Le Spa, Chalet Mounier, Le Deux Alpes, France

A welcoming unpretentious hotel spa for the perfect post ski treat

USP
75km away from Grenoble, this beautiful alpine chalet became the first hotel of the ski resort in 1933. Hosting an outside sauna amongst its array of relaxation goodies, with snow falling outside its a warm, calm and secluded area away from energetic ski world outside.

AMBIENCE
There isn't a lot of lounging space around the pool, only fixed wall benches to sit on but nonetheless, there is a hot tub that looks out on the pool, a hydro jet shower, a hammam and the aforementioned outside sauna and a gym. The decor is natural, with slate tiled flooring and wooden alpine ceilings giving the place a warm feel even though its freezing outside. The gym is small, with the inclusion of a powerplate which is not free to use (25 mins session €49) and the changing area very limited, only one corner cubicle. The products used are Cinq Mondes, combining a selection of natural cosmetic products tested under dermalogical control, without silicon or mineral oil, without artificial colorant and without any animal based products.

EXPERIENCE
I was shown straight to the pool area by Spa Manager Mr. Salvatore Farina on arrival. I was suprised to see I was the only one using the complex (free for residence) given the snow was falling so heavily outside it was an opportune moment to take some time away from the piste. I swam a few lengths of the pool to warm up my muscles and then made use of the sauna, hammam and hot tub before my sports massage (60 mins for €79 or £69). A massage incorporationg a range of techniques including, stretching to rid of muscle fatigue, perfect after a day of skiing. I robed up ready for my massage and was led upstairs, through the restaurant (luckily no one dining) and down a different flight of stairs to the spa area, where I was taken into the smallest of the three treatment rooms, for my massage. The massage was not too hard-going on my aching ski muscles, especially my calves and shins, but heavy enough to feel the tension loosening. From head to toe, I was throughly pummelled and as requested a lot of time was spend on my back, shoulders and neck.

IN CROWD
I returned to the pool area post treatment to make more use of the complimentary facilities and there were six others enjoying the complex too - all of them hotel residents having come back from their day in the mountains, I was quietly envious that my chalet didn't have such lovely amenities to make use of. The chalet is not far from the ski centre, so every reason for non-residents to enjoy a pamper too.

FOOD
The hotel restaurant serves a wide menu of dishes including mountain lake trout and pigeon. The hotel is a short walk away from the centre of town, where a range of great restaurants, creperies and bars can be found.

WALLET WATCH
A one-hour recuperation or sports massage cost €79. A four-hand massage costs €170 for 60 minutes. You can enjoy spa experiences from 2 days up to 5 days, ranging from €210 to €495. And personal coaching sessions starting from €40 for 30 minutes. All treatments are open to non-residents and include complimentary use of the pool, hot tub, hammam, sauna and gym.

NEED TO KNOW
Le Spa Chalet Mounier Hotel Spa and Restaurant, 2 rue de la chapelle, 38860 Les Deux Alpes (www.chalet-mounier.com Tel: +33(0)4 76 80 56 90)