Where to stay in Chamonix

When it comes to booking accommodation in Chamonix, there is certainly no shortage of choice.

Whether you're looking for luxury hotels, chalets for large groups or apartments that are as close to the lifts as possible, you’ll find it all here.

If you’re holidaying with kids

Trudging around in ski boots is no fun for anyone. If your kids are booked in for ski lessons, you might want to consider booking accommodation near one of the nursery slopes.

If you want ski-in ski-out

Chamonix has a small selection of ski-in ski-out accommodation, due to the low altitude of the valley floor. Most of it’s in Les Houches.

If you want to party

You’ll want to stay as close to Chamonix as possible. There are a few bars in Argentière and Les Houches, but most of the après-ski action is in town itself.

If you’re on a budget

Cham Sud is a good choice for studios and small apartments. Although on the smaller side, most of these places will have pull-out sofas and bunks.

If you want luxury

You'll find luxurious chalets in most parts of Chamonix, but villages like Les Praz have more than their fair share of hot tubs, home cinemas and indulgence.

Staying right in the centre of Chamonix means you'll be able to walk to and from the resort’s main facilities and attractions (even if you've had a few).

Who should stay in Chamonix?

If you want to be first on the lifts in the morning and last out of the bars in the evening, then booking accommodation in Chamonix town itself is a must.

Chamonix is where you will find the largest choice of accommodation, bars, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. By basing yourself here, you'll really get a feel for this legendary Alpine town, its history and, of course, that famous alpine après ski!

All types of holiday accommodation are on offer here, from luxury hotels to simple self-catering apartments, many within easy reach of the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

The north western edge of Chamonix leads you towards the Brévent-Flégère ski area and is known for receiving the most sunshine in the valley. It's also got great views of Mont Blanc.

Cheaper areas within walking distance of Chamonix town centre

Les Pélerins and Les Gaillands are a flat 5 to 10 minute walk from Chamonix town centre. Accommodation here is popular because it's still super convenient for town, but tends to be a little cheaper. 

Situated 8km further up the valley from Chamonix town and below the infamous Aiguille Verte and Drus, lies the picturesque village of Argentière.

While Chamonix itself has a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere, Argentière retains more of an Alpine village charm: the chalets and hotels here tend to be traditionally Savoyard in style and with more space and larger gardens than those in Chamonix town.

Who should stay in Argentière?

The main attraction of staying in Argentière is its proximity to the Grands Montets ski area which is home to some of the most exciting skiing in the world – both on and off piste.

Argentière may be a mountain lovers’ paradise with a laidback feel, but it still offers a good handful of shops, nice restaurants and après ski bars with live music.

Les Houches is one of the largest towns in the Chamonix Valley and very popular with its long-term dwellers. It's the closest of the Chamonix 'resorts' to Geneva.

Who should stay in Les Houches?

With good amenities, restaurants and bars, and home to the valley’s easiest ski area, Les Houches is a good choice for those looking for a more relaxed Chamonix holiday experience.

Understandably popular with families, Les Houches is also home to some of Chamonix’s few ski in/ski out chalets as well as a number of niche eco-chalets.

Les Houches skiing area may not be the most extreme in the valley but it is certainly challenging and the pistes are regularly used for international events. The most notable of these is the ‘Kandahar’ run, which features on the Men’s Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit.

Les Houches is also the unofficial start and end point for the Tour du Mont Blanc hiking circuit (although you can start the tour from a number of different places). 

Les Praz and Les Bois are just outside of Chamonix Town, en route to Argentière. They're two tranquil spots dotted with gorgeous chalets.

Who should stay in Les Praz and Les Bois?

If you're looking for high-end, large chalets and luxury accommodation with hot tubs, home cinemas and enough space to build an army of snowmen in the garden, this is the area of the valley for you.

Most of the hotels, apartments and chalets here have exceptional panoramic views of the whole Chamonix Valley from Le Tour across to Les Drus, the Aiguilles, Mont Blanc and down to Les Houches.

Les Praz is a quiet village located close to the Flégère ski lift and ski area, with an 18-hole golf course and a couple of small shops, bars and restaurants. In winter, this area receives the most sun in the valley.

Beyond Les Praz is the beautiful area of Les Bois, boasting numerous extravagant holiday accommodation options in peaceful settings.

Perched a couple of hundred metres up the south side of the valley, above Les Bois, is the hamlet of Le Lavancher where you will find some more luxury accommodation possibilities in a beautifully serene spot.

Beyond Argentière are the small villages of Le Tour and Vallorcine, both accessing the Domaine de Balme ski area.

Who should stay in Le Tour and Vallorcine?

The skiing on offer in Le Tour and Vallorcine is ideal for beginners. It's gentle and generally sunny here, making it a good choice for families.

Combined with the spectacular views back down the Chamonix Valley, this area is well worth a visit. Just bear in mind that both villages are small, so basing yourself here means that accommodation and dining options are pretty limited.

Further down the valley is the small village of Servoz - the gateway into the Chamonix Valley. This traditional Alpine village, formerly a farmer settlement, has a scattered collection of accommodation options.

Who should stay in Servoz?

With fantastic views back up the valley towards Mont Blanc, Servoz is a pretty and quiet village offering potentially cheaper accommodation options. Just be aware that if you've come specifically to ski in Chamonix, it's a 15-minute drive or you'll need to take the bus or train from Servoz to reach the main slopes of Les Houches or Chamonix.

If you're searching for luxury accommodation in Chamonix, there's plenty to choose from. The resort offers plenty of high-end options, many of which feature private swimming pools, spas, hot tubs and even cinema rooms.

Luxury chalets and apartments

Many luxury chalets in the Chamonix Valley are based out of town, in the beautiful and quiet hamlets of Les Praz and Les Bois. Boasting breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc mountain range and easy access to the slopes in Flégère, many of these chalets have swimming pools, fully equipped spas, private chefs and chauffered rides.

Luxury apartments are everywhere in the valley but the most popular are clustered around the centre of Chamonix, towards the Brévent ski area.

Five star hotels in Chamonix

Chamonix has four five-star hotels. They're all located in the town centre, near the slopes of Brévent and the local restaurants, bars and shops. Not that you'd want to leave their premises!

They all boast stunning spas, gourmet restaurants (even a two Michelin-starred eatery) and cosy but grand bedrooms with plush beds and panoramic mountain views.

High snow-capped peaks, deep luscious forests, pristine white fields and cosy wooden chalets with roaring fires – a ski break can be the most romantic of holidays.

In Chamonix, you’ll be able to make all your fairytale escapade dreams come true.

Chamonix has a range of secluded ski chalets nestled between the trees. Relax together in the hot tub with a bottle of fizz, as the sun sets over the peaks. Does it get any better than that? 

Groups have very specific needs, namely a big enough space and easy access to the lifts and the resort's amenities.

Large apartments and chalets for groups

All around the Chamonix valley, you'll find chalets and apartments accommodating up to 10 people and more. However, if you want to impress your guests or you want your group of friends to make the most of what Chamonix has to offer, staying in the centre is key. It's in Chamonix town where all the action takes place!

When travelling with young children, you ideally want to stay somewhere that has lots of facilities and services nearby. The last thing you want to do is trek miles with little people - especially if they're in ski boots! 

Les Houches is probably the most popular place in Chamonix to stay with little kids. It's a pretty town with easy access to the pistes, ski schools and plenty of things to do off the slopes.

The ski runs here are gentle and wide, ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. There's an ice rink, a cinema and plenty of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a good meal after a day on the slopes.

Chamonix may not be well-known as the cheapest resort in the French Alps but you can still enjoy a budget-ish holiday here if you know where to look.

The cheapest place to stay in Chamonix is usually Cham Sud. There are a lot of studios and one-bed apartments here, often with pull-out sofas and bunks in hallway. So if you're looking to save a bit of money and don't mind sharing, this is the way to go. 

Despite being small, most of these apartments have been tastefully rennovated, so you'll hardly be slumming it. And being in Cham Sud, you're right on the edge of town, with bars and restaurants all around you. 

Ski-in ski-out (or ski-to-door) accommodation is very popular, but not that easy to find in Chamonix, which means it gets booked out quite quickly.

It might be a bit more expensive than other accommodation, but there's no greater feeling than arriving at your doorstep with your skis on. So if you find a place you like and it's available, book it as soon as you can.

Les Houches probably has the highest number of ski-in ski-out chalets in the area, while some apartments and hotels in Chamonix centre are located close to the Savoy beginner's area and the Planpraz gondola that takes skiers up to Brévent.

Chamonix is a popular destination for campers and there are campsites dotted around the valley.

Some are remote and idyllic, whereas others are a mere stone's throw from the shops and bars of the nearest town. Some have only a cold shower and a toilet block while others boast restaurants and leisure facilities.

Where to park a motorhome or campervan in Chamonix

There's an official 'aire de camping-car' near the Grepon car park under the cables for the Aiguille du Midi cable car. If you'd rather 'wild camp', there are plenty of spots around the valley.

France is generally much more tolerant of vans pulling up for the night and you'll see plenty of people doing that in Chamonix, especially along the road to Les Praz and tucked away in Les Bois. 

It's possible to park overnight in some of the regular car parks here. Just be wary of your height. During peak seasons, there's often a 2m limit and barriers to prevent taller vans pulling in.