All posts by Stefanie

Art Chalet. Courchevel, France

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Whomever thought that mixing Picasso with a French Chalet would would be a good idea is a genius.

Art Chalet is the ultimate retreat for an art and ski lover. Do not be shocked if you walk in to the Chalet and you think you have walked into a luxury hotel by accident, you are exactly where you are supposed to be.

The 20,400sq ft chalet, located above Courchevel 1850, can be easily described with one word, extravagance with a weekly rental price of $190,000 a week. No wonder the regulars are Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Beckhams, George Clooney, Roman Abramovich and Giorgio Armani.

Once you set foot in the quaint town, a 4×4 Mercedes will whisk you from the airport and quickly transport you to your new home for a week, the chalet of your dreams.

Before you take the grand tour of your 9 bedroom humble abode, they will welcome you with decadent Champagne and canapés, however do not drink too much because you have 7 floors to explore. Keep in mind that the chalet comes with an entire team that will be at your disposal: Chefs, Chalet Manager, Masseuses, Concierge, Housekeeping and Chauffeurs.

The house homes a waterfall swimming pool surrounded by 4 flat screen TVs, a private nightclub with state-of-the-art DJ equipment, sleek glass elevators, a cinema room (in case the 4 flat screen TVs in the pool are not enough), a casino, a ski equipment room, hammam, full spa, gym and wine cellar. 

The style of the chalet is traditional on steroids, if that means anything. Due to the immense amount of art the chalet has, the security is extremely high, however you will not feel it.

Sculptures, paintings, lithographies and drawings by artists such as Picasso and Warhol are liberally scattered throughout Art Chalet. Even the light fittings are art installations, and the Japanese toilets are a stylish touch. Honestly, there is no valid reason why you should leave the chalet to go skiing. The mountain will always be there for your next trip when you stay in a chalet that is not nearly as nice as Art Chalet because you spent all of your savings that one time at the Art Chalet. 

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Travel Tip: Getting to the Best Slopes in Europe

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Traveling around Europe last year in order to find the best ski slopes in the area proved to be more confusing and challenging than anticipated. The fact that you can get to any mountain by train, car or helicopter confuses you more than you think, so in order to make your life easier and help you decide quicker which slope you will ski next, we created a short table to simplify the information out there:

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Switzerland

 

Verbier from Geneva is 2hrs by car and 3hrs by train

Verbier from Zurich is 3hrs by car and 3hrs by train

Stay: The Lodge and W Verbier

Gstaad from Geneva is 2 hrs by car and 2.50hrs by train

Gstaad from Zurich is 2.50hrs by car and 3.15hrs by train

Stay: Alpina Hotel and Gstaad Palace

St Moritz from Zurich is 3hrs by car and train

St Moritz from Milan is 3hrs by car and 4.5hrs by train

Stay: The Carlton Hotel

Andermatt from Geneva is 2hrs by car or train

Andermatt from Zurich is 3.5hrs by car

Stay:  The Chedi Residences

France

 

 

Courchevel from Geneva is 2hrs by car or shuttle

Courchevel from Lyon is 3 hrs by car or shuttle

Stay: Le Mélézin, Edelweiss Chalet and Le Petit Palais

Megève from Geneva is 1hr by car

Megève from Lyon is 2.5hrs by car

Stay: Fermes de Marie

Méribel from Geneva is 2hrs by car

Méribel from Grenoble is 2.5hrs by car or 3 hrs from Lyon

 Stay: Le Kaila

Chalet Mont Blanc. Megeve, France

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Situated high on top of a cliff overlooking the bourgeoisie town of Megève, you feel as if you are residing over your own kingdom in this one-of-a-kind chalet. Chalet Mont Blanc comprises of two neighboring buildings to give you the feeling of utmost privacy while maintaining a homey (and by homey I mean impeccably designed and chic) feel.

The chalet is ski-in and ski-out and comprised of 7 en-suite bedrooms that can accommodate up to 12 adults and 4 children.  Each room has its own design, from fluffy pink pillows and pink bean bags, to dark wood adorned with fur, and a cool black and white palette with some of the most enviable wall lighting.

The second you walk into the house your eyes are drawn to the wall-to-ceiling windows that span over all of Megève. Your eyes will also not miss the infinity pool situated right on the terrace, perfect for romantic late-night swims with your loved one after you have put the kids to bed. The chalet also comes with it’s own spa and accompanying projector screen (because every pool has to come with one of those!), hammam, sauna, and massage rooms.

The chalet’s wine cellar is big enough to set up camp in, so thats most likely where you will find me, staring lovingly at the expensive and rare wines. You can take that beautiful bottle of wine and head down to your private cinema while your chef makes a dinner so scrumptious you might take him home with you.

Worried about how you’ll get there with all of your luggage and ski equipment? Not to worry, you can take your helicopter to the chalet’s private helipad located on-site.

Chalet Edelweiss. Courchevel, France

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When you see Edelweiss for the first time, you might think you are dreaming. The Courchevel 1850 chalet is so perfect that you might have to pinch yourself several times before acknowledging that it is actually real.

Considered the largest and most luxurious chalet in the Alps, it leaves nothing to be desired. From a 100-person nightclub to a hammam, you will never want check out… that is until your bank account forces you to. The nightly rate is a staggering $450,000 USD per week, the most expensive chalet in Europe that we know of, so if you think this is too pricey, you can always share the lodge with a few friends, ha!

This 8 bedroom ski-in ski-out chalet is only 5 minutes away by foot from the charming town of Courchevel. Courchevel 1850 is the most exclusive ski resort in Europe, and the quaintest one as well.

The chalet is 3,000m² over seven floors. The eight bedrooms allows 16 to sleep heavenly with a rustic yet modern decoration so you don’t have to sacrifice any modern amenity you might want during your stay.

Their ski rooms make the most luxurious hotel’s ski room look like sad attempt with their top of the line equipment. However, my favorite common areas are the cinema room and nightclub. You will like them so much, you will not want to leave the premises at any point, not even for dinner. Every meal will be served in a gorgeous 22 person dining room with a chef that gives Alain Ducasse a run for his money.

The spa is rivaled by none, with a 14 meter pool, Jacuzzi with a bar, a hammam, sauna, two therapy rooms and a large gym.

If all of the above wasn’t enough, the chalet also comes with a full staff: butler, concierge, chef, valet parking, chauffeur, cleaning service, hair stylist, masseuses and ski instructors.

Driving to Courchevel and worried about parking? Worry no more, the house has an underground garage for 20 cars accessed by a lift. Perfect for Jay Leno and his army fleet of cars.

Do not worry if you find yourself wanting to only ski for two hours a day during your stay, clients usually suffer from SKD (short-ski-day disorder) while staying at the magnificent Edelweiss chalet.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Travel Tip: Ski Essentials for a Traveler

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There is nothing better in the world than skiing on fresh-powder, with only a mild wind and sunny skies above you. However, as we all know, packing for snowy destinations requires a lot of patience and a hefty amount of luggage. So to help our readers pack for the long winter ahead, we accumulated our favorite ski (and snowboard of course) essentials to reduce the packing-mania!

Everything from which ski jacket is most warm (and chic!) to which face moisturizer I prefer, we’ve got you covered.

The Perfect Jacket

 

The perfect jacket consists of something stylish, lightweight, and as warm as you can get. I love listening to music while I plummet my way down the mountain, quite gracefully if I do say so myself, and having a jacket with a pocket for headphones is a necessity. Now, finding practical and stylish may be hard to find, but here is our favorite for those chilly days.

Bogner Down Jacket

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Flattering (but practical) Pants

 

Finding a pair of ski pants that doesn’t make me look about 300 pounds heavier is tricky. I like a slimmer fit, but then you sacrifice warm, unless you happen to be wearing 3 layers of thermals under there. I don’t want to sacrifice my good-looks for practicality, so I found the ultra-cool brand, Bogner.

Bogner Ski Pants

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Accessories

 

It’s all about the cool accessories to personalize your outfit. From texting gloves to bright neon goggles, here is our favorite gear!

Bollé Goggles Gravity

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Women’s North Face Etip Glove

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Moisturizers

 

If the suns out and there is a snow glare, I can receive a sunburn like its my J-O-B. I need to beef up the moisturizes and sunblock during this time, so these are my favorite products that save my skin from the harshness of the winter and windburn.  I use La Mer moisturizing sunscreen, because lets be real, who doesn’t love La Mer creams? To top it all off, I use Kiehls Creme de Corps Body Butter for my cracked hands.

La Mer Reparative Sunscreen

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Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Body Polish

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Moisturizer for the Lips

 

Since your lips are usually one of the only exposed parts of your body, you have to take extra precautions when protecting them. The skin on the lips is super-sensitive, so you need a strong SPF and a deep moisturizer. For generations the women in my family have been using Anthelios, we all swear by it. Its non-greasy, light, and effective.

Anthelios XL Lip Stick SPF 50

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Après-Ski 

 

After vigorously hitting the ski slopes for the day, it’s time to put on your best après-ski outfit. If you’re somewhere trendy such as Aspen or Vail, it’s definitely time to bring out your inner fashionista. Here is our lookbook of the coziest and chicest outfits you’ll find around town!

Inverni Fur Trim Gloves

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Pedro Garcia Suede Boots

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Burberry Shearling Poncho Cape

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Maison Michel Blanche Wide-Brim Felt Hat

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 Shop:

 

 

Le Petit Palais. Courchevel, France.

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Although holiday travel is coming to an end, Posh Voyage has a few more top-secret Winter destinations for you. One of our absolute favorites, and probably the definition of chic, is Le Petit Palais, a private chalet for rent situated on the slopes of Bellecote Piste in Courchevel 1850. Expanding over 6 floors, this ski-in and ski-out chalet is the ultimate skier’s playground. It is in the perfect location to explore the charming surrounding area. Enjoy Courchevel’s glamorous nightlife, taste Michelin-starred cuisine, or some of the world’s most adventurous out-door activities, all minutes from this exclusive chalet.

The designers of the chalet tried to keep the harmony of the surrounding nature in mind when putting the finishing touches on the interior decorating. The chalet has a modern feel, complete with all the latest technology, while maintaining a natural palette or dark browns, black, and crisp whites. The chalet includes 7 bedrooms, with the Master Suite having its own 855 ft² floor. The other 6 bedrooms can accommodate up to 12 adults and 2 children in the highest of luxury. When you walk in the front door you come upon a winding staircase, which connects the whole house and it’s spectacular views. The second floor is the perfect place to entertain guests with a log-burning fireplace, TV lounge, and private bar. The basement level comes with its own private spa and gym. Enjoy massage and facial therapies in the privacy of your own home.

As part of staying at Le Petit Palais, complimentary services include a private chef, butler, chauffeur service, and private garage. The best services the chalet comes with however, are the ski equipment, ski instructor, and ski passes, to top off a fantastic stay in one of the most romantic places in the world. Not to mention the chalet comes with it’s own hair salon and nightclub. Once you get to Le Petit Palais, you may never leave! Everything you could want and need is at your fingertips. For only, $100,000- $250,000 a week, this dream home could be yours.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Top 5: Travel Gifts for the Procrastinators

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The Holidays are right around the corner, which is why we’ve compiled a list of our top 5 favorite travel accessories and decor, for the inner procrastinator in us. Perfect little things from wall decor to cool mugs, your loved world-traveler will enjoy all of these things!

Hand-Crafted Globe

 

Give the gift of a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted globe. What started out as an 80-year-old’s birthday gift, turned into a worldwide sensation from Bellemy & Co. Nothing shows what a world-wide traveler you are like a globe that you can mark off the places you’ve been. Their inventory ranges from mini desk globes to the grand Galileo Globe.

Hand-Crafted Globes

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See the World Beautiful

 

Fashion photographer turned world-traveler, Anne Menke saw the beauty of styler wherever she went while she circumnavigated the globe. This book is a compilation of some of the most wildly beautiful things and people she saw during her travels. Learn about where some of the world’s top designers got their inspiration from. It is the perfect coffee table book and sure to be a interesting conversation topic.

See the World Beautiful

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Day and Night Mug

 

Adorned with a map of the world on this super-cool mug, you’ll want to get so hyped up on coffee to watch this mug fad to nighttime. When warm beverages within begin to cool, the global scene on the mug’s exterior changes from day to night. This is the perfect gift for your coffee obsessed Father-in-Law or tea fanatic cousin.

Day and Night Mug

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Customizable Neon Sign

 

Choose your loved one’s favorite place in the world and create a custom-made neon sign. Every time they pass by this sign it will bring back amazing memories of a favorite trip or significant place in their lives’. You can choose any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols just remember to also order a transformer so this gift doesn’t go up in flames!

Customizable Neon Sign 

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Meshu Jewelry

 

Have a special vacation or adventure that stood out from the rest, such as a honeymoon or anniversary trip? Map the route of one specific trip (or everywhere you’ve been in the world), and let Meshu create your specific geometric shape. You can turn that shape into a necklace, a ring, earrings, a poster or coasters of varying textures and designs. Keep that trip literally close to your heart with this very thoughtful gift! Perfect for your significant other or hubby. 

Meshu Jewelry

 

 

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The Resort at Paws Up. Montana.

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There is something about Montana dude ranches that make me swoon. Maybe it is the childhood memories it brings me (given that my parents used to take my siblings and me every year to the same ranch), or maybe it is the jaw-dropping scenery that only Montana has to offer.

After years of research, we found out favorite ranch, Ranch at Paws Up. Situated in the heart of a sprawling 37,000-acre cattle ranch in Montana, is the luxurious Resort at Paws Up. Paws Up brings a whole new dimension to the concept of a dude-ranch, while this is a place for the outdoors-lovers, its also incorporates rustic luxury and style. Each day is a new adventure, from fly-fishing to horse-back riding excursions to hot air balloon rides, I promise you could never be bored. Paws Up also has a Glamping component, for those who want to be immersed in the pristine wilderness without sacrificing the amenities of a 5-star hotel.

Families and couples can choose to stay in a luxury vacation home or a luxury tent (the tent is way more fun). The luxury vacation homes offers complete seclusion for your family in your own little wilderness sanctuary. Luxury ranch accommodations come with complete with panoramic vistas and an extensive list of features such as a great room with a soaring vaulted ceiling, a cook’s kitchen, a loft game room, and three master suites featuring en-suite master bathrooms outfitted with a spacious slate shower, a jetted spa tub, sumptuous spa products and plush towels. If I could stay in any of the homes I would stay in the Wilderness Estates; large, private, and oh-so-chic.

The camps are designed for a large family who wants to enjoy the quiet of the wilderness, while still being connected to the Resort, you even get your own Camp Butler! There are 5 different types of camps to chose from, my favorite being the Cliffside Camp. Located across Paws Up’s famous covered bridge and atop a soaring cliff that overlooks the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek, Cliffside Camp combines luxurious amenities with the Resort’s most stunning views to create the ultimate Glamping experience in Montana. There are four two-bedroom tent suites feature plenty of room for families, while two one-bedroom (adult-only) honeymoon tents serve as the quintessential accommodations for romantic getaways. 

If you’re worried about refined culinary offerings, don’t be. The Resort comes with 6 different dining options, all using the freshest and most organic options, without sacrificing that great smoked meat flavor. Your must-experience dining option is Chuck Wagon, their outdoor dining experience. Climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage to Blackfoot River and enjoy an Angus Prime Ribs, cooked before your very own eyes. After your ginormous meal, head to Spa Town, an entire clearing dedicated to wellness and spa treatments within your own private tent. Life out there in the unspoiled wilderness is so perfect, you’ll forget about your city life altogether!

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Les Fermes de Marie. Megève, France.

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Full of elegance and charm, Megève is the secret hot spot for the French elite to go skiing and wellness. Les Fermes de Marie is a complex of 9 ski chalets in Megève, constructed with materials taken from the forests of the mountain, this ski chalet is several centuries old. Every antique, beam, marble piece has a story to tell and while staying at Les Fermes de Marie, you will have the innate feeling you are staying in some very prestigious wooden ski chalet. If you’re looking for a place to let your kids be kids, and the adults have adult time, the chalet comes with a space for the younger generation designed especially for them, the Hameau des Enfants. 

The rooms are designed with high-vaulted wooden ceilings, hand-crafted wooden furniture, and a bed adorned with furs that looks so cozy I could hibernate in it for the rest of the winter. Almost all the rooms come with a balcony or terrace and a bathroom with a deep soaking tub to release that winter ache. The staff’s favorite room in the chalet is ‘La Suite Blanche’. This chalet of 90 m² faces the village of Megève and contains a lounge with a fireplace and terrace, a bedroom with two beds, and a small bedroom with one bed, perfect for a large family! You can also choose to stay in one of their two private chalets, Chalets des Fermes de Marie or Le Chalet Chatel.

When meal time comes, you can choose from 5 dining options. Restaurant Traditionnel cooks balanced stove-top meals, loaded with flavor and protein. My favorite meal at the restaurant is the Coquillettes aux truffes et jambon de sauget (coquillettes with truffles and ham of Sauget). Restaurant Alpin is more casual, but centered around Alpine delicacies. They also always have a dessert cart out, so that’s where you’ll find me during dinner time!

The Spa as Les Fermes de Marie, is my favorite pastime at this magical chalet, developed by the Pure Altitude brand. There are 17 individual treatment cabins at your disposal. This spa focuses on gentle movements on the body combined with the right natural ingredients to evoke stress-reducing chemicals. My favorite treatment is the ‘Energétique des Alpes’ Ritual. It’s a massage-treatment combining manual techniques with linen bags full of salts and mountain plants, a balancing, draining and relaxing treatment.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Travel Tip: How to Spend Christmas with Santa Claus

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Looking for the most idyllic and spirited places to spend the holidays with your fabulous family? We found our Top 3 luxury hotels and that happen to host that special someone, the guy who decides our Christmas gift fates, big ol’ Santa Claus. Each of these chic hotels offer a chance for your kids (or you, no judgement) to meet the big guy, and spend the rest of your holiday enjoying what matters, your family.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Santa House- Finland

 

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Igloos view from air Kakslauttanen TIFF

Deep in the heart of the Finnish Forest, located on the outskirts of the Arctic Circle, is Santa’s House. Maybe not Santa’s actual house (or maybe it is who knows!), but if Santa did have a home in Finland, it would look like this. A beautiful red cabin decorated with powdered snow, it sits at the end of a walking bridge, surrounded by Christmas trees, truly a sight to see. You can schedule a sit-down with Santa and a tour of the home. You can also, if available, spend a night in Santa’s House! Which will give your kids such bragging rights because who else can say they’ve slept over at Santa’s House?

There is also Santa’s Celebration House, the largest log cabin in all of Finland. It can accommodate up to 250 guests and is there perfect place to host your Christmas celebration feast. The elevated floor section enables everything from perfume launches, to sports cars, to orchestras featured on it.

 The Resort at Paws Up- Montana

 

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For those who want to get away (but not too far away) from the hustle & bustle of the city life with your family, The Resort at Paws Up is in the perfect location for the holidays. Stay in one of their cozy vacation homes and enjoy your own personally decorated Christmas tree right next to the wood burning fire. They have everything from snowmobiling, to cross-country skiing, and horse-drawn sleigh rides through their hundreds of wilderness trails. The best part about Paws Up however, is that every family gets their own Santa! Santa can come the night before Christmas and read Christmas stories or even the next morning to pass out presents. This is definitely the resort to stay at if you’re trying to keep the magic of Christmas well and alive for you and your children.

 

Schlosshotel Igls- Austria

 

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Located in the Austrian Alps, on a mountain plateau overlooking the picturesque town of Innsbruck, is Schlosshotel Igls. Schloss Igls is set on 5,000m² of powdered snow land, with 18 rooms and suites each decorated uniquely. If you don’t feel like sharing your Christmas Holiday with strangers, the whole hotel is available to rent out for your holiday vacation. Activities include dog-sledding, horse-drawn sleigh ride, tobogganing in the moonlight, and even an igloo building workshop. Even though Santa doesn’t exactly come to stay at the hotel, this winter wonderland will have you feeling full of seasons’ greetings and holiday joy.