Plagne Centre La Plagne, France
Renovated
2017
Price
$$$
Rated for
Design Wellness SocialOutside the door
The house
Assas HotelsTailored Alpine lodge
The lodge swaps heavy chalet clichés for sharp tailoring, built for easy ski-in, ski-out days with the family.
What it’s good at
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Here, at the very foot of the vast Paradiski ski area, is an 84-room hotel whose redesign, by the architect Leslie Gauthier, leaves it head and shoulders above the tradition-bound, visually conservative ski-hotel norm.
Right in the middle
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Plagne Centre's slalom stadium sits right outside the door, with direct ski-in access to the wider Paradiski slopes.
The rooms
Superior rooms open onto balconies over the snow, and family rooms tuck bunk beds into dedicated alcoves.
The indoor pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The indoor lap pool is heated to 28 degrees Celsius, and children have their own splash pool.
Sauna and steam
The mosaic steam room is heated to 45 degrees Celsius, set beside a wood sauna and an ice cave.
Restaurant Araucaria
Buffet stations styled after indoor market halls serve fresh pastries and pizza beside dining tables facing the slopes.
At the table
A sculpted wood canopy hangs over the curved lobby bar, which looks straight out onto the ski slopes.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.