Le Grand Blanc

Big White = Big Joy

The Chalet le Grand Blanc is the combined chalet and annex and sleeps 14 adults and 2 children. The concept grew from an ideal to create a chalet that would honour the majesty of its mountain environment architecturally and by a build that prioritised sustainable materials. While meeting this dream, it would swathe its guests in luxury and glamour. Setting the bar high! With its self-assured profile echoing the jagged peaks that surround Cervinia’s sunny bowl, with its crafted wooden frame and with its imaginatively designed interiors, Chalet le Grand Blanc certainly stands out. It demonstrates its respect for the natural world while creating an ambiance of sophisticated comfort and, as the airy rooms are bathed in diffused light through the graceful brise soleil, of beauty.

This fusion of natural materials, contemporary lines and a waft of elegance breathes through the 130sqm of living, dining and socialising space on the top floor. Large picture windows face south, down the valley, taking full advantage of Cervinia’s enviable sunshine, as do those throughout the chalet. The north facades of the building are more closed to shield from the harsh weather, as was the case in traditional times when protection and energy conservation were priorities over views to the Monte Cervino. We can think of a few new chalets who could learn a few things – Chalet le Grand Blanc did.

As well as the usual huge sofa and blazing fire there is a corner bar and more seating in a loggia, a protected semi-enclosed balcony, on the side of the building. The kitchen, open-plan and sociable, is well equipped and is where a buffet breakfast will be served each day between 07:30 and 09:30. As well as a rich array of regional products, there are fresh dishes of eggs or pancakes, cooked at your bidding. Staff are on hand from 08:00 to 19:00 and will clean the chalet daily.

Four bedrooms are on the middle floor. They are all basically doubles with en-suites but certainly go beyond the basic. Each one is an individually designed nurturing nest wrapped in dark wood. Two of them convert between doubles and twins and another has a seating area with a double sofa bed. Bathrooms are flamboyant, with polished marble and hydromassage shower columns. One has a freestanding bathtub. Another double bedroom on the ground floor has facilities to ensure that guests with reduced mobility are totally comfortable and all floors are connected by a lift. There are a further two bedrooms in the annexe to the chalet - there two rooms share a lovely shower room.

The spa is where Chalet le Blanc turns to utter sybaritic indulgence. It is opulent with dramatic marble, sultry lighting and a hanging ethanol burning fireplace. The jacuzzi is vast and has a view to the mountainside. Experience the dry heat of the sauna or breathe the heavy, steamy air of the Hammam. Outside a fire-pit burns crazily tempting everyone outside to the terrace where, when nestled in a sheepskin swathed chair it is no longer crazy but the most beautiful place in the world. If the night sky is clear, watch the dance of the stars. There seem to be so many more of them over the mountains. Chalet le Grand Blanc reminds us to take a bit more care of this precious environment.