Chic Chalet Guide: Criteria for inclusion

The Criteria

To qualify for inclusion in The Chic Chalet Guide, a certain level of luxury is expected. The property should, in general, cost a minimum of £1000pp for a week’s catered stay. It should usually have spa facilities, state-of-the-art TV, outdoor hot tub, heated boot warmers and its own transport. It should also be well staffed, including a professionally trained chef.

If you know of a chalet that fits these criteria, please do get in touch with your suggestion. We are always looking for additional properties that genuinely make the grade.

Here is a breakdown of the categories that come under scrutiny in our reviews and what exactly it is we look for in each. Remember, too, that no chalet can pay to be in the Guide.

• USP
• Location
• Style
• Rooms
• Food & drink
• Service
• Spa Facilities
• Children
• Extras
• For skiers
• For non-skiers
• Best thing
• Worst thing
• Chic Chalet Guide tip
• Guestbook
• Getting there
• Bottom line
• Booking & enquiries
• Scores out of 10

The Categories

USP
The property must have something special about it – something that sets it apart from other ski chalets. It could be the fact that it is owned by Sir Richard Branson, or that it has its own private funiculaire, for example.

LOCATION
This, too, should be special. We look for genuinely ski-in ski-out chalets, or ones that are not too far from a lift or resort centre or, best of all, properties with fabulous views.

STYLE
We look at the overall style of a chalet and assess whether it is rustic chic, say, or more James Bond mountain lair. Whichever, it must be interior designed to the highest standards.

ROOMS
We scrutinise everything in the individual bedrooms from the threadcount of the bed linen to the size and make of mattress, the style, the size and whether there is a balcony. We also point out which is the best room to stay in and which toiletries are supplied – we expect smart brand names such as Jo Malone or Cowshed, and preferably ones that have an exclusive deal with the chalet. ^

FOOD & DRINK
Our inspectors look at everything from the background and training of the chef (such as if s/he trained with Raymond Blanc, or worked with Heston Blumenthal), to the inspiration behind the cooking, the brand of house champagne, range of wines and typical menus. It must all be of the highest restaurant standard. ^

SERVICE
Is this over-friendly, or professional butler style? We assess the level and style of service, and expect the senior staff at least to be professionally involved in hospitality rather than merely on a gap year. ^

SPA FACILITIES
The chalet should usually have a dedicated treatment room as well as a pool, sauna and steam room. We find out what massage and beauty treatments are on offer and how far in advance they need to be booked, if at all. ^

CHILDREN
This is a key area. So many families wish to bring their children with them, but they need to be assured that their offspring will be safe, happy and well catered for. We look at what special facilities there are (eg babysitting service, high chairs, cots, changing facilities, baby listening, separate meals), whether there is a minimum age, if there are any kids' play areas/adult no-go zones, and what can be arranged specifically for children with the ski schools and ski instructors. We look at the general child friendliness of the chalet and see whether it is just paying lip service or is properly set up for little ones. ^

EXTRAS
This goes beyond the expected boot warmers, wi-fi access and outdoor hot tub. It is the section in which a chalet’s genuine luxury and point of difference can truly shine. This might be anything from state-of-the-art in-room entertainment to a billiard table, private cinema or free in-chalet entertainment. ^

FOR SKIERS
A Chic Chalet Guide property must have access to the best ski instructors in resort, but what sort of arrangement is there? Are they on a permanent retainer? Can the chalet lay on a mountain guide at little notice? How much notice is required by guests? ^

FOR NON-SKIERS
Many guests might not be keen on skiing, or might prefer to relax indoors when the weather is bad. A chalet must offer a range of non-ski activities or entertainment such as DVDs to watch, games to play or even shopping trips to the nearest town. ^

BEST THING
We like to highlight something detailed about the chalet that really merits attention. It could be the fact that a fire is laid in your room every afternoon in time for your descent off the slopes, or the out-of-this-world canapés or freshly brewed morning coffee. ^

WORST THING
No chalet is perfect, and The Chic Chalet Guide does not flinch from pointing out any shortcomings. It might be that the chalet does not lay on transport in the evenings or that there are no spa facilities. ^

CHIC CHALET GUIDE TIP
No chalet is featured in the guide without one of our team staying there, and in this section we give insider tips that only someone who has been a guest could offer. This could be anything, from ‘don’t miss the breakfast smoothies’ to ‘book the local restaurant at the beginning of the week’. ^

GUESTBOOK
Other people’s thoughts, sneakily gleaned from the chalet guestbook, can be useful guides to prospective future guests. We choose a range of comments, both good and bad (if bad exist). ^

GETTING THERE
Which is the nearest airport or train station to the chalet? Are transfers offered? Do they cost extra or are they included? All the important travel information is itemised, including whether heli transfers are available. ^

BOTTOM LINE
How many does the chalet sleep? Does it have to be booked in its entirety? What is the starting from price, per person per week? Many chalets prefer to give a whole chalet rate rather than a pp rate, but we try to provide a pp rate so that comparisons can be made more easily. All prices are catered, unless otherwise indicated. ^

BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
In this section we provide a link through to our contacts page for anyone who has any queries about a particular chalet. If we cannot answer, or if they simply want to book or ask about availability, we will put them in touch with the chalet operator directly. ^

SCORES OUT OF 10
We give each property a mark out of 10 on each of the following categories: chalet, service, room, food & drink, and luxury. An overall rating is awarded in the chalet summaries. If a property scores lower than seven in any area it will not feature in the Guide, unless there is something exceptional about it and it more than qualifies in the other areas.

An independent guide to luxury ski chalets

The Criteria

The Categories