures. As a candidate for the 1992 Winter Olympics, the commune underwent a renovation of its architecture to give the village its former image.

Today, Val d’Isère, with its 11^th Century bell tower and its chalets of stone, wood and “lauze” roof tiles once again possesses the authentic soul of a mountain village. The ski resort has combined respect for its local architectural heritage with, as its world renown requires, innovation designed for the optimum comfort of its skiers. Visitors come here to experience the essence of mountain life as well as to enjoy the most magnificent skiing in the world.

Living among the stars

Ideally located 300 meters from the slopes, the Avenue Lodge disrupts the classical codes of mountain decor. The Avenue’s Savoyard owner Michel Bouvier, entrusted the interior decoration to Jean-Philippe Nuel, an architect-designer who had already worked on other hotels for him.

Following his own guiding principles, Nuel placed the accent on space in both the rooms and the common areas and opted for a pure 1950s inspired design, creating a contrast between a mountain and a modern atmosphere, thanks in great part to the dark wood which elegantly blends in with high tech glass and stainless steel equipment.

In the 54 rooms, each organized in a different manner, we find the same raw materials such as wood, stone and natural wool and the most sophisticated modern comforts. All the rooms have furniture inspired by 1950s masterpieces including Ardea de Carlo Mollino armchairs by Zanotta, Dezza de Gio Ponti chairs by Poltrona Frau, refined fabrics from Pierre Frey and contemporary materials such as leatherette on the walls, bedspreads in false fur, Bobine pedestal tables in brightly polished stainless steel by Michael Koening and calf skin seats. A glass partition creates a discreet and designer passage between the bedroom and the bathroom.

Like the rooms, the 100 square meters apartment on the top floor possesses harmony of design in its colors and its furniture.

Once again,we find the same contemporary, refined and aesthetic ambiance.

Throughout out the hotel, Jean-Philippe Nuel has placed the accent on atmosphere, with a warm, cozy and huge salon equipped with a large fireplace, an urbanlike lounge bar with its indirect filtered bluish lighting and the graphic, mysterious design of the spa in slate and old wood, making it the ideal spot for relaxation.

After a day on the slopes, guests can return to their red and black tone cocoons and the warmth of their fireplace before heading for the hotel's restaurant directed by chef Patrick Ducros whose cuisine consists of light, organic dishes.

Created around the theme of wellness and fulfilment, the design mountain Avenue Lodge is not a typical "ski vacation" hotel but a veritable jewel in the midst of gleaming snow with an insistence on charm and tradition in the heart of Val d'Isere.

The Avenue Lodge has just been awarded its fifth star.