Skis on, steam in the hammam, Latino music in the background. At Val Claret, the hotel Ynycio cultivates an unexpected art of living at an altitude of 2,100 metres. A four-star address that embraces its quirkiness and attracts a clientele in search of experience as much as gliding.
The snow is covering the roofs, the snow groomers are tracing their last lines in the morning twilight, and from the balconies you can gaze out over the immaculate landscape of the de Tignes.
Just a stone's throw from the lifts, the’Ynycio is a contemporary refuge where winter is intensely experienced. Outside on the slopes, inside in a warm atmosphere.
Built three years ago by the family group Mountains, the establishment breaks with traditional Alpine codes. Here, light wood meets more vibrant touches, the architecture remains elegant without being ostentatious, and the welcome is neat but relaxed.
Ski, return, relax
The real luxury? Leave the hotel, slide down a few metres and put on your skis. Val Claret's slopes are right on your doorstep. No shuttle, no car. The ski area opens up immediately.
«Direct access to the slopes is a key asset in winter. Customers love being able to ski in and out».» says a member of the team.
After a day of downhill after downhill, it's time to return to the hushed calm of the wellness area. Light-filled indoor pool, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi: the view of the snow-capped peaks accompanies every moment. The contrast between the crisp air outside and the enveloping warmth of the spa is part of the ritual.
L'Ynycio has around thirty flats, ranging from cosy two-bedrooms to large family suites for up to eight people. In winter, the weekly rate is around €3,000, depending on the season. A clear positioning for a complete service, between top-of-the-range residence and hotel services.
A Latino interlude at 2,100 metres
And then there's Bazurto. The hotel's winter restaurant, designed with chef Juan Arbelaez, adds a unique touch to the address.
Behind the large picture windows, the colourful plates contrast with the white outside. Colombian cuisine revisited, spices mastered, a hushed atmosphere that sometimes veers towards the festive in the evening.
At this altitude, the surprise effect works. Guests go from powder to cumbia in a matter of hours, without leaving the resort.
«Customers are looking for more than just accommodation. They want an atmosphere, a signature. Bazurto clearly contributes to the identity of the place.» they say.
The Montagnettes footprint
Behind theYnycio, the group Mountains is continuing the Alpine expansion it began in the 1990s. From Val Thorens to La Plagne, the family-run business has built its reputation on hotels that are integrated into their environment, attentive to detail and the overall experience.
In Tignes, it also operates the Le Taos hotel. Elsewhere, it offers a range of concepts to suit different target groups: families, premium breaks, residences with spa and restaurant facilities.
«We're almost fully booked at peak times».» confirms the team. The clientele is a mix of French and English speakers, regulars of the major estates and newcomers attracted by the comfort and strategic location.
When night falls on the glacier and the lights on the estate gradually fade, the’Ynycio continues to live. A final dip in the warm water, a cocktail with a South American flavour, skis drying in the entrance hall. In Tignes, winter can also have a flavour of elsewhere.