Chalet Charr, St Luc, Switzerland

Luxury chalet Charr was completed in early 2010. The chalet was designed in a partnership between the UK architect and owner, and a local Swiss architect - the chalet is built and finished to the highest possible standards. This luxury property is constructed over three floors with the main entrance, via a raised bridge, at the upper level. The central oak and granite staircase, around which the interior is designed, provides a clear visual link between the levels and leads invitingly to the floors below. The open plan living room, dining and study are at the upper level, bedrooms at the central level and leisure below.

Due to the design of the chalet, which is constructed over three floors on a steeply sloping site, with extensive areas of full height glass and external balconies, it is not ideally suited to young children. The chalet can accommodate up to two babies - travel cots and high chairs are available - and children over the age of ten, who will be charged for as adults.

Most of the furniture, rugs, fabrics and art are unique to the chalet and form a part of a much loved family home. The clients will enjoy the setting, the architecture and the contents, and care for things as if they were their own. Where furnishings have been purchased, care has been taken to incorporate the best available. Dining chairs are by Knoll of Italy, cutlery from David Mellor in Derbyshire and tweeds from the House of Bruar.

The owners will personally look after every aspect of your stay, from arrival to departure including cooking, hosting, chauffeuring and managing all domestic work at the chalet, as well as helping with local contacts to ensure that ski passes, lessons, hire equipment and any special requirements are met. Chris and Clare are passionate about their chalet and the service that they provide, have years of experience of hosting large private house parties and pride themselves on their ability to provide great food and wine in a fabulous setting. Menus will be discussed with the party leader prior to their arrival.

The chalet has its own 4x4 Land Rover Discovery and private chauffeuring by the chalet hosts will be available within the resort of St Luc and Chandolin. The staff will endeavour to meet all personal requirements in respect of pick-up and drop-off throughout your holiday. The chalet vehicle may not be driven by anyone other than the chalet staff and all guests travelling in the vehicle do so at their own risk. The Land Rover will not take eight people at a time and for maximum flexibility during your stay, the chalet company recommends that you hire a private car at the airport.

A free ski bus service operates within the village and to all other resorts within the Val d'Anniviers area. The Navette bus operates continually around the village. Please note that although the bus timetable to other villages is reliable it is also infrequent.

Chalet Charr is constructed in a forest clearing on a steeply sloping mountainside site. Access is unfortunately not suitable for disabled, or those with mobility problems. There is a 'no pets' and 'no smoking' policy at the chalet.

St Luc is just one of the five resorts which make up the beautiful area known as the Val d'Anniviers and it remains an undiscovered gem. The resort is easily reached from Geneva in 2 hours (by car) or 2.5 hours by train. The whole area has 220km, so there is plenty to ski and board. The skiing in this area will suit either families with young children, beginner and low intermediate adults and also those who like their off-piste untracked all week! The village is charming, picture-perfect and largely made up of traditional mazots, century old chalets and a few small hotels. Valaisan food is world renowned and it is a delight to sample the raclette and fondues with plenty of choice among the local restaurants but the night life is pretty quiet. The village is also blessed with a variety of shops from traditional patisserie to supermarkets.