SOME OF THE MOST SUMPTUOUS TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE IN THE ALPS

Courchevel 1850 has some of the best ski hotels in the Alps. For us, the five-star Le Mélézin, an Amanresorts property, has some of the best designed bedrooms and bathrooms of any ski hotel in the world. It now boasts a Capri stone indoor swimming pool, flanked by two Jacuzzis, as well as a Turkish-style Hammam steam room.

However, the hotel scene in Courchevel, France’s most stylish and glitzy ski resort, is currently in a major state of flux.

France has now instigated a "five-star" rating and several Courchevel hotels have been vying for this accolade.

The resort’s flagship Byblos des Neiges has been bought by the Alp’Azur group (owners of such Courchevel hotels as the Carlina ****L , the Bellecote **** and the Ducs de Savoie *** as well as the Mont Vallon **** in neighbouring Meribel) and renamed Le Palace des Neiges. Elsewhere in Courchevel 1850, Les Airelles ***** has changed hands and built 20 new suites. La Caravalle, formerly a three-star has become a five-star in the form of Le Cheval Blanc. The Tournier dynasty has transformed the three-star Aiglon into another four-star luxe, Le Saint Roch with just 15 rooms or suites, the smallest of the luxury hotels in the resort, complete with pool and spa.

The Carlina is a glitzy establishment in a wonderfully central location and Les Trois Vallées is a well-run intimate little four-star. The Hotel des Neiges has recently been completely renovated and has a great slopeside location, as has Le Lana. One of the more recent additions is the Kilimandjaro, which is built as a series of seven chalets, with a central bulding housing the bar, restaurant, swimming pool and spa. Having gained its 4th star, Les Grandes Alpes has an enviable position at the foot of the slopes and is incredibly popular with British families.

Another of our favourites is the recently redeveloped La Sivoliere - with some fantastic suites. The Chabichou is another one, built in chalet style and with an excellent Michelin-starred restaurant. Also boasting two Michelin stars and an slopeside position, is the simpler Pomme de Pin. The Ducs de Savoie and Les Sherpas are both popular with families and both have swimming pools. Down in Courchevel 1650, the Portetta is a good three-star with pool and an enviable slopeside position that makes a good-vaule option for families. Again, it has recently changed hands and undergone a stylish renovation. There is also a new, stylish, four-star addition in 1650 - Le Manali - in a great location at the foot of the pistes. Right down in Courchevel 1300, Les Peupliers is a nice three-star with many loyal British guests.

Although technically only a two-star, the Courcheneige is a very comfortable slope-side hotel that is hugely popular with British families. It is in the process of applying to be upgraded to a three-star.

Rumours abound re developments for future seasons with the opening of a further four four-star hotels in the next couple of years but the "credit crunch" seems to have put some of these projects on hold.