The Construction of the Chalets
It all starts with Alpina
From the family chalet to the hamlet project
It all began with Alpina, the chalet our father built in 1990. It’s the family home, where we grew up, amid big Christmas gatherings, a lit Christmas tree, and a crackling fire in the fireplace. Rented out during the winter since the 2000s, it had already welcomed vacationers, but we wanted to take it further: renovate it, expand it, and envision a veritable hamlet of chalets around it.
In 2022, we took over Alpina after its renovation, while also beginning construction on three new adjoining chalets. Savoya Lodges wasn’t conceived as a traditional tourist resort. It’s a family project, shaped bit by bit with a lot of energy, a few sleepless nights, wood, natural materials, and a constant desire to create places where people feel at home.
Four chalets, four stories
A Name and a Soul for every place
The name itself conveys our intention. We didn’t want anything conventional, like “The Chalets of…” “Lodges” evoked a more refined, experiential setting; “Savoya” means Savoie and blends local identity, the mountains, and a less traditional touch. Each chalet then has its own story.
Alpina, the largest and as majestic as the Alps, remains the historic heart of the hamlet.
Explora, the most natural of the collection, combines clay, travertine, and driftwood in the spirit of adventure and exploration.
Rustika embraces pure authenticity: slate from the valley, stone even in the shower, and a small wooden lean-to in the living room.
Utopia, perched high above, nestled against the forest, offers a cozy retreat beneath the roof, with a skylight overlooking the starry sky and a panoramic triangular window.
Four atmospheres, one spirit.
The Rebirth of Alpina
A complete renovation, in respect for the building’s history
The renovation of Alpina in the summer of 2022 was a complete overhaul.
We redesigned all the bedrooms and bathrooms, updated the decor, created custom light fixtures, and revamped the lighting. The fireplace, built from century-old beams, was sanded down and restored to its former glory. The kitchen was completely remodeled, featuring new storage, a very large refrigerator, and a semi-professional range. The hot tub was moved to a new terrace, and the amenities were upgraded for greater comfort.
We’ve also created a display of old photos from our archives, chronicling our grandparents’ lives in Châtel and the early days of skiing in the resort. And because memories matter, we’ve kept our first names engraved on the doors of our old childhood bedrooms.
Built with our own hands
Reclaimed materials, rich in history
We built the three chalets—Explora, Rustika, and Utopia— almost entirely on our own, with help from our parents. Every detail was designed to reflect the mountains and the passage of time.
The reclaimed wood comes from old farms in the region and from Switzerland; the slate comes from the old slate quarries in Châtel; the railings on the mezzanines were crafted from old goat feeders.
We designed custom furniture, planned all the kitchens, and crafted nearly all of the light fixtures—some of which were made from raw wood and cowbells.
Nothing is standard; everything has a history. It is this material— steeped in history and salvaged from our surroundings— that gives the chalets their character and that sense of a living space, one that can never be replicated exactly.
Behind the Scenes at the Construction Site
Hardships, freezing cold, and an inflatable crocodile
Behind those beautiful photos lay some real struggles. The most memorable one: an electrical connection that was installed the day before the opening, on December 16, right before the busy Christmas week.
A week earlier, there were still no outdoor stairs— just ladders to get to the chalets. We finished up in the freezing cold; the frozen ground forced us to use a blowtorch to be able to tighten the nuts.
Three months earlier, we weren’t even sure we’d be able to rent out Utopia in time. There was also that absurd moment when, in the pouring rain, the flooded construction site turned into a giant swimming pool, with an inflatable crocodile floating in the middle.
Exhausted but rarely short on humor, we got through it all with a laugh.
The hamlet today
Four chalets, a thousand memories to share
The hamlet was fully developed in December 2023.
Today, we welcome our guests to four chalets in Châtel, just 600 meters from the slopes, nestled among the mountains and forests with views of the peaks. These accommodations are designed for families, groups of friends, and get-togethers with the whole crew: cozy evenings by the fire, large gatherings around the table, coming home from a day on the slopes, and dogs that are part of the adventure.
Since we opened, we’ve continued to improve the chalets season after season and expand our services, from concierge services to Savoyard cuisine. Our greatest source of pride remains the fact that we built these chalets almost entirely with our own hands. And if Savoya Lodges were a scent, it would undoubtedly be the scent of wood.
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Tourism
Discover Châtel
Hiking, skiing, biking, yoga… There are a thousand and one things to do in Haute-Savoie. Whether you’re staying in one of our fully equipped chalets or just a short walk from your vacation spot, we’ll guide you and offer advice so you can enjoy the vacation of your dreams!
