Best Hotels, Bars & Restaurants in Megève: A Luxury Guide to This Glamorous Ski Resort

For decades, the alpine town of Megève has quietly maintained its position as one of France's most elegant ski resorts. Less ostentatious than Courchevel but no less chic, it's a destination that balances heritage and sophistication, with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and views that frame Mont Blanc like a painting. While winter remains its high season, Megève is increasingly a year-round destination, with plenty to offer even after the snow begins to melt.

Megève's history is just as storied as its clientele. In the 1920s, the Rothschild family sought a French alternative to St. Moritz and chose Megève for its beauty and accessibility. They transformed the modest farming village into a glamorous alpine retreat, building luxury hotels and ski infrastructure. It soon became the winter playground of European aristocracy, setting the tone for the chic but understated resort it remains today.

Our base for the trip was Hôtel Coeur de Megève, a charming boutique stay in the centre of town. It has the soul of a chalet, with a warm, modern, wood-clad aesthetic and a cosy, unpretentious atmosphere that makes you feel instantly at home. Each morning, we started with a generous buffet breakfast before heading to the slopes. Our room had a spacious balcony overlooking the river that burbles through town – a perfect suntrap for a morning coffee. The little spa can be booked for exclusive use, and a sauna/experience shower combo was perfect at the end of the day. 

I was kitted out in this season’s skiwear from Perfect Moment - which you can handily rent via My Wardrobe HQ, ideal if you want to look the part and keep up with the trends without committing to the full investment.

On the slopes, we were guided by Jean-Claude from ESF Megève, a wonderfully zen presence who treated skiing almost like a form of meditation. Chatty and charismatic, he was determined to get us to smile and relax, constantly reminding us that tension is the enemy of good skiing. As we toured the mountain, he peppered our runs with bits of local history and anecdotes, making him both an excellent instructor and a brilliant companion. We struck gold with the weather: bluebird days that made for excellent skiing, with soft snow up top and warmer springlike conditions at the base. 

A mid-morning break at Chalet Lupo in the Rochebrune area was a highlight – we sipped hot chocolate with their resident dog dropping sticks at our feet, taking in views of an untouched valley that felt a world away from the crowds, and where J-C regaled us with tales of his grandparents who lived and met in the very valley we gazed over. 

Lunch options on the mountain are abundant, but our favourite was Relais des Fermes, nestled at the foot of the slopes by the Rochebrune lift station. The escargot and foie gras were quintessentially French, while a rich, truffle-laden mac and cheese stole the show and set us up for a another few hours of skiing. Another day we tried Hibou d'Arbois for fondue; another suntrap located at the foot of the slopes by the Mont d’Arbois lift station, and a golf course of the same name in summer. 

Afternoons call for après ski celebrations, and La Folie Douce always provides exactly that – a mountainside party with great music, flowing rosé, and a joyful atmosphere. The Saint Gervais outpost is located at just under 2000m at the summit of the Mont Joux chairlift, and the views towards Mont Blanc are quite spectacular. 

For something more serene, L’Idéal 1850 lived up to its name: perched on the side of Mont d’Arbois with panoramic views, and kitted out by Giorgio Armani. We stopped here for a drink on our last slope home and soaked up the views, equal parts glitz and natural grandeur.

But Megève is far more than just a ski resort. Year-round, the town offers an impressive range of activities for non-skiers and summer visitors alike. In winter, there's ice skating at the open-air rink in the village square, husky sledding and snow-shoeing through snowy trails, and even hot air balloon rides for a truly unforgettable view of the Alps. When the snow melts, Megève transforms into a paradise for hikers, cyclists, and golf enthusiasts, with well-marked trails winding through meadows and forests, and an 18-hole golf course perched on the Mont d'Arbois plateau. Wellness is also a strong suit here, with many hotels offering high-end spas and treatments focused on relaxation and recovery. For culture lovers, the town hosts classical music festivals, art exhibitions, and regular farmers' markets that celebrate local produce and traditions. 

In the afternoons, especially when our legs begged for a break, we explored the village itself. One of the most memorable ways to do this was via horse and carriage – an old-fashioned but charming way to see the town's prettiest corners. We stopped at La Chocolaterie, tucked inside the Grand Hotel Soleil d’Or, for what might be the best hot chocolate in town. Their patisserie counter is also worth a visit, whether you’ve earned it with ski laps or not.

The village is also a haven for shopping. As well as luxury stalwarts like Hermès and Loro Piana, there are local treasures such as Allard, the inventor of the first fitted ski trousers – a detail that nods to Megève’s fashion-forward sporting heritage. From high fashion to alpine kitsch, it’s easy to lose an afternoon here.

Dining in Megève is serious business. On one evening, we ventured to Le Saint Nicolas at the Coin du Feu hotel, where the experimental and talented chef serves up refined dishes inspired by both Alpine tradition and the owner’s Provençal roots. The restaurant was full of well-heeled French diners, the kind who have been coming to, or lived in, Megève for generations. The open kitchen adds a modern energy to the otherwise classically cosy setting.

Another standout was Brasserie Benjamin at the Four Seasons Megève. Here, the focus is on elegant simplicity and seasonal ingredients: tender local venison, house-baked sourdough with pine butter, and a hazelnut chocolate soufflé that felt like a minor miracle. The sommelier’s wine pairings were thoughtful and perfectly judged, and the staff made us feel genuinely welcome and seemed excited to share the experience with us.

Back at our hotel, we tried Beefbar on the ground floor of Hôtel Coeur de Megève. Recently opened, it’s a haven for meat lovers, with a jovial atmosphere and attentive service. A standout starter of Kobe beef carpaccio was followed by perfectly cooked steak with an array of potato preparations. We finished with their signature 'chocolate bar' dessert, an indulgent homage to childhood favourites that was so rich we took the leftovers with us and enjoyed them for days.

Whether you come to ski, spa, shop, or simply stroll through town, Megève offers the kind of charm that can’t be faked. It’s understated, stylish, and effortlessly French – a place where tradition and modernity sit side by side, all under the ever-watchful gaze of Mont Blanc.

For more information visit www.megeve-tourisme.fr/en/