It was my first time in a ski resort and to this part of the world, Val Thorens. Located in the Tarentaise Valley, Savoie, French Alps, it is the highest ski resort in Europe, at a 2300 metre altitude. We arrived in the evening, past sunset having travelled on the train from Paris to Mutiers train station where the hotel shuttle bus picked us up.
The Koh-I Nor takes its name from the 105,6 carat diamond on the crown of the British royal and in Persian it means ”Mountain of light”. Perched on a hill top has an impressive diamond shaped glass exterior and you enter a glass lift to ascend into the reception area where the lovely staff were there to welcome us. It’s very atmospheric with a live piano player and people having drinks in the lounge bar. I’ve already chosen the suspended egg chair as my spot for the night.
Our room is more like a modern apartment, on two floors with the bedroom upstairs and a lounge and bathroom (with heated floors) downstairs. I love this set up, it makes you feel like you are at home and the bed is absolutely one of the best beds I have ever slept in.
After a blissful nights sleep we were up to watch the spectacular sun rise from the balcony, watching the sky turn blue and orange as it appeared from the behind the mountains. Good morning Val Thorens!
The slopes are literally located next to the hotel, and the fabulous outdoor terrace is the perfect spot to enjoy another coffee in the morning with a blanket wrapped around you, and watch the adventurous skier’s glide past across the snowy mountains. This is indeed for what I did for the morning before heading to the spa. My ski lessons were starting tomorrow so I took full advantage of having a day to full relax.
Spa
The spa is stunning, flooded in natural light and and with all the bells and whistles sooth the skin relax the muscles and detox the body – two pools, fitness center, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, experience showers, salt wall, and ice fountain. There are four treatment rooms for massages and beauty therapies. I treated myself to a head and shoulder massage, a necessity for someone who works a lot at a computer!
Food
There are 3 restaurants, the gourmet “Le Diamant Noir” for fine dining; the newest addition Le Cave, headed by Michelin starred chef Eric Samson, presenting local specialties, made of carefully selected regional products; and L’Atelier d’Eric, an international restaurant reveals that offers a set menu of five dishes and an exceptional buffet breakfast. Champagne is an option at breakfast should you want a bit of Dutch courage before hitting the slopes!
The Koh I Nor is your hotel if you are looking to ski in, ski out and spa out. Now I understand why ski + spa is such a heavenly combo! We were glowing from the inside out after our stay in the Mountain of Light!
Getting there:
Moutiers Train Station is 37 km from the property and Chambéry Airport is 112 km away.
Contact:
Rue de Gebroulaz
73440 Val Thorens
+33 4 79 31 00 00
[email protected]
