Fleur De Neige Hôtel

We loved Châtel itself, with its quaint shops and varied restaurants adding to the charm of this alpine town. Fleur de Neige made the trip especially memorable. The rooms were even more beautiful than in the photos, the views were stunning, and the attention to detail throughout was impeccable. The spa and pool were a relaxing retreat, and families will appreciate the playground with swings, a slide, and a trampoline. The restaurant is featured in the Michelin guide, and the food lived up to that reputation. We had the duck and lamb. I’m particular about lamb, and this was the best I’ve ever tasted. Every bite showed the chef’s skill and passion. Fleur de Neige is a real gem, with an outstanding restaurant. We wholeheartedly recommend staying and dining here. It’s a wonderfully comfortable, luxurious experience with remarkable food.

We paid around €300 for two people, including two kir royale and a bottle of Le Tour de By, and left feeling it wasn’t worth it. The evening had been presented as Michelin-level fine dining, but it fell short. We’d booked New Year’s Eve dinner with high hopes for a head-chef-curated meal and a special atmosphere, and came away disappointed. The six-course tasting menu took four hours, with no explanation of the timing or what each dish was. We weren’t told in advance it would run past midnight. The welcome champagne was lovely, and the wine list was extensive. The venison was tasty but small, and the consommé was nice but reminded me of Bovril. The cheese mousse was so strong it burned our mouths. The dessert was inedible because the alcohol hadn’t burned off properly, and the waiter lit it with his cigarette lighter. Service was sparse between courses. Nobody checked on us or refilled our water, so I went to the bar twice to fill the jug. The music was loud club classics mixed with pop, which made for a bizarre atmosphere. At midnight there was no toast offered, and our glasses were already empty. Staff kept turning the lights on and off while showing the flaming dessert, with no real New Year celebration. We and several other groups left as soon as midnight struck, and it seemed clear others were dissatisfied too. We hurried to a nearby bar to salvage the rest of New Year’s Eve.

The restaurant is nicely decorated, and next time I’d like to try dinner in one of the outdoor igloos. Service was friendly and correct, and we got great wine recommendations with our cheese fondue and salad. The brioche dessert was lovely. The amuse was pork, and when we said we don’t eat pork, the waitress did hesitate before offering to change it to something vegetarian. One small suggestion: staff should cough into their elbows rather than their hands.

We loved the restaurant: the starter was moreish, the lamb shank perfectly cooked, and I could happily have had every dessert. The hotel was a wonderful place to stay too, with comfortable, spacious rooms in a very central location. They cater well for children, which is a big plus. Highly recommend it.