Château des Avenières
Historic château character meets genuine Alpine family warmth. The main building is classic French — velvet headboards, French windows, antique wood paneling — while the separate Squirrel House suites go full contemporary chalet with fireplaces, monochromatic décor, and terraces looking straight at Mont Blanc. Relaxed, romantic, and deeply rooted in place.
The Spa Suite in the Squirrel House is the only room with a private rooftop terrace (30m²) plus its own outdoor Jacuzzi and sauna — worth the premium if you want total privacy
Why It Matters
That gold mosaic chapel is extraordinary — built as a philosophical and esoteric sanctuary, it contains over one million hand-cut Murano glass tesserae and took three years to complete. Few hotels in the French Alps have anything remotely like it. The estate history is equally unusual: built by two women, sheltered Jewish children during WWII, hosted Phil Collins for a two-week album recording, and is now run as a genuine family passion project.
Château des Avenières sits on the slopes of Mont Salève at over 1,000 meters, on a 62-hectare estate of forests and meadows between Geneva (24 km) and Annecy. Built in 1907 at the direction of American heiress Mary Wallace Shillito and her friend Marcelle Sénard — with a gold mosaic chapel completed in 1917 using over a million Murano tesserae — it became a hotel under the Odin family in 1994. The property joined Relais & Châteaux in 2014 and runs on strong sustainability values, with the owners' children supplying the restaurant kitchen from their own organic farm on the estate.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Classic Room
From EUR180 / nightThe entry-level rooms sit within the main château building and carry real character — original woodwork, traditional patterns, and forest views through the windows. Compact at around 20 m², with queen or twin beds and a bathtub or shower. Good value relative to what's above them in the range, and you're in the heart of the historic building.
Queen Size or Twin · 20 sqm
Deluxe Room
From EUR250 / nightLarger than the Classic rooms (up to 35 m²) and with the upgrade to mountain views on some. Each Deluxe has its own themed décor — one is nicknamed 'the blue room' by regulars. Forest or mountain-facing, with queen bed, and separate bathtub or shower. Still in the main château building.
Queen Size · 27 sqm
Deluxe Suite (Squirrel House)
From EUR450 / nightLocated in the Squirrel House, a separate building 200m from the château — more contemporary chalet than ancient stone. These suites sleep up to four, with a king bed plus convertible sofa, a fireplace, and a private terrace of 20 m² facing the Alps. At 50–80 m², they're significantly more spacious than anything in the main building. Be aware: some guests are surprised by the separate location if they were expecting château atmosphere.
King Size with convertible sofa · 65 sqm
Duplex Family Suite (Squirrel House)
From EUR500 / nightThe largest option for families, spread across two floors at 90 m². Sleeps up to six with a king bed, twin beds, and a convertible sofa. Forest rather than mountain views, but the space and the fireplace make up for that. Bathtub and shower. In the Squirrel House, 200m from the main building.
King, Twin Beds and convertible sofa · 90 sqmJunior Suite
From EUR350 / nightThe jump to a Junior Suite brings proper Alpine views. At 30–40 m², there's room to breathe — a proper sitting area, queen or twin configuration, and direct sight lines to the Alps. These are in the main château and are the right pick for couples who want the old-building atmosphere but with more space and the views.
Queen Size or Twin · 35 sqmMountain View Spa Suite (Squirrel House)
From EUR700 / nightThe most private room on the property. At 75 m² with a 30 m² rooftop terrace, its own outdoor Jacuzzi, and a private sauna — plus a fireplace and king bed — this is the one to book for a special occasion. Alps views from every angle. It's the closest the property gets to a private villa experience, and you're still 200m from the château if you want dinner or the communal wellness area.
King Size · 75 sqmSignature Junior Suite
From EUR450 / nightThe top tier within the main château. King-size beds, 40–50 m², both bathtub AND separate shower — the notable upgrade over standard Junior Suites. Alps views throughout. The 'Sonata' suite is often singled out in reviews for its style. These are the best rooms if you want to stay in the historic building itself.
King Size · 45 sqmTerrace Family Suite (Squirrel House)
From EUR550 / nightThe biggest suite by footprint at 100 m², and the one to book for a family that wants genuine Alps views plus outdoor space. A 20 m² terrace, king plus twin beds plus sofa bed for up to six people, fireplace, and full bathtub and shower. Same Squirrel House location as the other large suites.
King, Twin Beds and convertible sofa · 100 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Geneva is about 24 km, Annecy roughly 30 km, and Chamonix around an hour's drive. The property's location makes it an excellent base for all three.
Four e-bikes available for guests to explore the forests, meadows, and viewpoints of Mont Salève. Suitable for beginners and experienced riders. Spectacular views of the Jura and the Alps on clear days.
The estate's extraordinary esoteric chapel, completed in 1917, contains over one million hand-cut Murano glass tesserae. Built as a 'philosophical home' by Assan Farid Dina, it is one of the most unusual private chapels in France. Worth exploring during any stay.
62 hectares of forests and meadows directly accessible from the property. The slopes of Mont Salève offer marked trails and wildlife — guests have reported foxes, deer, and owls on the estate.
Outdoor multisport court on the estate with badminton courts and basketball. Casual and social — guests mention playing badminton regularly during longer stays.
On-site tennis court available for guests.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Decorative lake on the estate. Swimming is not permitted.
Forests and meadows at over 1,000m altitude on Mont Salève. Wildlife includes foxes, deer, and owls. Panoramic views across to Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy.
A new swimming pool and aquatic area is currently under construction in the gardens, with an opening planned for June 8, 2026. Garden access is partially restricted until then.
Terrace with garden and mountain views. Available for guests in certain room categories and as a shared area.
Live webcam accessible on the hotel website showing the current view from the estate.
Small gym with eco-friendly modern equipment, noted in reviews as compact but well-appointed.
BUILD YOUR CHÂTEAU DES AVENIÈRES PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning