Last-minute ski inspiration from Méribel’s most stylish hotel
Those looking to soak up the last of the slopes and sunshine in true French fashion, need look no further than Le Coucou Méribel. This impossibly chic mountainside chalet puts snow-seekers in pole position for a late season escape, with Le Rond-Point des Pistes on its ski-in, ski-out doorstep. Here, we share five reasons to dust off your skis and head to Le Coucou before it closes on the 4th April 2022.
1. The ultimate ski-in, ski-out location
Snuggled into the Méribel mountainside, Le Coucou puts guests in the heart of the exclusive Belvédère area, in a peaceful piste-side location. As the central resort in the world-famous Trois Vallées, Le Coucou guests have easy access to glitzy Courchevel and high altitude Val Thorens, along with 46 (and counting) lifts and gondolas. Watch skiers on the Belvédère piste from your Pierre Yovanovitch designed suite’s balcony, chocolat chaud in hand, then hit the slopes with personalised equipment set up each day for you in the elegant Ski Room, with its own take-off terrace.
2. The food is as delicious as the views
Recently refurbished for the winter season, Biancaneve serves authentic Italian food from Riccardo Giraudi including Mushroom Cannelloni with fontina cheese and truffle, Puntarelle salad with Straciatella cheese and anchovy dressing, and Pizza Stracchino with stracchino cheese, rucola, prosciutto ham and truffle.
The Beefbar, also masterminded by Giraudi, uses top quality ingredients sourced from highly distinguished providers offering the finest and rarest cuts of Black Angus Prime, Wagyu WX and Kobe beef alongside fresh grilled fish, ceviche and carpaccio. Both restaurants are the perfect spot for an après ski snack, while Beefbar has a terrace you can ski straight onto once you’ve worked up an appetite on the slopes.
3. Post-ski pampering in the Tata Harper Spa
What better way to end a day on the slopes than a soothing spa treatment? Le Coucou’s Tata Harper Spa boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, six massage treatment rooms with specialist treatments from Tata Harper, and a sauna area providing a deeply relaxing après ski experience. Guests can trial the newly introduced Mother & Daughter and Father & Son spa package which includes a 40-minute body massage and 20-minute facial. The pool areas, divided by a bay window creates a stunning, trompe-l’oeil effect with views of the snow-dusted vista outdoors. State-of-the-art fitness equipment, boxing facilities and a dedicated space for Pilates and yoga all offer panoramic views across the peaks.
4. Family-friendly fun for tots and teens
Le Coucou photographed by @mister_tripper
With the help of child entertainment specialist Ladislas Boehm, Le Coucou’s new Kid’s Club by Petit VIP* is dedicated to ensuring the youngest guests have as much fun as the grown-ups. Accommodating guests aged 4–9 years old, kids can take part in creative daily workshops and activities and will get the chance to meet a welcoming snow yeti as well as friendly monsters. The Teens Lab, for children aged 10–15 years old, is a cool meet-up space, where table tennis, table football and karaoke are all available in addition to age appropriate activities based on the children’s interests. Kids Club by Petit VIP* is open daily and babies are welcome when accompanied by their parents.
5. Endless alpine experiences and events, beyond skiing
Guests at Le Coucou will be spoilt for choice with the impressive selection of unforgettable alpine adventures and experiences, all made possible by the knowledgeable concierge team. From hiking in the forest by snowshoe or on snowmobile, to dog or pony sledging down the slopes, magical hot-air balloon rides, visits to a yeti park, snow yoga on the slopes and paragliding amongst the clouds, the possibilities are endless. Lastly, avid ski fans should time their visit for the Ski World Cup, set to take place in Méribel’s Chaudanne from 16th-20th March 2022.
Once the ski season at Le Coucou ends on the 4th April, guests should follow the sunshine to the equally stylish sister properties – Hôtel Crillon le Brave (re-opening 22nd April) with a brand new spa in Provence, and Hôtel Lou Pinet (re-opening 12th May) in Saint-Tropez.