Apartment

Ski the 5 Grand Massif resorts. Bike, hike & swim in the stunning Giffre Valley

Ski the 5 Grand Massif resorts. Bike, hike & swim in the stunning Giffre Valley

Photo gallery for Ski the 5 Grand Massif resorts. Bike, hike & swim in the stunning Giffre Valley

Exterior
Enjoying the view with a coffee, book & morning sunshine on lawn & back patio
Bakery breakfast on the back patio, outdoor furniture for 6, views of Mt Criou
The dining room with pine table for 6, well equipped dresser, all white crockery
Lounge with cozy wood burner, large coffee table, sofa, armchairs, footrests

Overview of Ski the 5 Grand Massif resorts. Bike, hike & swim in the stunning Giffre Valley

Reviews
9.2 out of 10 Wonderful
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 557 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast availableBreakfast availableBreakfast available
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Morillon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  • Popular LocationMorillon Ski Resort1 min walk
  • Popular LocationSamoens Ski Resort4 min drive
  • Popular LocationGrand Massif Express Gondola6 min drive
  • AirportLyon (LYS-Saint-Exupery)113 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Double bedroom

Sofa bed in lounge

Twin bedroom

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom

Bathtub or shower

WC

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Ski the 5 Grand Massif resorts. Bike, hike & swim in the stunning Giffre Valley

Chez les Amis in a Nutshell….

* 5 minute drive to Grand Massif ski lift accessing 5 resorts - Morillon,
Samoens, Flaine, Les Carroz, Sixt
* 1km (10-15 minute walk) to village bakery, grocery store, butcher, cafes, restaurants, bike hire, organic grocery
* 1km to mountain lake with beach, lake swimming, high ropes adventure courses, restaurant, pump track, pony trekking, paddle board/canoe hire, pump track, mountain biking, mini golf, inflatables, river path
* Superb road biking (Tour de France route)
* World-class mountain biking (with lift system in Summer)
* Under an hour from Geneva Airport & Lake Geneva
* Hiking and biking from the front door
* 40 minute to Lake Annecy with beaches, lake swimming, water sports
* Stunning mountain views from the garden with outdoor dining equipment & BBQ
* Grass lawn for games with badminton set, swings, racquets
* Private covered parking ideal for Winter
* WiFi included
* Storage for skis/bikes
* Cozy wood burning stove, with firewood included
* Well-equipped kitchen with washing machine & dishwasher
* Bedroom 1 (double) with separate WC and sink next door
* Bedroom 2 (twin) with bathroom next door
* Outdoor food markets all year round
* Family friendly with large travel cot, high chair, kids books & DVD's.

A visit to the Giffre Valley and surrounding mountains is a rare treat. Dubbed a "playground in the Alps" or the "Dream Valley" there's something for everyone - from parapenting or tandem parapenting, whitewater rafting or fishing in the river, sunbathing by the swimming pool in Samoens or dipping in the lake at Lac Bleu, golfing on one of the many 18-hole courses in the area to meandering through the local markets, botanical gardens or local heritage sites. The Mountain biking in Summer is world-class and extensive for all abilities with access to a system of ski lifts adapted to take mountain bikes. Of course there's skiing in Winter and you have access to 5 resorts, but also snow mobiling, heliskiing, ice climbing, snow shoeing, yooner and ice skating. Stay at Chez les Amis and you will be spoilt for choice of activities in Winter or Summer.

Chez les Amis is a home away from home and guests often say that it is well equipped, particularly the kitchen. It has two bedrooms with a private entrance, a garden with grass lawn (50 sq meters), a back and front terrace and separate private covered parking. It is a spacious (57 sq meters) yet cozy, open-plan apartment on the ground floor of a traditional Savoie farmhouse renovated in the 1990’s. It has been furnished to a high specification with local wood furniture including an artisan dresser and pine dining table. The apartment is uncluttered and well-equipped and is suitable for families, couples or groups of friends.

Chez les Amis is well positioned for stunning views of Mount Criou (which you can hike - rated difficult) and the Dents Blanches mountain ranges, which can be enjoyed from the garden. You can hike/bike for miles from our doorstep, or have a BBQ on the back or front patios and relax on the sloping lawn taking in the view with a glass of local wine.

When they are not down at Lac Bleu or at the swimming pools in Samoens, our kids spend their time playing games on the lawn, catching butterflies in the next door meadow or walking just up the hill to the stream to build a damn. Activities in Spring/Summer are endless. Mountain biking is fantastic in Spring/Summer and the lifts open to allow access to some amazing bike runs. One of our favourites with kids is the Woodpecker in Les Carroz. One of the local road cycling routes, the Col de Joux Plane hosted the Tour de France recently and is a spectacular ride up or down with stunning views.

In Winter, skiing in the Grand Massif (Europe's third largest skiing domain with 265km ski runs) is superb and only a few mins drive to the nearest ski lift with a large free car park opposite, ski hire shops and apres-ski bars and restaurants.

Chez les Amis ideally sleeps 4 people (but can accommodate 5 using the double sofabed in the living area or the large travel cot for age 3 and under). We have a double room, twin room and a double sofa bed. Beds are made up prior to your arrival - bed and kitchen linens, bath towels and hand towels are provided. An allocation of firewood is provided for the cozy wood burning stove. A travel cot, high chair & buggy are available on request (at no extra cost - subject to availability).

There is a marvelous wood burning stove in the lounge with a large sofa, armchairs, foot rests, a generous oak coffee table and side tables. There's a stereo with an iPod/iPhone/iPad connection cable, a library of books, CD's and DVD's. Most books are in English but we are growing our library of French books for kids. WiFi is provided free of charge for the convenience of our guests.

The kitchen is fully fitted with a fridge, sink, oven, hob, dishwasher and new washing machine. There is an air dryer for drying clothes or wet ski gear. The kitchen is well stocked with cooking and baking equipment. The kitchen / dining areas are separated by a long breakfast bar with 2 high stools. The dining area seats 6 and has an Artesian pine dresser fully stocked with white plates, glasses, champagne flutes, serving dishes, salad bowls, pasta bowls and cereal bowls - everything needed for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The newly tiled bathroom comprises a bath with glass screened shower over the bath and a sink with lighted mirror and large heated towel rail. There is a separate newly furnished WC which also has a sink with storage and a mirror, so each bedroom has access to a sink outside each bedroom for brushing teeth and washing faces.

The 'cave' (outside storage) contains outdoor furniture - a new wooden table with six chairs - and a BBQ. There is a further table and two chairs for the front terrace. The cave can also store kids bikes (with additional space for bike storage in the covered parking next to your vehicle).

Inside the apartment you’ll find some games and sports equipment for you to use including a badminton set with net, racquets and tennis racquets.

Accommodation fee for stays longer than 4 days includes the following:
1. Reasonable use of utilities
2. Reasonable use of firewood
3. Bed linens with beds made up prior to guest's arrival
4. Bath towel and hand towel for each guest
5. Bathroom linens including bath mat, hand towels in the bathroom and in the WC
6. Kitchen linens including T-towels, oven gloves and new j-cloth & sponge.

For stays of 4 nights or less, linens and towels as described above will be charged at £15 per person

Covid-19 additional measures:
Cleaning fee of £95 is charged for all bookings to include:
1. All bed linens and towels laundered at high temperatures and pressed in a commercial pressing facility
2. A full clean
3. Disinfecting using government standard disinfectant on all surfaces, handles and light switches
4. Disinfecting spray used on sofas, soft furnishings, pillows and duvets.

Additional services can be quoted for or details provided to the guest to arrange:
1. Mid-stay clean/refresh of towels/turnaround of bed linen
2. Meal delivery service (helpful for first and last nights of your stay)
3. Delivery of ski hire equipment to the apartment
4. Babysitting (daytime or evening)
5. 15% discount on ski hire (Winter)
6. 10% discount on adventure ropes courses (Summer/Spring)

The Property Damage Protection is up to £300 which will ONLY be charged IF the property or contents is damaged.

Stays of 14 days or more and one month or more are subject to discount (please ask).

2-person discount is available at non-peak times (please ask).

Additional nights are charged at £85 per night for the whole apartment.

Additional guests over 4 guests are charged at £75 per person (up to a maximum of 5 persons).

The Valley is a hidden gem and offers a vast array of activities for couples, families and friends and is equally delightful in Winter and Summer. And all under an hour from Geneva airport or around 8-hours drive from the Eurotunnel (Calais).

Property manager

Rachel Ivers

Languages

English, French

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Breakfast available
Barbecue grill

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Children to be supervised. Travel cot/high chair.

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please do NOT smoke anywhere in the apartment.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 6
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Morillon

Located in Morillon, this apartment is in a rural area and on a lake. Samoens Ski Resort and Church of Saint-Jacques are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Jaysinia Alpine Botanical Gardens and Espace Aquatique. Traveling with kids? Consider Mountain Nature Center and Aquariaz Water Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.
Map
Morillon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

What's nearby

  • Morillon Ski Resort - 1 min walk
  • Morillon Ski Lift - 16 min walk
  • Samoens Ski Resort - 4 min drive
  • Grand Massif Express Gondola - 6 min drive
  • Les Esserts Ski Lift - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • Marignier Station - 19 min drive
  • Geneva International Airport (GVA) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • La Canette Burger - 7 min drive
  • Pizzeria du Giffre - 6 min drive
  • Demoiselle des Saix - 16 min drive
  • À la Jâysinia - 7 min drive
  • La Table de Fifine - 6 min drive

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 52 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 26 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews" "

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Aleid v.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely apartment
This cosy apartment is located in a quiet neighborhood in beautiful surroundings. It has a stunning view and a nice little garden. The apartment is very comfortable and has everything you need. Rachel is a lovely hostess, she kept in touch to make sure we had everything we needed to have a great time. Thanks for everything Rachel, we really enjoyed staying in Morillon!

10/10 Excellent

Valérie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Séjour très agréable
Environnement magnifique, au calme. Logement très agréable, très cocooning. Très bien équipé pour les séjours niveau electro-ménager ( lave linges, lave vaisselles …)
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Jérôme M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Congés
Dommage qu'il y avait des travaux que les voisins du dessus faisaient pendant notre semaine de congé.

10/10 Excellent

Amélie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super petit appartement
Très joli appartment, cosy, avec un poele très apprécié ! Proche de sixt et des pistes de ski de fond, plein de randonnée dans les environs
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

henriot o.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gîte idéalement situé dans la vallée du Giffre
Le gîte est très bien équipé, rien ne manque. La vue sur le Criou est magnifique depuis la terrasse dont l'exposition est idéale en été : ensoleillée le matin pour y prendre le petit-déjeuner et à l'ombre le reste de la journée pour ne pas souffrir de la chaleur. Il mérite qu'on y revienne.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

About the host

Hosted by Rachel Ivers

Host profile image
Chez Amis is owned by 3 friends with a shared vision of creating a home away from home for friends and families to share quality time without the distractions of everyday life.
Cannon is a Landscape Architect who enjoys photography, telemark skiing and playing guitar. Rachel is a Business Psychologist who loves the outdoors and Annie is a Dental Hygienist and netball player living in England. Cannon & Rachel are married with two young children and live in England.

Why they chose this property

The biggest draw for us of the apartment is its location on the mountainside in a quiet spot with stunningly beautiful views of the mountains from the garden.

We love the area as it is 'authentically French', as well as stunningly beautiful. Although it has the third largest ski network in France (Grand Massif), ski passes are not as expensive as many of the other large resorts. The area is excellent in Summer too with an exhausting array of activities available.

Being less than an hour from Geneva airport, the transfer is short and its ideally situated for long weekends too.

What makes this property unique

This is our home from home and a wonderful escape from busy everyday life. The beautiful and peaceful surroundings are incredible. You can easily forget you are only 5 minutes drive from the local amenities. The view from the garden is simply stunning and we can sit for hours taking in the beauty that surrounds us (even longer if we've got the BBQ going in Spring/Summer).

Chez Amis was lovingly restored by an Englishman who kept the Savoyade style of thick farmhouse walls and pretty shutters that help promote a good nights sleep. He used good quality materials and fittings for his restoration, including a cozy wood burning fire. We have kept that style and feel with our furnishings. Put simply : We love it!

Languages:

English, French
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