Hôtel Le Coucou

Character and identity

Perched on the slopes above Méribel with rare ski-in, ski-out access to the Three Valleys, this 55-room hotel is the alpine debut of Pierre Yovanovitch, whose hand shapes every surface: bespoke furniture, polka-dot carpets, matte walls in rich greens and deep reds, vintage alpine jugs sourced from Paris flea markets, and a Matthieu Cossé fresco of owls arching across the circular reception. Cuckoo motifs run throughout, from beak-carved chair backs to owl coat hooks. Two restaurants (Beef Bar and the Italian Bianca Neve), a cocktail bar, a spa with pools, and two integrated chalets round out the offer. Service is warm and team-minded.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The case for booking rests squarely on the ski-in, ski-out position, which almost no other hotel in Méribel can match, wrapped in interiors that actually have a point of view. Spend the money if you ski hard and care about design; first-track fans should ask for a slope-side room, and the two chalets (Eleonore and Eglantine) suit groups of up to eight wanting privacy and a kitchen.