Chalet Auriane, Verbier (Tzoumaz), Switzerland

Chalet Auriane in La Tzoumaz offers an unforgettable experience, combining the luxury of an exclusive boutique hotel with the traditional feel of an alpine ski lodge. Regarded by House and Garden (December 2010) as 'one of the top 5 luxury family orientated chalets' and designed by a team of architects & interior designers utilising stone, wood and steel to create a harmonious light-filled chalet. It was recently refurbished by renowned interior decorator Hugh Berry, whose CV includes Fortnum and Mason, London.

With the best views in La Tzoumaz, the chalet is spread over two floors and perched on the side of the mountain. Access is directly from the piste by a small private funicular lift which will also deliver you from the road to the front door. For those who prefer not to take advantage of the easy ski-in ski-out location, the chalet is positioned just 100m from the main ski lift, so accessing either the main ski lifts or the resort centre is very easy. There is also a superb leisure spa room with sauna and hammam, adjacent to the large outdoor Jacuzzi offering private views over the entire valley and the resort of La Tzoumaz.

The sleeping accommodation is downstairs while upstairs is a stunning 100 square metre open plan living/dining room and kitchen with floor to ceiling picture windows guaranteeing breath taking views. The rear wall constructed from local stones engenders a feeling of calm aided by the enormous comfortable sofas.

The chalet is run by the chef an Italian who worked with Jason Atherton, who brings Italian flair to great culinary skills. His partner Alessandra is a lovely warm personality and together they will ensure guests have a wonderful and warm welcoming week.

Prior to your arrival, the chalet manager will contact you to enquire about your dietary wishes, preferences and the timing of meals for any children in your party. The in-resort service starts with a member of staff accompanying you to the local ski hire shop to help you through this sometimes trying experience. Your skis and boots will be transported back to the chalet so there is no need to carry anything.

Verbier is the master bedroom suite. Central to this is the unique super king bed. Hand crafted from locally sourced Arolle mountain larch trunks (specific to the region) the size of which required the bed to be delivered by helicopter, it is wonderfully positioned to make the most of the 42 inch flat screen TV and the mountain panorama through the floor to ceiling windows. The mountain vista is also seen from the large walk-in en-suite shower and double ended bath and a wide balcony allows complete seclusion.

Zermatt, Klosters and Gstaad are three individually furnished Austrian twin bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and wc having both bath and shower and heated towel rails. All rooms have masses of built in wardrobes space for bulky ski gear and a balcony. Powerful hairdryers are also provided in each room, as well as a safe. Every room has its own large wall mounted TV. The St Moritz bedroom contains 2 full-sized bunk beds ideal for children or adults who wish to share in addition to an en-suite shower room and wc.