Chamonix self-catered apartments

When planning your break away to the mountains here are a few things worth thinking about before you decide what to go for.

Book early
We recommend you book your apartment accommodation as soon as possible. Apartments usually sell out quite quickly and a lot of people book as early as January for the next winter season. Book it before buying your flights or train ticket, the reason being that availability may be limited and arrival/departure dates are not always as flexible as travel options.

How long you want to stay
Most apartments in Chamonix are rented on a weekly basis only. You’ll find that Saturday to Saturday rentals are most common, but increasingly with the times being as they are, dates can be flexible and some chalet companies may provide a mix of Saturday and Sunday changeovers.

Plus shorter and longer breaks are becoming more and more popular, so some companies may be flexible on their rental dates on request. Summer bookings in Chamonix are generally much more flexible on dates and length of stay, especially outside the peak months of July and August. This means that you can come for a long weekend, for ten days or for a few days mid-week more easily.

Size matters
Apartments to rent in Chamonix range from small studios to large chalet-apartments, making them suitable for all sorts of parties, from couples looking for a romantic escapade to families or groups of friends. Before booking your apartment, you’ll need to know the exact number of people and the ages of the children coming with you on your holiday.

Know your wants and needs
There are literally hundreds of apartments on offer in Chamonix, some providing simple accommodation at the foot of the slopes and others boasting five-star luxury facilities. Most come with WiFi as standard, but check before you book if it's important, some have ski-to-door access and state-of-the-art boot warmers, some don't, and if you need a large terrace with breathtaking views, a cinema room, designer décor or a pet-friendly property, make sure you book as early as possible.

You'll also find that many high-end companies offer concierge services who’ll take care of everything, from your ski passes to your lessons, your equipment hire, chauffeur services to take you to and from the slopes or drive you around resort, private chefs and spas with massages on demand. You're spoiled for choice in Chamonix!

Apartments in Chamonix are generally rented out on a self-catered basis. However, this doesn't mean that you need to take care of everything yourself since many accommodation providers offer a wide choice of add-ons to boost your holiday experience.

Catering
Catering is often top of the list of add-ons and can range from private chefs, welcome packs for your first day, or grocery shopping to fill your fridge and pantry before you arrive. There are plenty of private chefs and catering companies working in Chamonix, so take your pick – you can hire them for the length of your stay or just a one-off special dinner. Also, in the post-Covid world, food and drink delivery services are springing up in resorts making flexible self-catering much more of an option. Gone are the days when self-catering meant someone cooking every night of their holiday (however, someone definitely still has to load the dishwasher I'm afraid!)

What else is there?
Accommodation companies offer numerous add-ons to make your holiday as hassle-free as possible. When booking your apartment, you can often include lots of other services for an additional fee, from ski hire to ski passes, ski lessons, transfers, activities and anything else you can think of. This means that you can relax knowing that all the different bits of your holiday will be taken care of. Some may even offer a bespoke concierge service through which you can book high-end treats such as a 24-hour chauffeur, massages or private tours.

Apartment rental rates depend on many things:

• facilities and services
• location within the resort
• desired dates
• size of your party
• length of your stay

In general, you can benefit from discounts if you're booking early and outside the main busy holidays (Christmas, February half-term, Easter, July and August).

Millions of euros have been invested in the tasteful development and renovation of former hotels and apartment blocks giving a real boost to the self-catering accommodation market in Chamonix without damaging the mountain feel of this magical place. Many of these renovations, as well as some of the new-builds, boast five-star facilities including indoor swimming pools, spa rooms, terraces with mountain views and even private hot tubs.

Where can you find luxury apartments in Chamonix?
You'll find them in the centre of Chamonix, near the slopes of Brévent and Les Planards. There are also a couple of luxury developments in Les Houches, near the Prarion lift, as well as in Argentière and in Les Bossons, on the outskirts of Chamonix town.

If you’re looking to organise a corporate trip or a holiday with a big group of friends, Chamonix is a great place to host it. A charming Alpine village with great nightlife and plenty of choice when it comes to group accommodation, Chamonix has lots going on and it’s situated in one of the biggest ski areas in the world.

Where can you find big apartments for groups in Chamonix?
Most of the valley's off-the-mountain action including all the major events, a wide range of restaurants and nightlife, are located in the main town. Therefore, this is where you want to be if you're coming with a group of friends or if you want to show your staff all that Chamonix has to offer.

There are some great bargains to be had in Chamonix when booking your accommodation outside the main hotspots in resort.

How can you save money on your Chamonix accommodation?
When people think of self-catering apartments in Chamonix, their mind usually pictures the infamous Cham Sud buildings, located behind the Aiguille du Midi lift station. While it is no longer the only option for those looking for apartments in town, Cham Sud is still Chamonix's only real large apartment complex and offers good, cheaper options for those wanting to come to Chamonix for a holiday. The exterior of the buildings is a bit dated and the apartments are a real mixed bag – some are tiny studios with few facilities whereas others have been tastefully renovated and offer a good central option. The advantage of being in Cham Sud is its close proximity to the Aiguille du Midi lift station and the centre of town. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, however, this is probably not the place for you – Cham Sud tends to attract a younger crowd and can be pretty lively in the winter months with a number of bars and a nightclub.

Finding ski-in/ski-out accommodation in Chamonix isn't an easy task. With the different ski areas being scattered along the length of the valley, there aren't that many apartments located at the foot of the slopes.

Where can you find ski-in/ski-out apartments in Chamonix?
Les Houches is the town where your chances of enjoying ski-to-the-door privileges are the highest, as there are a couple of apartment residences dotted along the famous black Kandahar piste and the more gentle Aillouds blue run. In the other towns in the valley, you should be content with staying close to the main lifts transporting people up the mountain. Search for apartments in the Savoy and Planards area in Chamonix town, at the foot of the Flégère gondola in Les Praz, by the Vallorcine cable car in Vallorcine or right at the departure of the Prarion gondola and the Bellevue cable car in Les Houches.