"One of La Clusaz’s newest boutique hotels, the St-Alban Hotel & Spa has the feel of a plush English gentleman’s club: guests are welcomed into the wood-panelled lobby with its leather banquettes, velvet footstools, chess boards and shelves stacked with books. There are more books in the Art Deco bar and bedrooms – in fact, there are some 21,000 books scattered throughout the hotel (ideal for guests keen to practice their French on non-ski days). Down in the basement, the good-sized spa was created in collaboration with French beauty brand Nuxe. Guests can divide their time between the indoor pool, sauna, Kneipp hydrotherapy jets, ice cave and relaxation room. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the slopes each morning. " - Nicola Iseard