Airelles Val d’Isère welcomes Matsuhisa, the only outpost of the iconic culinary institution in the French Alps, and launches a new daytime slope-side steak restaurant, Le Relais, which is magically transformed into an iconic night spot, Le Piaf, each evening.
This winter season, Airelles Val d’Isère has introduced a number of new exciting culinary experiences for its guests. An exceptionally beautiful location at a snow-sure altitude of 1800 meters, the hotel’s excellence extends to its restaurants, which offer a diverse mix of rich and refined gastronomy with an array of cuisine, both traditional and modern.
Matsuhisa
After a fantastic season at Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, Matsuhisa has launched a new outpost at Airelles Val d’Isère for the winter season, making it the first and only Matsuhisa in the French Alps.
Open to hotel and external guests, diners can look forward to sampling world-renowned Chef Nobu’s unique Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influences. The restaurant is set within an elegant Japanese-style alpine wonderland featuring a dark colour palate, black wooden tables, velvet furnishings, a contemporary fireplace, and a large sushi bar taking centre stage.
The menu at Matsuhisa Val d’Isère will embody the Matsuhisa philosophy and will include signature favourites such as Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, Black Cod Miso, and Whitefish Tiradito. A large selection of sakes and creative cocktails will complete the experience.
Le Relais
Le Relais Val d’Isère, is Airelles’ brand-new high-altitude restaurant. With its sunny terrace in the heart of the Manchet valley, Le Relais will enhance the Airelles Val d’Isère gastronomic offering this season, serving authentic French brasserie cuisine. Guests will be able to enjoy Le Relais’ spaciously designed terrace, ideal for dreamy bluebird ski days.
Perfect for a lunchtime pit stop with direct access to Les Santons and l’Epaule du Charvet pistes, the restaurant serves alpine-style hearty French dishes including its signature steak-frites, alongside a selection of grilled meats. Other dishes include a salad of spinach shoots flavoured with truffle oil and parmesan shavings, followed by the traditional entrecote or pan-fried salmon cooked to perfection, accompanied by French fries, of course! Le Relais also serves a selection of unmissable home-made desserts, such as tarte tatin and mousse au chocolat.
Le Piaf
Come nightfall, Le Relais transforms into the lively Le Piaf, an exciting addition to Val d’Isère’s vibrant nightlife scene. Bedecked with red velvet benches, subdued lighting, and candles all providing a decadent nightclub-style feel.
Already an iconic restaurant in Paris, Courchevel, and Megève, Le Piaf offers refined French cuisine accompanied by an impressive list of cocktails and wine.
Le Piaf is open from 8 pm – 2 am. A shuttle will run throughout the evening between the restaurant and Airelles Val d’Isère.
LOULOU
Following last year’s success, LOULOU has returned for another ski season. Under the creative stewardship of Chef Benoit Dargère, the restaurant features a Mediterranean-inspired menu that takes influences straight from the Piedmont Valley and Lombardy. Signature favourites include truffle pizza and pistachio linguine, along with the showstopping dessert buffet to follow. Signature dessert dishes include homemade pain d’epice, lemon meringue tart, and chocolate cake.
On the cocktail menu, a number of chilled creations echo the winter temperatures of the resort and are refreshing at any time of day. As well as warming vin chaud and classic Aperol Spritz, guests can try the restaurant’s own ‘Loulou Winter’, a heady mix of Vodka Mamonte blood, Veuve Clicquot Rich rosé, and pine and blood orange liqueurs. LOULOU also has a wide selection of wines from Savoie, Alsace, and Bordeaux available by the glass or by the bottle.
The larger-than-life 800m2 terrace has become the après ski spot for those in the know. In the afternoon the resident DJ plays a selection of favourite post-ski tunes as the terrace transforms into a dancefloor.
Airelles Val d’Isère rates: Rates at Airelles Val d’Isère start from €1,200/ approx. $1,308 for a Premier room on a half-board basis and including a unique alpine experience. www.airelles.com
Airelles Val d’Isère imagery: https://lovhotelcollection.getbynder.com/web/4dbb4a66db3aa882/vdi—top-press/
Airelles Val d’Isère is situated at the Place de Neige, in the very centre of the village, with ski-in ski-out access. Positioned directly at the base of the slopes, the spacious hotel is surrounded by nature with panoramic mountain range views. The landmark building has been reborn with 41 keys, including 9 suites and 5 private penthouses, complete with their own dedicated butler. Airelles Val d’Isère is home to five restaurants including LOULOU, La Grande Ourse, Matsuhisa, Le Relais and Le Piaf. Airelles Val d’Isère also hosts a serene Guerlain spa, the largest in the ski resort. Perfect for families, the hotel has created the Airelles Winter Camp and new Ski Club, entirely designed with children in mind.
