What a wonderful weekend we spent in the cosy luxury of the Armancette Hotel.
Located in the hamlet of Saint-Nicolas de Véroce in the French alps and not far from Geneva, the Armancette Hotel is a haven of peace and tranquility.
We arrived on Friday evening to a village covered with snow and a warm welcome after which we were shown to our rooms. We were given a family room which had bunk beds for the children in one room, and a lovely double room for Jean and I connected by a short corridor. I can safely say that this was one of the nicest rooms we have visited since we started the blog with chic but cosy decor, nice lighting and everything we would need for a comfortable stay.
We were impatient to visit the spa so we unpacked and headed downstairs. It’s really well equipped with indoor/outdoor pool, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, hammam and sauna. We made a bee-line for the outdoor jacuzzi which was magical in the snow with lights everywhere. The children were keen to show us their swimming so they hopped into the pool or a few laps before we went to get tidied up for dinner.
The Armancette has two lovely restaurants and for the first night, we were eating at La Table d’Armante which is their gastronomic restaurant showcasing local products. The children were enthusiastic and tried a bit of everything while working on the colouring books they were given. The atmosphere in the restaurant is elegant and cocooning and the service was excellent. We enjoyed a delicious meal which was well prepared and stylishly presented.
Back in our rooms and we were soon tucked up in our comfortable beds where we all enjoyed a good nights sleep.
We were up and about early and ready for breakfast which was wonderful. The hotel has its own boulangerie which meant fresh bread, pastries and cake for guests to start the day with a cup of excellent coffee. Jean could have eaten the entire praline cake and Jude and Alba loved their fluffy pancakes. You can also choose from a selection of hot dishes including eggs.
Our plan for the morning was to go for a walk and enjoy the snow. There is an easy walking path from the hotel which took us along a river and though the forest which was a good way for us to stretch our legs. We noticed a sports rental shop not far from the hotel so we decided to hire some sledges. There is a perfect field for sledging just next door so the children enjoyed a few runs before lunch.
The boulangerie also has a tea room so we stopped for a hot drink and decided to order some delicious sandwiches, soup and quiche to eat in our room.
After lunch Jean took Jude and Alba back to the pool for a bit more swimming practice and some hot tubbing, before a trip to the bar lounge where they have board games available for guests to play.
On Saturday evening we were eating at the second restaurant which is just across the road from the hotel and is called Le Mont Joly. It’s a stylish bistro with a wine bar above and the perfect spot for a dinner with family or friends. Jean, Jude and I decided to try their fondue while Alba chose a pizza from the children’s menu. The food was really good with plenty of local charcuteries and a nice wine list.
We had another good nights sleep and were up early again for breakfast before our departure. We were really sad to leave after such a relaxing visit but it was such a beautiful discovery.
There is so much to do in the area with skiing and snow shoeing, horse carriage rides, sledging, walking and plenty of other towns to visit nearby. It combines the facilities of a large ski area with the peace and tranquility of a small alpine village which we loved. The staff were all excellent, the facilities outstanding and the experience left us with a real sense of feeling rested and restored at the end of this busy year.
Information
Armancette - The Leading Hotels Of The World
4088 Rte de Saint-Nicolas
74170 Saint-Gervais-les-Bains
France