My wife and I arrived at the Mont Blanc Hotel Village after a beautiful drive through the Swiss, French and Italian Alps.
If you're driving from Geneva airport in the summer time (or even winter) allow yourself some time to enjoy the ride. There are many beautiful places to stop along the way, like Chamonix. One word of advice, though, check the traffic updates for the Mont Blanc tunnel as it gets backed-up during peak periods.
After checking into the hotel our first order of business was to get some fresh air and stretch our legs with a hike through the nearby mountains. If you're into sports (hiking, cycling, mountain biking, skiing, etc.) welcome to paradise.
By early afternoon the July sun was heating up the countryside, so we were ready to head back to the hotel for a dip in the pool, followed by a mix of reading and dozing in the sun beds dotted throughout the hotel's manicured lawn. As mentioned earlier, the hotel has such a calm and private atmosphere you can really relax and take it easy. Lounging by the pool in almost near solitude I couldn't help thinking about one of my earlier vacations at a chain hotel, with screaming kids running around the pool, guests yapping on their cell phones, etc. None of that here, just the sounds of birds chirping and gentle alpine winds.
Before we knew it, it was time to get ready for dinner. While my wife was getting ready I continued enjoying my book in the lounge with an aperitif and some special treats prepared by the chef. Dinner was a truly enjoyable experience. The dining room has an expansive view overlooking the Aosta valley and Mont Blanc. It was 'magical' to enjoy our expertly prepared (and locally sourced) meal as we watched the sky and glacier-topped mountains change colors, until they eventually gave way to a starry night.
We started our second day with an amazing breakfast of fresh baked breads (in-house); omelets; local yogurts, meats and cheeses; and the kind of coffee you can only find in Italy. My wife and I were able to keep the 'weekend is over blues' at bay with a schedule that consisted of a relaxing massage, hamam, sauna, and losing track of time in the grotto. Of course we realized that 'all good things must come to an end' - but not without stopping for a pizza, gelato and some shopping in the nearby village of Courmayeur on the drive home (just 10km from the hotel)!
This hotel is an enviable position overlooking the valley and Mont Blanc and with the window boxes full of red geraniums gave it a colourful Alpine feel. The food and service in the dining and breakfast room were excellent and added to a very enjoyable stay. The underground grotto in the Spa was amazing and is highly recommended!