Airelles, The Uber-Luxe French Hotel Group That Flies Under The Radar

I thought it would be fun to do a series of posts on some of the world’s small luxury hotel groups that often don’t get much attention. I’ll kick this off with Airelles Collection, which is probably my favorite boutique luxury hotel group in the world, with just half a dozen properties.

I don’t want to bury the lede — Airelles properties are priced at the very top end of the market, but unlike so many other hotel brands, they actually deliver an amazing experience. You spend a lot, but you also get a lot. I stayed at my first Airelles property in 2022, and since then, I’ve visited all of the brand’s property (for the record, while paying the standard going rate).

Admittedly there’s no great points angle here, but for those who love luxury hospitality and value an amazing experience, I think the group deserves a shoutout.

As you can see, in the title I mention how the hotel group flies under the radar. Some people might quibble with me on that, as there’s no denying that some of the individual properties are quite well known. However, I think the group overall doesn’t get enough international attention.

Background on Airelles Collection hotels

Airelles Collection is a boutique French hotel group. Technically, Airelles started all the way back in 1988 in the French Alps, with the opening of Les Airelles Courchevel. However, this was really elevated in 2007, when French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit acquired the property, and took it to the next level.

This was one of the first hotels to get France’s “Palace” distinction, reflecting the high standards. That was the start of the brand, and it grew from there. Obviously Courbit has an eye for properties with great potential, and turning them into something special.

The reason I mention this background is because from the perspective of a guest, the whole brand basically feels like a billionaire’s passion project, where despite the high rates, you can’t help but wonder if they’re actually making money, given the level of service and inclusions provided.

Fun fact — Courbit also owns Ladurée, and that’s something you’ll definitely notice at Airelles properties, as macarons are basically force fed to guests, and you’ll see them at every turn. Yum.

What makes Airelles properties special

When I think of what I enjoy in a luxury hotel stay — sense of place, anticipatory service, amazing dining, and a real effort into surprising guests and exceeding expectations — Airelles checks all the boxes. I’d say that in many ways, Airelles sums up what so many people love about traveling to France, on the high-end.

Obviously there’s some variance in terms of the experience across properties, but just to give some examples of the things that stand out to me:

• Airelles properties are incredibly family friendly; it’s not just that they tolerate kids, but they embrace them, and have amazing kids clubs, game rooms, etc.
• Airelles properties have phenomenal dining, and best of all, most properties have either a half board or full board rate, with virtually no restrictions in terms of what you can order (sure, you can add truffle your dish!)
• Airelles properties offer highly personalized service, and it really seems like they go out of the way to surprise guests at every turn, even with the littlest of details
• Airelles properties just feel generous, despite their high prices; minibars are complimentary and ridiculously well stocked, there’s a gift on your bed every night, at some properties the house car is a Rolls-Royce, there’s just a dessert spread randomly sitting in the lobby, etc.

As I said earlier, we’ve paid out of pocket for all of our Airelles stays, and while they’re very expensive, they’ve left me wanting to come back for more each time, because the properties are that great. To me, there’s not a higher quality hotel group in the world.

Airelles hotel locations & basics

Airelles currently has six properties, all in France. If you’re a Francophile, you can’t help but appreciate just how varied these properties are — you have two ski properties, two properties in Saint-Tropez, one on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, and one in a charming village in the countryside.

Let me briefly go over some details of each property, and then I’ll link to a review of each. In the near future, Airelles will also open its first property outside of France (in Italy), which I’ll briefly cover below as well.

While Airelles’ individual properties are increasingly getting onto the radars of international travelers, most people still aren’t aware of the overall hotel collection. There aren’t many hotel brands where I think this is the case, but Airelles properties are worth blindly staying at, and worth checking out, as you’re assured quality.

Airelles Courchevel

Airelles Courchevel is where the brand began. The 44-room property is located in Courchevel 1850, which is probably France’s swankiest ski town. This is my favorite Airelles property, and my favorite ski resort in the world.

The level of service, luxury, amenities, and coziness here, are simply unrivaled. The property has ski-in, ski-out access, perfect service, the most over-the-top selection of restaurants, an incredible bar, and amenities ranging from a stunning indoor pool, to a cool arcade room that even adults will want to hang out in, to a theater.

Read my review of Airelles Courchevel.

Airelles Val d’Isère

Airelles Val d’Isère is the brand’s other ski property, also located in the French Alps. The 41-room property is stunning, also with ski-in, ski-out access. Honestly, purely in terms of the physical building, I think the Val d’Isère property might even be a little more impressive than the Courchevel property.

This is just an incredibly well rounded luxury ski resort. I’d say the main difference is the Courchevel property is a little more over-the-top, which just reflects Courchevel at large. The guest profile at Val d’Isère is more European, while Courchevel tends to attract more guests from Russia, the Middle East, etc.

Read my review of Airelles Val d’Isère.

Airelles Château de Versailles

Airelles Château de Versailles is a breathtakingly unique 13-room property, located on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. Airelles Château de Versailles is unlike any hotel I’ve stayed at before. The biggest selling point of this hotel is that it gives you special access to the Palace of Versailles, even at times when it’s closed to the public (you get a morning and evening visit). The level of access is truly incredible.

Even beyond that, this hotel offers an incredible experience, with so much effort put into transporting guests back in time. This isn’t your typical luxury hotel experience — I’d say it’s a hybrid between a luxury hotel, a history safari, and an immersive, performative experience.

Read my review of Airelles Château de Versailles.

Airelles Gordes, La Bastide

Airelles Gordes is located in the medieval hilltop village of Gordes, in Provence, and this place feels like it’s out of a fairytale. It’s not often you get to stay in a 16th-century palace. This is such a lovely place for a spring or fall visit, with a beautifully restored property, a village you can just roam around, and phenomenal dining.

I’d highly recommend this property if you’re looking to relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery in this part of France.

Read my review of Airelles Gordes, La Bastide.

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, is probably the most well known Airelles property. I’d argue that it might just now be taking on Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc as France’s hotel with the most “scene.”

This 86-room property is definitely becoming Airelles’ most popular property. The piece of land that this resort is on is just unbelievable, as it’s on a hill overlooking the sea in the distance, and then the hotel also has its own beach club and restaurant (which you can be driven to in a Rolls-Royce, natch).

The grounds of this property are beautiful, though as someone who appreciates Airelles for its amazing service and experience, this is probably the property I’m least excited about, as this has basically turned into one big place to see and be seen.

Read my review of Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière.

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Pan Dei Palais

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Pan Dei Palais, is the one Airelles property that I’ve visited, but haven’t actually stayed at. It’s the sister property of Château de la Messardière, and it’s ideal if you want to be in the town of Saint-Tropez, rather than above it.

Think of the 12-room property as being more like staying in someone’s huge villa, rather than a resort. If you’re looking for a resort vibe, lots of dining, and a scene, Château de la Messardière is definitely for you. Meanwhile if you want to be closer to town and want something more intimate, this is a great option. There’s also the opportunity to travel between the two properties, when staying at either.

Airelles Venezia

Airelles Venezia is expected to open in late 2025 or early 2026, and will be Airelles’ first property outside of France. The 45-room hotel will be located on Venice’s Giudecca Island, just a five-minute boat ride from Piazza San Marco.

The property will be housed within the former Bauer Palladio complex, consisting of three restored buildings, a 16th century heritage church, and expansive gardens, with views of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.

How to book Airelles hotels

Airelles generally has rate parity between booking channels, so you’ll typically pay the same rate regardless of which source you book through. I’d recommend using a Virtuoso travel advisor, so that you can take advantage of extra benefits while not paying anything extra. Those benefits include things like a room upgrade subject to availability, a property credit, and more.

In some situations, credit card luxury hotel programs (like those of Amex and Chase) also have Airelles properties as part of their portfolio. The catch is that when booking through these programs, you may not have as many options in terms of what rates you can combine those benefits with.

At many Airelles properties, I’d argue it makes sense to go for the half board or full board option, and Virtuoso travel advisors can often combine Virtuoso perks with those rates, while only the standard rate is generally bookable through the credit card hotel programs. Still, if you can use something like Chase Points Boost, it could be worth booking that way.

Bottom line

Airelles Collection is probably my favorite boutique luxury hotel group in the world. Each of the brand’s properties is unique, and worth seeking out. It just depends whether you’re looking to go the beach, ski, see historical sites, or enjoy wine country.

These hotels have very high pricing, though at least unlike many other hotel groups, Airelles properties try to offer value as well. They go above and beyond to be generous and include things. If you can swing it and love amazing luxury hotels, I can’t recommend an Airelles property enough.