The ski-in/sk-out hotel offers breathtaking views of the French Alps.
A fantastical fresco juxtaposing tree-perched owls with a backdrop of vivid blue peaks covers the 16-foot-high dome ceiling at the entry of Le Coucou. Painted by Matthieu Cossé, it’s one of the more than 160 pieces of art found throughout the ski-in/ski-out hotel in the mountains of Méribel, France.
Located close to Le Rond-Point des Pistes, the 55-room Le Coucou, which opened late last year as part of the budding Maisons Pariente collection of hotels, was designed by Pierre Yovanovitch, principal and founder of his eponymous Paris- and New York-based firm. Passionate about contemporary art, Yovanovitch handpicked the property’s vast display, mingling the works of Claude Viallat, Eduardo Chillida, and Alexander Calder. Yovanovitch also collaborated with European craftspeople to build more than 130 pieces of furniture and lighting for the hotel.
Dreamy views of the French Alps are a standout, and the classic chalet architecture was intentionally staggered to maximize them. Aprés-ski takes place in the bar, which stars floor-to-ceiling windows, while relaxation unfurls in the spa or the indoor and outdoor pools, separated by a trompe-l’œil-inducing bay window.
Awash in wood, Le Coucou brandishes a timeless alpine aesthetic. Its outpost of Beefbar restaurant, for instance, pays homage to the hotel’s name with a wall of cuckoo clocks. The lodge style is balanced with a modern mélange of leather, metal, ceramics, and glass, as well as unexpected features such as the whimsical polka-dot carpeting and voluptuous guestroom sofas.
“I wanted the design to be warm, radical, and cool at the same time,” Yovanovitch says. “My aim was to breathe a fun and playful atmosphere into the interiors while referring to the traditional décor of the surrounding area.”
The ski-in/ski-out hotel offers breathtaking views of the French Alps.
Beefbar restaurant features a dramatic, lodge-style pitched roof and floor-to-ceiling windows.
The chic yet relaxed bar is done in yellow, blue, and cream hues.
Lounge chairs are tucked under arches surrounding the serene indoor pool.
Awash in wood, guestrooms brandish a timeless alpine aesthetic.
