Under one roof, Le Kaïla in Méribel gathers a starred restaurant, a brasserie at the foot of the slopes, a fireside bar and a cigar lounge, and that is what I like best about this five-star hotel. The food concept comes from the Michelin-starred chef Laurent Azoulay. At his restaurant L'Ekrin, the cooking brings together Provence and Savoie: he grew up with Provençal home cooking and has made Savoie his adopted region. In the morning, a generous breakfast buffet is laid out.
For something more relaxed, I would book you into Brasserie Le 80, right by the pistes. It works for lunch before you ski or for dinner with a lively crowd. Expect classics given a fresh twist, friendly après-ski and festive evenings. Bar du Kaïla is arranged around a large fireplace, smart but easy-going, and the head bartender mixes original cocktails made to your taste, alongside a fine choice of rare spirits. It suits any hour, from lunch and tea after skiing to an aperitif before dinner.
Later in the evening, I would point you to the Kuba Lounge, a snug cigar room with patinated leather seating. The barmen suggest a spirit or digestif to go with the cigars. If you would rather stay in your holiday accommodation, room service brings the chef's dishes to your room for breakfast, lunch or a romantic dinner with views of the mountains. And in the centre of the resort, La Chaudanne pairs an elegant lounge bar with the feel of an English pub, open from the first coffee of the day through après-ski and into the evening.
