Chalet Braye, Meribel & Mottaret, France

Chalet Braye is the perfect spot for those who want a hassle-free holiday. Located in Meribel Village only 70m from the high speed Golf chairlift and Lapin piste, Chalet Braye combines convenience for skiing with a fantastic view across the Roc de Fer – added to this, guests were able to ski back to the chalet terrace all of last winter. Chalet Braye is also just a 2 minute walk from little hub of the Village with its great bar, famous bakery and convenient supermarket.

The chalet is made up of 4 cosy double/twin rooms, 2 upstairs and 2 downstairs, all with en suite shower/bath and sink. There is one WC upstairs to share between 2 bedrooms and likewise downstairs making it ideal for 2 families. There is a small mezzanine upstairs overlooking the open plan living area and kitchen. Traditionally alpine in style with open fire and Goldilocks bedrooms, Chalet Braye has a cosy and homely feel. The open plan living and dining area, although small, has high ceilings and large French doors that open up onto a south-facing terrace kitted out with deckchairs where you can watch the sun set. In the basement of the chalet you will find a dartboard, plenty of storage, boot-warmers, washing and drying facilities. Chalet Braye has all the mod-cons: wireless internet available from your laptop, Sky TV, iPod docking stations and a Hot Tub.

• Cot space in 2 rooms and childcare facilities available
• For children < 12 in their own rooms they offer a 10% discount off the quoted price per person. For infants in cots in their parents’ room there is a surcharge of £100.

They welcome children and have all the necessary bits and bobs that come with them including cots, highchairs, toys, sledges, sterilisers and lots more.

Let us know in advance and they can buy any additional necessities for you so you don’t need to lug everything with you – nappies, wipes etc.

They also offer a high-tea where your chef will provide a variety of balanced meals and puds for your little ones and will of course cook up any of their favourites! Your chef will give you a call before you arrive to discuss this in detail.

They can source babysitting and other childcare services with certified nanny companies.

They provide a shuttle service in an 8-seater minibus in Meribel Village to ensure children make early morning ski school with as little hassle as possible. They also pack them off with tissues, SPF lip balm and a small chocolate bar to help them through the day!

Making sure the children have as much fun as the adults is just as important! They take great care in ensuring this by going the extra mile, from decorating Christmas trees to Easter egg hunts and bum-boarding.

• Modern amenities: DVD player and library, CD player / radio, iPod docking station, sky TV, board games
• Wi-Fi with your own laptop
• Log fire
• South facing terrace with deckchairs
• Basement – boot warmer, dartboard, washing machine, tumble dryer
• Snowshoes and sledges at your disposal
• Hot tub
• KitSound Bluetooth speakers

Sleeps 8 in 4 double/twin rooms

Ensuite shower/bath facilities

• A full breakfast spread with daily specials
• Afternoon tea
• Homemade children’s tea
• 5 course evening meal – canapés, starter, main, pudding and cheese

Winners of The Times Chalet Chef 2010, the team has a wealth of experience and some might say a rather unhealthy passion for food!

A good skiing holiday isn’t complete without good food, which is why they strive to provide some of the best dining experiences the Alps has to offer by carefully hand-picking restaurant chefs and allowing them free rein when it comes to menus allowing them to show their natural talent.

At the same time they are extremely flexible in adapting to your needs. Your chef will call you in advance to go through finer details of likes, dislikes, special requests, allergies and children’s food.

As much as some might love fine-dining every night, they are also aware that eating 4 courses every night (especially after a big lunch!) might not be everybody’s cup of tea. They will happily provide lighter, more simple, 2 or 3 course meals for you. Don’t worry, they won’t be offended just ask.

In addition to the extensive House Wine List, they now also have a cocktail, spirit and digestif selection for you to choose from.

All the wines to be ‘House’ wines which flow freely throughout your stay included in the price of your holiday.

They do not believe in charging a supplement for any of these, as far as they are concerned they are all of the same merit and want you to drink these at your leisure not think about how much they cost. Great food goes hand-in-hand with great wine and therefore do not compromise on the quality and range of the wine list. They offer a variety of wines to suit all pallets and to balance perfectly with the diverse chefs’ menus.

Enjoy working your way through the list over the course of the week, and if there is one you particularly enjoy they are happy for you to make it your tipple of choice all week long! Santé!

Your Catered Holiday:

• Bespoke pre-holiday care including assistance with booking of transfers, lessons, ski hire, passes and massage Seven nights’ accommodation
• Dedicated service from the team (trained chef, host and resort manager) *for 6 bed chalets there is one member of staff who works as a chef/host
• 6 days fully catered service (full English breakfast spread with breakfast special, afternoon tea, canapés, 3 course evening supper, cheese)
• Champagne on arrival
• Unlimited complimentary hand-picked wine (choice of 5 white, 5 red and rosé), sparkling wine, beers and soft drinks Home-cooked High Tea for children (6pm, 6 days)
• Private mini bus service to and from the slopes (08:00 – 11:00 and 16:30 – 19:30) *Meribel only
Linen and bath towels
• Extras: towelling dressing gowns, ‘smellies’, goodies on your bed, daily UK newspapers, tissues and chocolate bars to take on the slopes 10% discount on ski hire with Slide Candy. Meribel only.

What’s Not Included

• Travel to and from Meribel or Val d’Isère
• Insurance
• Ski pass
• Ski hire
• Ski lessons
• Lunch (this is available from your chef as a packed lunch picnic for €6.50 per person per day for a sandwich, fruit, chocolate or health bar and a drink (with the exception of the chalet staff’s day off).
• A la Carte wine and house spirits
• Self-catered upgrades

They can help organise every aspect of your trip in advance and during your stay – ski school, transfers, ski hire, ski passes, your food preferences and anything else you can think of. The personal concierge service is something they pride themselves on and customers value as an integral part of the experience.

When you arrive in resort you will be greeted and looked after by your chalet Chef, Host and Resort Manager. You will be helped with your luggage; the kettle will be on with cake at the ready or bubbles chilling and canapés awaiting depending on what time you arrive; your ski passes will be ready and waiting so you can get up that mountain as quickly as possible; your ski hire will either come to you at the chalet or we can take you to collect your skis; and the team will make sure you have everything you need.

If you arrive in the afternoon and want to ski then they will make sure you have everything in place to get you on the snow. Alternatively you can just sit back, relax and acquaint yourself with the chalet and the resort. As evening draws in your 4 course supper will be well underway, the fire will be roaring, the wine will be flowing and your holiday begins!

They will make sure you settle into ski school by taking you to the meeting point and introducing you to your instructors on the first day. Please note that in Meribel the meeting point is further away, so they provide a minibus service which runs until 11am every day.

The team will be on-hand throughout your stay to ensure you want for nothing. Your holiday will be about great skiing, delicious food and proper relaxation – leave everything else to them!

After a long day on the mountain there is nothing better than relaxing massage to ease away those aches and pains. They will happily book massages in advance or when you are with them in resort. At the Olympic centre in central Meribel there is a new Spa and Fitness Centre. The Spa is conducive to relaxing and features saunas, Jacuzzis, hammams and a large-south facing relaxation room with views of Mont Vallon. Entrance to the Spa is 25 Euros.

Floor plans are for illustration purposes only and usually not to scale.