Best place for coffee
Restaurant Les Cretes
Tougnette, Meribel, tel. +33 (0) 609 40 51 04
This piste-side restaurant on the Tougnette ridge is an attractive old farm
building with stunning mountain views and a large sun terrace with
deckchairs in the snow. The hot drinks are around €3.50, plus there’s hearty
mountain food for lunch.
Lunch on the mountain
Cote 2,000
Meribel-Mottaret; tel. +33 (0) 479 00 55 40
The Cote 2,000 is famous for its oyster bar, but it’s the sun terrace and
delicious regional dishes that pull in the crowds at this mountain
restaurant. Order at the bar and the food is brought to your table.
Where to stay
Chalet Lapin Blanc
www.purpleski.com; tel. 01885 488799
This stylish, spacious chalet sleeps 14 and has stunning mountain views.
There’s a cinema, sauna, outdoor hot tub with views of the piste, heated
boot warmers in the ski room, flat-screen televisions in every room and the
Purple Ski’s signature top-class catering. The chalet costs from £610 -
£2,436 per person per week including half board plus afternoon tea, wine
with dinner, beer, newspapers, baby sitting on one night and chauffeured
minibus around Meribel.
Hotel Allodis
Le Belvedere; tel. tel. +33 (0) 479 00 56 00; www.hotelallodis.com
Allodis’ three stars do not do the hotel justice. Charming alpine décor, good
food, and an impressive spa area boasting sauna, steam room and swimming
pool means it has everything for the skier – plus a hearty breakfast and
dinner included in room rates starting from €231 a night.
Pierre
& Vacances Crets Residence
Mottaret, Meribel; www.pv-holidays.com
These apartments are at the top of a small funicular railway above Mottaret.
They sleep between four and eight people and have wireless internet access,
fully equipped kitchen, bathroom with separate toilet and balcony or
terrace. There’s also a heated ski room with lockers and boot dryer and
access to a nearby indoor swimming pool and saunas. They cost from €980 per
week per apartment.
Apres ski
Le Rond Point
Rond Point, Meribel; tel. +33 (0) 479 00 37 51; www.rondpointmeribel.com
Affectionately known as Ronnie’s offers live music every night and reputedly
the best toffee vodka in the Alps. The happy hour is 4pm-5pm when beer by
the pitcher is in demand, and the band plays 5pm-7pm. It’s a bustling bar
with a huge terrace, and serves pizza from €14 and a la carte dishes from
€18.
Best restaurant
Le Blanchot
Altiport, Meribel; tel. +33 (0) 479 00 55 78
This attractive chalet is perfect for an atmospheric evening away from the
bustle of Meribel centre. The gastronomic menu includes fresh fish,
innovative combinations and exceptional presentation, with the puddings and
cheese board an absolute must. Starters cost €19-32, mains €28-39 and
desserts €11-16.
Airport transfers: The Times, Times Online and Sunday Times team hired a car
through www.carrentals.co.uk,
which offers car hire from Geneva airport from £146 a week.
