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Margaret Thatcher’s ski chalet is perfect for a luxury family ski holiday

Chalet Le Namaste in Courchevel 1850 was the former summer residence of Margret Thatcher but now it is available for luxury exclusive weekly rental as a fully catered ski chalet. Chalet Le Namaste certainly has real Kerb “piste” appeal! It’s ski in ski out access directly to the Bellecotte piste, an easy green run is the favoured location for the well-heeled visitors in Courchevel 1850. It’s this location that makes Chalet Le Namaste so perfect for a family vacation, the Bellecotte piste is known for being one of the gentlest ski runs in the area and a perfect place to learn to ski. The Chalet underwent a multimillion-euro refurbishment in 2019 and is one of the finest ski chalets available to rent anywhere in the region. The exterior retained its traditional feel, but step inside, and its light tones with lots of old pine and exquisite soft furnishings give the chalet a perfect alpine feel. Large open fireplaces ensure a cosy night in, while from March onwards the large balconies come into their own, with splendid views across the piste and the mountains beyond and a perfect venue to share an après ski bottle of champagne. Chalet Le Namaste is located in one of the most exclusive address in Courchevel, a gated community. The remodelled chalet now makes for the perfect family ski holiday, sleeping a total of 10 adult guests and 4 children. With a luxurious master suite and three further double rooms and a large children’s room, that incorporates a kids snug area with TV. This room sleeps for up to four children. In addition, there is a further smaller (windowless) double room suitable for a nanny or additional guests. All the bedrooms have private en suite bathrooms. A separate play area for children is important for them to have their own space and to attempt to keep them away from the chalets own private and compact spa area with its indoor pool, Hamman and sauna. If I was renting this ski chalet, I’d insist the spa was a child-free zone! The location of this chalets means the virtually every window in the chalet has a perfect view. Chalet La Namaste is fully catered The cost depends very much on the week of the season you want to stay. Expect to pay upwards of €30,000 for a week’s exclusive rental, which includes the costs of the dedicated chalet team. The role of the chalet team which include a chalet manager, chef, host and chauffeur, is to ensure you enjoy your time at this wonderful alpine home. The house champagne is Perrier-Jouet which flows freely throughout your stay, and which certainly sets the tone for a luxury week ahead. Prior to your arrival the chef will discuss your preferences for the menu, which will be tailored to your exacting needs, be that to observing religious or cultural tastes or just your own personal preferences, including any fussy eaters. Breakfast which is catered to your customised wishes is severed daily. A good healthy diet is important to set you up for a days activity and even if you stop at one of the many great slope-side restaurants in the three valleys for lunch, guess what? By the time you return to the chalet in the late afternoon, you will be hungry again. The chalet team will have baked cakes and biscuits, made soup or hot drinks ready for your return. In the evening, pre-dinner canapés are served in the lounge before a four-course evening meal on 6 nights of your stay served with selected chateau bottled wines included, wines from the owners’ private cellar are available at a supplement. One night a week, the chalet staff have a well deserved night off, a chance for you to try one of the many excellent restaurants in the village. About the skiing around Courchevel 1850 Courchevel 1850, is one of Frances top destinations for skiers, The village is located 1850m above sea level, but the ski range is between 1200mk to the highest point at 3230m, therefore, the snow is guaranteed from early December through to the end of April in the average winter and is the Worlds largest connected ski area, covering 600km of perfectly groomed ski slopes. The ski area is extensive and offers a wide choice of different ability ski runs. A very good network of easy greens and confident building blues runs extend to the nearby other villages which include La Tania and Meribel and a little further away from Europe’s highest ski resort Val Thorens. Getting to Courchevel The chalet change over day is on a Sunday so the Eurostar direct day service isn’t an option from London, but changing trains in Paris means TVG services to Moutier are possible, which is a 30-minute transfer from Courchevel. The nearest airport is Chambery 2 hours by road or the international airport at Geneva is 3 hours by road. Courchevel has a small private airstrip, where both small jets and Helicopters bring is guests from around the world. Angus Kinloch is the Managing Director at Ski Line. Ski Line specialist ski agency that provides luxury ski holidays to Europe’s and North America’s most popular ski resorts. If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Angus Kinloch

Angus Kinloch is the Founder and Managing Director of Ski Line, an awarding winning specialist ski travel agency with 25 years in the ski holiday business. Angus has first-hand experience of the many different types of holiday accommodation available through his ABTA bonded agency, including ski chalets, the best slopeside hotels and apartments and all-inclusive skiing holidays by Club Med. Angus has skied extensively with his family and friends across Europe, North America and more recently in Japan.

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16 Comments

  1. I know it says that the chalet was Margaret Thatcher’s summer residence but I just can’t get winter skiing images of her out of my head. I’ve got a picture of her, without ski gear, slaloming town the slopes in an immaculate Tory Blue suit with the allegedly softening pussy bow blouses and still clutching a despatch box. Meanwhile, Dennis in his business suit and waving a rolled copy of the Daily Telegraph follows in her wake. Of course, Margaret keeps hectoring the snow as it’s European and doesn’t quite do as it’s told.

  2. I’m not sure how much of a slogan “Maggie Thatcher woz ‘ere” makes. I doubt that there’s been a more divisive Marmite character in British politics over the last few decades, people either loved her or hated her. I’ve got a few left-leaning friends who wouldn’t be queueing up to follow in her footsteps. Then again, on the other side of the coin, I know some people who would love to follow in their heroine’s footsteps, they’d be booking in for months.

  3. This is really beautiful and reminds me of a ski-trip I took in Stowe, Vermont years ago with some friends. It’s a great vibe to be staying at a large place with other groups, to enjoy each other’s company for a week. Imagine staying at a place with an entire chalet staff, champagne and nightly four-course meals? It really doesn’t get any better than this…

    1. The chalets in North America are much larger than most European ski chalets, but this ones a good size for a French chalet That small trip of land alongside the Pralong piste is probably Frances most expensive for land costs.

  4. Handing over responsibility to a chef who has the responsibility of dealing with all of my family’s fads and fussy eating is very tempting. I have a vegan daughter who is then allergic to peas as well. Try creating attractive menus from those restrictions for a week.

    1. We once had a wealthy Russian client book a high end ski chalet. When he heard the chef would source and cook anything he wanted. He promptly ask for his favorite Asian snake dish!

      The chalet chef managed not only to get a fresh snake flown in from Hong Kong, he managed to cook it the exacting tastes of his “demanding” client. Who I was told loved it.

      The chefs in these top ski chalets, wont have any problems with fussy food tastes.

  5. I’m struggling with the grand opulent interior of this property. I always thought that Margaret Thatcher was a woman of simple tastes. I know that it has had a grand make-over since her day but it is still way different from what I would have expected from the thrifty daughter of a Lincoln grocer.

  6. Never knew Thatcher has a ski chalet residence. Can’t say I’m surprised as it would make for an ideal getaway from politics and the UK in general. I was talking to my friend about ski destinations the other day because she wants me to go with her to some place in Austria but me, having never skied before in my life, wasn’t so keen on the sound of it being an ‘ideal place for the pros’ (that’s how she described it to me). I’ll have to gently suggest Bellecotte for the gentle runs!

    I’m sure it looked good before the renovations but now.. wow, looks gorgeous. Never would have thought you’d get some much in there in terms of living and sleeping space let alone the luxury spa judging by the size of the exterior. Pretty pricey but you’d expect that for such a place let alone the chalet team waiting on your needs.

    1. If you haven’t skied before, choosing the right ski resort for your level is so important. Some experienced skiers quickly forget how terrifying it was when they stood that the top of their first ski run.

      Austria has some very suitable ski resorts for beginners, and a few that are definitely not.

      In Austria, I’d book one of the hotels, most have excellent spas.

  7. Without trying to sound completely stupid, is this like a one-off chalet, or do the owners of this also own the others around it? I don’t know if it’s part of a chain or something like that of if all of the chalets there are individual ones with different owners and businesses running them. The owners or brand must have done well over the years to be able to invest multiple millions of euros in its revamp but it was worth it. The place looks incredible.

  8. Wow, €30,000 for a week with all the shebang is probably worth it especially if you can lug a few of your family members with you on that amount. Never have to worry about what to eat and being waited on hand and foot. Wonder how this chalet looked like when Margaret Thatcher used to live and own it.

  9. Personally, I’d doubt that I’d use Margaret Thatcher as a marketing tag as she was such a divisive figure. But I like the look of the uber quality and great design, I get where you are coming from.

    1. Maggie is still a divisive chapter. No one though is going to argue against the star quality of this amazing lodge. It’s a real contender for me for the next season.

  10. As ever a week in British politics is a long time. From being a poor Prime Minister who can’t afford his own wallpaper it looks as if things will change for Boris once he moves on from 10, Downing Street.

    Once he’s published his best selling memoirs and been out on the lucrative lecture tour will he be able to afford a luxurious ski chalet. In a dozen years time will you be writing about Boris’ chalet???

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