Les Balcons du Savoy

Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Chamonix France

Is France and Chamonix one of the prime locations for LGBT people to travel? Yes, it is considered one of the most friendly gay city in Europe. From restaurants, bars, sauna and gay friendly hotels Chamonix has all it needs for a great holiday in France and beyond.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) rights in France have been among some of the most advanced in the world. France has frequently been named one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world.Recent polls have indicated that a majority of the French people support same-sex marriage and in 2013,another poll indicated that 77% of the French population believed homosexuality should be accepted by society, one of the highest in the 39 countries polled.Paris has been named by many publications as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world, with Le MaraisQuartier Pigalle and Bois de Boulogne being said to have a thriving LGBT community and nightlife.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (usually shortened to Chamonix) is a resort area near the junction of France, Switzerland and Italy. At the base of Mont Blanc, the highest summit in the Alps, it’s renowned for its skiing. Year-round, cable cars take visitors up to several nearby peaks with panoramic views, including Aiguille du Midi above town, and Pointe Helbronner, across vast glacier fields on the Italian border.

Top attractions to visit in Chamonix

 Best for tours in Chamonix:

See more tours in Chamonix on GetYourGuide

 

1. Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix

Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons
Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons

Set in an alpine garden at the foot of the Bossons Glacier, Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons offers a heated indoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna. A public shuttle service can take you to the centre of Chamonix, which is 4.5 km away.

The air-conditioned guest rooms at the Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons have a modern décor. Each is equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. Some rooms offer a mountain view.

Cote Glacier, the Mercure’s restaurant, serves traditional and regional French cuisine. The bar, La Jonction, has a lounge area facing an open fire, and serves snacks and cocktails. A terrace area is available during the summer.

The Mercure Chamonix les Bossons welcomes you to its completely renovated premises. 89 air conditioned rooms, a restaurant, Cote Glacier, featuring traditional cuisine, a bar, La Jonction, with lounge area facing the open fire, and a relaxation area with sauna.

We knew the hotel was located outside the city centre but were not aware about the transport or other facilities. we took bus number 2 from Chamonix Sud which dropped us about 700m from the hotel (the bus is scheduled to stop at a bus top near the hotel only at certain times). we were checked in by a lady who also booked the breakfast for three days and just when I enquired about the facilities and transport, Enrico walked in. A cool , and clam person who was willing to assist. He provided us with card to use for the busses and trains and then explained in detail how and where we can get the bus and train from . We got the bus time tables from him.

There are two local buses which pass by the hotel. Number 2 bus stops behind the hotel at specific times and the Number 1 bus is available near the train station which is a 5 minute walk from the front of the hotel and via a tunnel under the main highway. Enrico also explained how we could reach the supermarket in Les Houches – we walked to the supermarket which is about a mile from the hotel, but you can also take a bus or the train.

We had dinner on the first night in the hotel. The food was good and the restaurant staff (Manu) were helpful. The lady at the bar was amazing and very polite. There was a guitarist playing that night and the atmosphere was lovely.

The hotel is located at the entrance to Chamonix and has free parking. The ski bus stops next to the hotel and the road takes about 12 minutes to the center. In the basement there is a Rent Ski Center and deposit for sports equipment. The reception is modernly decorated and welcoming. also has a fireplace. the typical room for the mercury hotel, quite small but pleasant.

The hotel is located outside of Chamonix on the road to Les Houches. It’s situated on a hill next to the motorway, so if you don’t have 4WD or winter tyres, make sure you’re carrying chains in the winter…
It’s got a large atrium which incorporates the bar and the restaurant, all lined with pine, which makes it very welcoming and suitably Alpine. The lift is tiny, so will literally only accommodate a single person with a reasonably sized bag… but it’s easy enough to get up and down by stairs as there are only 3 floors

The hotel rooms are spacious enough, the beds are comfortable, the bathrooms clean and the views out the back of the hotel are decent enough. I liked the fact that I could open the windows to regulate the temperature as hotels are almost always overheated! There is a reasonably sized swimming pool, which is heated to a ‘fresh’ temperature so better for exercising than lounging (there is also a jacuzzi and a sauna if you’re after greater warmth).

The breakfast is extensive, plentiful and there is something to suit all tastes. There’s a chef on hand every morning to cook eggs and pancakes any which way. He’s very friendly!

The breakfast buffet offered by the hotel is something not be be missed by anyone staying, as it is the best hotel buffet I have had in the entire trip to France. They have a huge spread with wide variety offered for vegan as well which was very impressive.

The hotel is centrally located and one is not required to walk much to reach the town center which has all the restaurant and shopping arcade or to any of the cable car ride for going up the mountain. All in all it was a wonderful stay at the hotel.

Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix
Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix

How much does a room costs at Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons ?

Prices start 151$/night for Standard Double Room. The Standard Double Room with Mountain View is  177$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This twin/double room features a cable TV, tea/coffee maker and electric kettle.

Where to book online – Mercure Chamonix Les Bossons – Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix you can find the best hotels deals in Chamonix during Unlimited Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Chamonix on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

2. Les Balcons du Savoy 4* – Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix

Les Balcons du Savoy
Les Balcons du Savoy

Les Balcons du Savoy is a residential hotel offering suites with a balcony overlooking the Mont-Blanc mountain range. It offers an indoor swimming pool and free WiFi access.

Each spacious suite has a kitchenette with coffee and tea making facilities, a seating area and satellite TV.

Les Balcons du Savoy has a games room and a living room with a fireplace. There is also private, covered parking and individual ski lockers are available. Daily cleaning can be requested at an extra cost.

Les Balcons du Savoy is a 3-minute walk from the town centre and is positioned in front of the Savoy ski lift, which serves the Brévent-Flégère ski slopes.

Luxury Suites Hotel with suites from 45m2 to 85m2. In each suite : bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, balcony or terrace, view on the Mont-Blanc range. – Swimming pool – Sauna – Fitness – Arcade – Concierge 24/24 – Private underground.

The views of the French Alps from Les Balcons du Savoy are breathtaking! Our unit overlooked a grassy meadow where dozens of paragliders landed during the day. The one bedroom apartment had everything we needed. The small kitchen allowed us to prepare and enjoy some of our most memorable dinners – right on the balcony with the best views in Chamonix.

We happened to stay for 3 nights during a heat wave in June but stayed comfortable. The trick was to open the windows at night when it was cool. Then, in the morning before venturing out for the day, close the windows and thick curtains. When we returned in the afternoon, the temperature inside was still cool.

Overall, a great stay and we look forward to returning.

The spa massage service was outstanding at a great price with the current weak Euro. Breakfast at 12 euros was basic but fine, with ample dark coffee. Our one big complaint — for those who need regular and strong wifi connections, it was almost entirely absent from the apartment and one night quite weak in the reception area where it was supposed to be strongest. If Les Balcons upgrades this necessary aspect of contemporary living, it’s a great place for families, hikers, skiers, etc. The service was uniformly friendly and helpful.

The views of the mountains from our large balcony were lovely and the accommodation provided everything we needed including a small but perfectly functional kitchen. The staff on reception were friendly and helpful, offering useful advice on where to go and what to see during our short stay.

This is rated as four star accommodation and the standard of the décor was good; some of the furniture was looking a little tired but wood can dent easily and we saw this as being part of the hotel’s overall Alpine charm. The swimming pool was a bonus. We’d definitely go there again.

A large double balcony with glass doors providing a view of Mont Blanc, a large living room with a comfy sofa, dining table, flat screen TV, a compact kitchen with everything you could possibly need, large bathroom and a large bedroom with the same sliding glass doors out to the balcony.

We loved our stay so much that we decided to extend it. Walking into the village of Chamonix was 5 minutes either on the sidewalk or across the grassy open field where the Para gliders land. Indoor pool looked fine but we didn’t use it. I guess in the winter it would be great after a long day on the slope.

We had one of the 45m3 apartments which was perfect of our needs. With a comfortable lounge with a stunning view of the mountains, small but usable kitchen and very comfortable bedroom. All was very clean when we arrived.

It is only a short walk to the centre of Chamonix and it is just far enough out to be quiet. Occupancy was very low when we were there, which meant a week of peace.

If you do stop here and can’t be bothered to cook for yourself, visit the Cousin Albert restaurant on the way into town. It is one of the better restaurants and not so expensive.

The accommodation was exactly what we wanted, rustic charm and plenty of space for everyone, and so much storage space you could find a home for everything. The location of the hotel is absolutely superb! you can walk into Chamonix within a couple of minutes and also to the cable car, glacier train and luge sites with a short walk. We took the cable car to the top of Mount Blanc and walked down from the first stop which took about 2 hours 30 minutes with a short break.

It snowed last weekend so we were lucky enough to see the whole place looking stunningly white! We ate out two nights and cooked in two nights which was a lovely mixture and really enjoyed the local way of cooking steak were they give you a hot plate and raw steak and you cook your own… Also the cheese fondues…We took a trip to Italy one day through the Mont Blanc tunnel 40 Euros for one way, and then had lunch in a lovely old italian pizzeria and came back another route with spectacular views. If you a skier then the chair lifts are very close to this hotel and the nursery slopes just outside. There is a lovely little pool and a sauna.

Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix
Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix

How much does a room costs at Les Balcons du Savoy ?

Prices start 286$/night for One-Bedroom Suite. The Two-Bedroom Suite is  384$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This 2-bedroom suite features a balcony or terrace and a separate living area, as well as a dishwasher, microwave and free Wi-Fi access.

The suite is 60 m2.

Where to book online – Les Balcons du Savoy – Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix you can find the best hotels deals in Chamonix during Unlimited Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Chamonix on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

 

3. Grand Hôtel des Alpes 5* – LGBT Friendly Hotels Chamonix

Grand Hôtel des Alpes
Grand Hôtel des Alpes

Situated in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc and at the heart of the Alpine mountains, the Grand Hotel des Alpes offers unique accommodation. Guests have access to a number of DVD’s in several languages, a private garage and a ski room with a shoe dryer.

The friendly and attentive staff welcome you in an elegant and familial atmosphere. Enjoy its stylish woodwork, comfortable lounge with a view of the Massif de Mont Blanc or relax at the bar next to the fireplace.

Guestrooms are warm and welcoming and furnished with style. They are all equipped with modern en suite facilities, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi internet access.

The hotel is situated right in the middle of the town and yet it is a quiet. It has a lovely boutique hotel feel about it (I believe it only has 30 rooms) and a lot of the original buildings features are still prominent and lovely. The staff are very attentive and helpful. I have travelled a lot and stayed in many exceptional hotels and occasionally you find a hotel that perhaps doesn’t have all the bells and whistles but it has a heart and soul, this is one of those few.

I just loved this hotel. It’s clean, the staff are very friendly and they all speak good English. The style is boutique and beautiful and it’s located in the middle of the town. It’s also 10 minutes walking away from the cable car / paragliding. We booked a suite which had the mountain view and the river was just over the balcony, the view was breathtaking! ! It’s not air conditioned but we didn’t need to as the weather is cool and kind of cold at night. We would just open the windows and maybe use a fan (they provided) if needed.

The only downside is when the sun comes out in the morning I needed to close the curtains and then not so much air would come inside the room. The suite size though was quite small comparing to other hotels but that didn’t bother me, not sure what’s the size of a normal room would be like. If I went again to Chamonix, I’m certainly staying in this hotel.

Location – right in the middle of town, very easy access to anywhere in Chamonix.

Room – tiny but reasonably well appointed. We were slightly disappointed not to have a clear line of sight of Mt Blanc and the Glacier des Bossons as it was our first visit, but not a big issue.

Service – all the staff were great. The ladies at the front desk were very knowledgeable and always happy to help. The staff at the bar and in the breakfast room were so friendly.

Would definitely stay here again and recommend it to anyone who likes a conveniently located hotel.

Without a doubt the customer service here is their asset, friendly, helpful, always with a smile. The hotel itself is great also. Positives are: rooms have character and decor is good; after 4pm they have tea time and after 6pm they have small pre-dinner nibbles. The hotel is just 2 minutes from the ski bus stops and right in the middle of town. The Super U and the Supermarkets are near by, as well as shops and restaurants. The sauna and (small!) swimming is ok but nothing to shout home about. Breakfast is continental style.

If you are hungry and like a good breakfast, you won’t find another one to match the one laid on by the Grand Hotel. At 20 euros it seems expensive, but not terribly bad when compared to ordering something similar outside of the hotel. The food however is just wonderful. Cereals, hot and cold, fresh fruit, cheeses, breads, eggs, sausages, bacon, yogurt…you name it and they have it…and you can have as much as you like. Eat breakfast later and skip lunch and it turns out to be a bargain. The orange juice was fresh squeezed and worth the price of admission all by itself.

The beds were comfy, linens first rate and the cleaning staff was unbelievably good. They came in twice a day to clean up and replace towels, so it felt like we were coming into a new room every time.

The pool and hot tub on the lower level are just lovely and while we were there, were mostly empty, so we had them to ourselves. The steam rooms and sauna are also very nice and very hot, unlike ones we’ve experienced in other locations.

In the end though, it’s the staff that makes this such a great place to stay in. Just ask them for any kind of assistance and they can’t work too hard to make you happy.

This was one of the nicest places we’ve ever stayed in and we were sad to be leaving our friends at the Grand when it was time to go.

Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix
Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix

How much does a room costs at Grand Hôtel des Alpes ?

Prices start 328$/night for Small Classic Double Room. The Mont Blanc Double Room is  584$/room per night with breakfast included – if coming on a honeymoon this is the perfect choice for gay couples.

This room is equipped with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, minibar and safety deposit box. It is complete with an en suite bathroom. Free Wi-Fi is also available.

The majority offer a balcony with views of the Mont Blanc mountain range. Some rooms are able to accommodate guests with reduced mobility.

Where to book online – Grand Hôtel des Alpes – Gay Friendly Hotels Chamonix you can find the best hotels deals in Chamonix during Unlimited Festival which is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Chamonix on Booking.com or  Trip.com  or Hotelscombined.com and see more reviews on TripAdvisor.

by Sorin

Sorin is a freelance travel writer. He is an experienced travel writer and traveller. Since 2012 he explored more than 60 countries on 4 continents: Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. Currently is based in Romania after spending the last 7 years in Myanmar.