Alpaga in Rhône-Alpes

Mountain playground Megève – the traditional Rhône-Alpes town in the shadow of Mont Blanc – may attract more trophy-dog toting oligarchs than La Croisette, but there’s a good reason that it’s so popular with the jet set: summer or winter, it’s a beautiful resort with exceptional family facilities. Alpaga is an idyllically located luxury lodge, with mesmerising valley views and interiors that evoke all that’s charming about Alpine decor, without a hint of flouncy gingham to ruin the view. Rooms are housed in two three-storey chalets, brilliantly linked to the hotel’s spa, bar and lobby by underground tunnels (if that doesn’t impress your children enough, watch their faces when you tell them that they can have a go at dog-sledding). Book your children into the skiing kindergarten so you can enjoy unwinding with a relaxing session in the hotel’s spa pool.

- Worth getting out of bed for Sound Of Music-style trilling and twirling aside, there’s a world of wonders waiting to entertain your little Heidis and mini-Bonds in the mountains: there are carriage rides, snowboarding tuition, ice-skating, climbing-wall sessions and pottery – anything and everything can be arranged locally. Further afield, the pretty town of Annecy is less than an hour’s drive away; in summer, its vast lake is a magnet for water babies of all ages, with windsurfing, sailing and even some beaches to play on. 

- Best rooms Families will find that a spacious Prestige room is a good option. It can have an extra bed added so that it sleeps two adults and two children, and has either a mezzanine or reading corner. Or request the interconnecting rooms (numbers 33 and 34) for more space and privacy. There are also four self-contained apartments available – each sleeps up to four and has a kitchenette – which is useful if you want to cater for yourselves every so often. Rates: Rooms from €280–€550 per room, per night, based on two sharing, including Continental breakfast and taxes. Cots and extra beds are provided free. Closed during May, June, October and November. Tel: 0033 (0)4 5054 6536; www.lodgemontagnard.com

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