Megève was not born from skiing: it is an old Savoyard village that the Rothschild family turned, in the 1920s, into a chic alternative to St. Moritz. What remains is a pedestrian medieval core, horse-drawn carriages in winter, smart shops and well-known restaurants, all facing the Mont Blanc. People come as much for the atmosphere as for the slopes, in summer as in winter. Where to stay depends on what you are after: the village to do everything on foot, the heights for skiing and golf, the outskirts for quiet and lower prices. Here is how to choose, plus a selection of hotels to book.
Choosing your area
The village heart is the most sought-after: pedestrian streets, the church square, shops, restaurants and the atmosphere that made Megève’s name. It is ideal for a first stay, car-free, soaking up local life. In return, it is the priciest area and the busiest in high season.
The heights put skiing and golf closest. Mont d’Arbois, to the east, is the smartest district, steps from the cable car, the golf course and the big tables. Rochebrune, linked to the village by a historic cable car, gives direct access to its ski sector. For more quiet and gentler rates, the outskirts and the Demi-Quartier, towards Combloux or Praz-sur-Arly, work well if you have a car.
For a stay that combines Megève and the rest of the Mont-Blanc area, Saint-Gervais, Combloux and Chamonix are within reach and offer a different feel: see their destination pages.
When to book
Megève lives all year, with two peaks. Winter (Christmas holidays, February) fills the village for skiing on the Évasion Mont-Blanc area, shared with Saint-Gervais and Combloux: book early, especially around the holidays. Summer (July-August) is much in demand for hiking, golf and village life. The best times for quiet and prices are the shoulder seasons: June and September, with superb mountains and fewer people. In November and early December many places close between seasons: check opening dates.
Getting around
As Megève’s heart is pedestrian and compact, you easily do without a car once there. Free shuttles serve the village, the lift departures and the hamlets. Note that Megève has no station; the nearest is Sallanches (about twenty minutes by bus or taxi), linked to Geneva and the wider network. From Geneva airport, mountain shuttles reach Megève directly in season. A car is still handy for ranging out to the neighbouring villages, but is not essential in the village itself.
What kind of accommodation
Megève has a long upscale hotel tradition, from palaces and spa hotels to characterful chalet-hotels and simpler family houses. Wellness looms large: many addresses have a spa, perfect after a day’s skiing or walking. Chalets and apartments round out the offer for families and ski stays. A few tables are destinations in themselves, Michelin-starred dining included.
Our hotel selection
For the icon and the charm, the Sibuet family houses, Les Fermes de Marie, the Lodge Park in the heart of the village or Au Coin du Feu and their spas. For fine dining, Flocons de Sel (Relais & Châteaux, starred table) and Le Chalet Zannier. For grand luxury on the heights, the Four Seasons and L’Alpaga at Mont d’Arbois. Well-placed safe bets such as the Grand Hôtel Soleil d’Or, La Grange d’Arly or the M de Megève. And for good value, the Hôtel Les Cimes, the Novotel for families, or Mamie Megève. Availability and up-to-date prices appear below.
Planning the rest of your trip
Once the accommodation is set, the rest follows: see the Megève hub for activities, skiing and the mountains in summer. To arrive stress-free, the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc page and the Geneva to Chamonix guide give the good access options to the valley. And to taste the mountains, the where to eat in Haute-Savoie page and the Savoyard fondue page point you the right way.
Recommended hotels
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