Hotel Manali Courchevel

Courchevel

Courchevel embodies the perfect blend of luxury and a winter sports vacation and has been an international symbol of an up scaleresort catering to the rich and famous for more than 50 years. As proof that its reputation is intact, new five star hotels are opening on a regular basis. Of the fifty or so establishments here, twenty are luxury hotels. The resort opened in May, 1946 with the goal of creating a winter vacation spot for all social layers of the population in order to increase tourism in the Savoie region by making the mountains available to everyone. This idea continued until the late 1990s, when the mindset changed enabling more luxurious hotels to be built, especially the village of Courchevel 1850 which became a favorite vacation site for Russian oligarchs. Although the three other villages are still fairly family oriented, the image of Courchevel as a deluxe resort is now anchored in people’s minds. Courchevel’s 119 slopes cover 493 kilometers, making it one of the world’s largest skiable areas. In addition, it possesses 174 ski lifts for its 32,000 tourists in high season, as well as 800 monitors.

When the Orient takes to the slopes

The Manali Hotel does not go unnoticed. Even before entering, one is struck by its imposing dark wood façade which contrasts beautifully with the snow filled setting of Courchevel. Once inside, the vivid colors of India transport visitors into a distant land, light years away, it would seem, from any thought of skiing, although that would be forgetting the fact that Manali is an extremely well known Indian ski resort. With an interior décor of elephants and other Indian objects, the Manali gives Courchevel a sense of Bollywood! As an unusual and unique member of this French resort’s hotel scene, the Manali immediately enchants visitors with its red and orange tones, creating a comforting and protective atmosphere. The frescoes and paintings, all made by hand, add authentic warmth to the common areas and serve to embellish the entire site. The bar, with its fireplace in the form of a Tibetan bell is a convivial and restful spot. The sensual enchantment continues into the rooms and suites with their three different atmospheres: Indian, Canadian and Swiss. The Indian rooms sparkle with vivid colors, in contrast to the natural tones of the spruce wood furniture. The Canadian rooms pay tribute to the forests of its vast country with a décor in rounded natural wood invoking a log cabin, and the wool Savoyard fabrics add a comfortable local touch. The suites, in the Swiss style are simple and sophisticated with leather chairs, and wood paneled walls and ceilings. The Manali, the only five star hotel in the resort located in Courchevel Moriond, receives an exceptional amount of sunshine and is located at the foot of the ski slopes. The terrace, facing south, is a privileged relaxation site as is the spa whose heated indoor pool is nothing less than extraordinary.

The site known as Moriond is an historic part of Courchevel 150. It was here that the resort’s first mechanical ski lifts were installed in 1946.