Tradition is important in France. Particularly in a place like Chamonix, considered one of the oldest ski resorts in the world. Building a brand new hotel here, in other words, is a bit of a gamble: to compete with the glamorous old lodges and chalets in the valley, things have to be just so. At Hotel Héliopic Sweet & Spa, they are. Ideally located just steps from the Aiguille du Midi cable car, it’s a modern hotel with a slightly retro look. Nothing too out there, of course, nothing that breaks too seriously from the Chamonix norm — the main buildings are shaped like chalets, and there’s a spacious bar and library for après-ski drinks. But there are other features at the Héliopic, ones that suggest a forward-thinking concept of a ski vacation in Mont Blanc. It’s a tech-friendly hotel, for starters, with large 3D maps in the lobby to help you plan your outdoor adventures, and quick and complimentary wi-fi throughout. And guest rooms, in a departure from the region’s standard aesthetic, are simple and minimalist, with oak parquet floors, gray tweed rugs, and crisp white sheets. All rooms have private balconies with mountain views. And a flat-screen TV, of course. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. There’s other stuff you don’t quite need at Hotel Héliopic, though, and we’re glad for it. Drop your kids off at the dedicated children’s area — and grab yourself a handful from the serve-yourself candy and popcorn bar while you'e at it, whether or not you have kids — before hitting the subterranean swimming pool or the lavish wood and stone Nuxe Spa. This isn’t your everyday spa experience, it’s worth noting. Nuxe has a Japanese-style whirlpool, an ice grotto, a tea shop, a tepidarium, and a hanging Egg chair by Pierantonio Bonacina. Join the social scene at the bar, or, if you’re too tired after a day of skiing to bother with drinks or reservations at the Héliopic’s elegant restaurant, skip it. You can always stop by Epicerie du Midi, a gourmet grocery kiosk, for high-end takeout and in-room snacks, and perhaps grab a French film from the DVD library, too.
