Escape to Paradise: Luxury at CGH Residences & Spas La Reine des Pres, Samoens
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into a review of CGH Residences & Spas La Reine des Pres in Samoens. Prepare yourselves for a rollercoaster, because honestly, this place… well, let's just say it's complicated.
(Disclaimer: My brain operates on a "slightly-scattered-but-generally-enthusiastic" setting, so expect a bit of a ride. And yes, I'm obsessed with good Wi-Fi, so apologies in advance.)
First Impressions & Accessibility - The Good, the… Let's Hope Better:
Okay, so you're picturing serene mountain vistas, right? CGH delivers on that front. The location? Stunning. Samoens itself is a charming little village, and La Reine des Pres sits perched, practically begging you to take Instagram photos. Now, about getting THERE… Airport transfer is offered. Good. That’s a plus because driving those winding mountain roads on your own is… let's just say it might test your relationship with your GPS.
Accessibility? This is where things get… interesting. The website promises "facilities for disabled guests." But I didn't see a super detailed breakdown. Elevator, check. Exterior corridors, I think? But precise wheelchair access? Hmm. I didn't personally test this—because I'm a perfectly able-bodied reviewer—but for those with mobility needs, DEFINITELY call ahead and inquire VERY specifically. Don't assume. Get details! That's my takeaway.
Rooms: Comfy Caves & the Curse of the Tiny Toilet
Right, the rooms. They are… nice. Not "knock-your-socks-off, I'm-selling-my-kidneys-to-stay-forever" nice, but genuinely comfortable, well-appointed, and CLEAN. (That's important. HUGE bonus points for cleanliness, especially these days).
The room boasted:
- Air conditioning (yay, especially in the summer heat!),
- Blackout curtains (essential for sleep-deprived vacationers like myself),
- A comfy bed with extra-long, great for us tall folk.
- Free Wi-Fi (thank the heavens, because I need to post photos of my breakfast immediately).
- I had a little balcony with breathtaking views. Pure bliss to sit out there with coffee.
- A safe, a minibar, coffee and tea facilities. The usual.
Now, for the slightly less dazzling parts: the bathroom I had featured a combo shower/bath that had you stepping over the side carefully, and the toilet space was… cozy. Not a dealbreaker, but if you’re claustrophobic, you might want to take this into consideration. Also, the room wasn’t HUGE, so while it was comfortable, don't expect dancing room.
And I cannot stress this enough: EVERY ROOM, including the public areas, has FREE Wi-Fi. Praise be. I mean, I’m a sucker for a good connection, especially when forced to be indoors.
Food, Glorious Food! (and the Occasional Mystery Meat)
Alright, let's talk about the real reason we travel: FOOD. CGH La Reine des Pres offers a variety of dining options.
- Breakfast: Buffet. It's a generous spread, with everything from the international cuisine to local delicacies. You've got your bacon, your eggs, pastries, fresh fruit and yoghurt. BUT, there was a day or two where some of the hot items seem a little… tired. I'm just saying. Asian breakfast is available.
- Restaurants: There's an à la carte restaurant, offering international and Western cuisine. I did see some amazing dishes being carried out, but I opted for the buffet one day to have an easier time.
- Snack Bar & Poolside Bar: Perfect for those moments you don't want to leave the pool.
- Room Service: Available 24 hours. This is always a win. Ordering a late-night glass of wine and feeling like an absolute queen? Yes, please.
The Spa: Pure Heaven (Mostly)
This is where CGH really shines. The Spa—oh, it was amazing.
- Sauna, Steamroom, and a Pool with a view= Bliss.
- I had a massage. It was truly wonderful. I went in feeling like a grumpy, stressed-out hobbit. I came out feeling like a pampered goddess. The Body scrub was a highlight.
- The facilities are clean, well-maintained, and the atmosphere is pure relaxation.
Things to Do (Besides Eat & Spa-ing, of course)
Samoens is an outdoor paradise.
- The fitness center is available.
- The outdoor pool is beautiful, and offers a great view.
- You can hike, bike, explore the village, or just wander around soaking up the scenery.
- The hotel offers various activities. Ask at reception!
Safety & Cleanliness (Thank God, Right?)
Okay, in this day and age, cleanliness is paramount. CGH La Reine des Pres appears to take this seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection: Check.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere: Check.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
I personally felt very safe and comfortable.
Services & Conveniences (The Good Stuff)
Lots of goodies here:
- Concierge: Very helpful, they know the area incredibly well.
- Daily housekeeping: Woohoo! You can get your room cleaned as many times as you want.
- Elevator: Important.
- Luggage storage: Useful.
- Laundry service and dry cleaning: Perfect for longer stays.
- Wi-Fi for special events: They will host events; it is very beautiful!
For the Kids (and the Kid in You)
- Babysitting service: Great for parents needing a break.
- Kids meal: Check.
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely.
The Not-So-Gushing Bits (Because Honesty Matters)
- Some of the signage is a little tricky to navigate. (Why does every hotel have to be a maze?).
- The "soundproofing" in my room could have been a little better.
- While the staff is generally lovely, it occasionally seemed like they could be a bit stretched thin.
The Verdict: Escape to Paradise?
Yes, absolutely. CGH Residences & Spas La Reine des Pres, is a stunning hotel. The location, the spa, and the overall atmosphere make it a fantastic choice for a relaxing getaway. Is it perfect? No. But what is? It's a place to recharge, to reconnect with nature.
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The "Book Now" Offer (Because You Know You Want To)
Okay, here's the deal. Book your escape to CGH Residences & Spas La Reine des Pres NOW and get ready for a mountain adventure.
Offer:
- Book a stay of 3 nights or more and receive a complimentary bottle of local wine upon arrival.
- Enjoy a 20% discount on spa treatments (because you deserve it).
- Get free airport transfer.
- Mention the code "REDPRES" at booking and receive a complimentary daily buffet breakfast!
Don't Wait! This offer is only valid for bookings made within the next 30 days! Dive into luxury. Dive into beauty. Dive into a well-deserved escape!
Click here to book your escape to Paradise! (link to your booking site here).
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average travel itinerary. Consider this more of a chaotic, rambling love letter to CGH Residences & Spas La Reine des Pres in Samoens, France. I'm basically going to spill my guts (and probably some vin rouge) on the entire experience. Let's go!
Trip Title: "Samoens Shakedown: A French Alpine Whirlwind (And My Attempt to Not Fall Down the Stairs)"
Part 1: Arrival and the "Oh My God, This is Majestic" Phase (Day 1)
Morning (Or, the Dawn of My Jet Lagged Doom):
- 7:00 AM (ish): Landed in Geneva, looking like a slightly rumpled, sleep-deprived croissant. The airport was a blur of efficient Swiss bureaucracy (seriously, they could probably make a robot organize your luggage). My internal clock was screaming, "IT'S STILL NIGHT!"
- 8:30 AM: Picked up the rental car. Let me tell you, driving on the "wrong" side of the road after minimal sleep is a recipe for near-cardiac arrest. I'm fairly certain I nearly took out a family of marmots. (No marmots were harmed in the making of this trip, I swear!) The GPS, bless its little digital heart, kept yelling at me in rapid-fire French. I understood about 30% of it, which is probably why the drive took twice as long as planned.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Finally, finally arrived at La Reine des Pres. And… WHOA. Okay, moment of truth: it's even more stunning than the pictures. Seriously. The mountains loomed, coated in the morning light. The chalet looked like something out of a fairytale. I did a little happy dance in the parking lot – mostly because I was alive after that drive.
- 12:30 PM: Check-in. The staff were immaculate in their politeness. Honestly, I felt a bit like a clumsy peasant waltzing into a royal court. Still, they were very accommodating and the apartment was HUGE, which was a relief after those 10 hours of traveling.
Afternoon (Decompressing, or Trying Not to Nap in the Fireplace):
- 1:00 PM: Apartment tour. My luggage was already there. This apartment was insane. Fireplace, balcony with mountain views, fully equipped kitchen (thank god), and plush everything. My eyes practically exploded from sensory overload.
- 2:00 PM: Attempted to unpack. Failed miserably. Jet lagged + beautiful views = me staring out the window.
- 3:00 PM: Walk around Samoens. This charming village looked like something out of a movie set, but what really impressed me was the smell of fresh bread from every corner. It looked very inviting.
- 4:00 PM: Found a cozy café for a strong coffee and a pastry. Fuel.
- 6:00 PM: Back to the apartment. Spent a good 30 minutes just staring at the fireplace. I considered taking a nap right there but figured it was a fire hazard. Instead, I poured myself a glass of something vaguely red and pretended I was a sophisticated European.
- 8:00 PM: Had dinner at my apartment and ordered from a local restaurant. Amazing. After which I had the deepest sleep of my life.
Part 2: Skiing, Spa-ing, and the Great Cheese Debacle (Days 2-4)
Day 2: The Mountain, My Nemesis (and My Savior)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the apartment, a mix of cereal, jam, and existential dread about the impending ski adventure. Thankfully the coffee was good.
- 9:30 AM: Ski rental and ticket procurement. I have no idea why I thought I was ready for this. I haven't skied in like, a decade. My legs already felt like they were going to fall off.
- 10:30 AM: Up the gondola. This was actually quite beautiful, it must be said, the views are glorious.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Skiing. Attempted. Failed. Fell (a lot). Found myself mostly clinging to the edges of the beginner slopes, praying to the snow gods that I wouldn't embarrass myself too badly or end up in a body cast. But there were also those moments of complete and utter awe where you are gliding across the snow and the sun is shining and the views are something out of a dream.
- 2:30 PM: Warm, delightful lunch.
- 4:00 PM: The Spa. Okay, now we're talking. This spa was heavenly. The pool, the sauna, the massage… I'm pretty sure I achieved a state of near-nirvana. I could stay there forever.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner and an overly-zealous attempt to plan the next day using a map.
Day 3: Cheesemageddon and a Lesson in Humility
- 9:00 AM: After a good night's rest, I decided to go for a more gentle activity: a walk around the village.
- 10:00 AM: Found a little fromagerie (cheese shop). I looked at the many, many cheeses and gave it a go. I'm not sure I like cheese. It was at this point I nearly had a meltdown trying to choose. I think I ended up with 5 different types, all of which the shopkeeper gave me a detailed description of (in French, of course). I nodded and smiled a lot, hoping I'd bought something palatable.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I had a picnic. It was very good, but the cheese was intense.
- 2:00 PM: I attempted to hike a short trail. Ended up taking a wrong turn and wandering through a cow pasture. The cows were judging me. My hiking skills are clearly a work in progress.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the apartment and I gave more of the cheese away.
Day 4: Going Back To Skiing - Maybe?
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Contemplating skiing.
- 10:30 AM: I went back skiing. I'm getting better! I am starting to not fall over so much.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I had a snack and sat outside. It was so beautiful!
- 2:00 PM: Last Spa.
- 7:00 PM: Final Dinner. I think I'm starting to fall in love with this place.
Part 3: Departure and the "I'll Be Back" Mutterings (Day 5)
Morning (The Sad Awakening):
- 8:00 AM: Woke up to a gorgeous sunrise. Ugh, reality.
- 9:00 AM: Packing (the art of shoving everything back into a suitcase).
- 10:00 AM: Final moments on the balcony, soaking it all in. Feeling a sense of melancholy.
- 11:00 AM: Check-out. Farewell to the staff, who were, as always, impossibly cheerful and polite.
- 11:30 AM: The drive back to Geneva. This time, I tried to actually use the GPS and mostly succeeded in staying on the right side of the road.
Afternoon (Goodbye for Now):
- 1:00 PM: Drop off the rental car.
- 2:00 PM: Airport. The waiting room was filled with weary travelers.
- 3:00 PM: Flight.
- 5:00 PM: Landed back home.
Post-Trip Thoughts (aka, the Emotional Fallout):
La Reine des Pres and Samoens… it was incredible. The breathtaking scenery, the stunning apartment, the spa, the skiing that pushed me. Even the cheese.
It's a trip that I will never forget. I'm already dreaming of going back. Samoens, I shall return! (And next time, I'll be ready for those marmots.)
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So, La Reine des Pres... Sounds fancy. Is it *too* fancy? Like, am I going to accidentally spill a Cabernet Sauvignon on a priceless antique and get exiled?
Alright, let's be real. “La Reine des Pres” gives off serious “I own a yacht and winter in St. Barts” vibes. Walking in, I braced myself. The lobby DID scream "expensive," with its roaring fireplace and suspiciously comfortable seating. But here’s the thing: it’s *comfortably* fancy. Not the kind where you’re terrified to breathe. The staff is genuinely lovely, not stuffy. I accidentally dropped my room key (twice) and they just smiled and handed me a new one. Crisis averted! Plus, it’s *in* the mountains, so everyone’s probably wearing hiking boots at some point. You'll fit in (eventually).
The apartments – what's the deal? Are we talking shoebox or sprawling alpine haven?
Okay, here’s where things get interesting. I'm a sucker for space, and the apartment I snagged was…well, it was pretty darn close to a sprawling alpine haven. We're talking a proper kitchen (bonus points for the actual dishwasher – thank you, CGH gods!), a living room with views that made me tear up (seriously, the mountains!), and enough bedrooms to get lost in. But full disclosure? MY apartment had a *slightly* wonky closet door. Like, you needed to wrestle it a bit. Minor imperfection, but hey, it's reality, right? I got over it… eventually. The view made me forget about the door after a day. But yeah, check the closet doors.
The spa… it's gotta be AMAZING, right? Lay it on me.
Okay, the spa. This is where things go from "nice" to “OH MY GOD, I might spontaneously combust from relaxation." Forget about reality! I'm a sucker for a good massage, and I swear, I entered a state of zen I hadn't experienced since… well, maybe never. They have a pool (indoor, thankfully), a sauna, a hammam… the works. Honestly, I spent so much time in the Jacuzzi, I think I started to resemble a prune. The only negative? Leaving! I almost tried to hide in a bath robe and sneak back in the next day. (Didn't work. Darnit.)
Okay, the “CGH Residences & Spas” part – what’s THAT all about? Is it just a fancy name?
"CGH Residences & Spas" is basically French for, "We make your life easier, and we make you feel fancy." They've got everything from booking services to helpful people at reception, but the *real* perk? The spa attached to your RESIDENCE. It's like having a little slice of heaven just a few steps from your apartment. Okay, maybe not *heaven* heaven, because you still have to make your own breakfast. But it's pretty darn close.
Food. Because, you know, it's important. What's the situation? Is there a restaurant? Should I pack my own cheese?
Alright, food. Crucial. La Reine des Pres *does* have a restaurant, and it's pretty decent. Breakfast is a buffet, a glorious, slightly-chaotic buffet. (Pro tip: get there early to avoid the hungry hordes.) Dinners are a bit on the pricier side, but the food is good. Otherwise, you’re basically *expected* to use that lovely kitchen in your apartment. My advice? Stock up on cheese, baguettes, and wine. It's the French way! The restaurants in Samoens are generally charming, and you'll get your fill of raclette and fondue in no time.
Skiing! Actually, forget it. Skiing is HARD. How close is the ski lift? What's the beginner situation?
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the *actual* point of being in the Alps – the skiing! La Reine des Pres is reasonably close to the lifts. (I say "reasonably", because after a day on the slopes, *everything* feels far.) There's a shuttle, which is super helpful. Samoens itself is great for beginners. The slopes aren't ridiculously terrifying – though I *still* managed to fall flat on my face several times. Don't judge! The scenery while you're eating snow is spectacular. And if you're a total bunny, like me, there are gentle slopes to build your confidence. Just... maybe take a lesson. Seriously.
Is this place… family-friendly? Because, let's be honest, small children can be tiny chaos machines.
Yes, La Reine des Pres seemed pretty family-friendly. I saw plenty of kids running around. The apartments are spacious enough to contain small humans, and the pool is a lifesaver. The staff are generally happy to help out. But... and it's a big "but".... I was there solo. So I can’t vouch for the full family experience. I'm more of a "leave me alone with my book and my spa treatment" kind of traveller. But the vibe seemed right. Just... pack extra snacks. For the tiny chaos machines.
Parking situation? Because parallel parking in a European town with icy roads fills me with dread.
Parking... ah, the unsung hero of any holiday. La Reine des Pres has parking. Thank. The. Lord. (I believe it's underground, though I didn’t navigate it personally. My rental car and I have an understanding: I drive it, and it… stays where it’s parked. Seriously, a miracle I didn't get lost while skiing!). Parking is *essential* in a ski resort – especially when you're hauling skis, boots, and a rapidly-melting bag of groceries. So, yes, parking. Important. Check the cost and specifics when you book.
Overall, is it worth the spend? Give it to me straight. (and be brutally honest).
Look, it's not budget travel. Let's get that out of the way. La Reine des Pres is an investment. But if you appreciate nice things, beautiful views, and the opportunity to completely unwind, then YES. Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. It's a splurge, but it's a splurge that delivers. The spa alone is worth the price of admission! And the level of comfort and convenience is just… *chef’s kiss*. Yeah, I had a slight closet door issue. So what? ItEscape To Inns
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