NEW HOTEL OPENING

On May 12, the Domaine les Terres Bleues opened in the town of Xonrupt-Longemer, in the Vallée des Lacs — The “Valley of Lakes” — in Hautes-Vosges, near Alsace. The region, unsurprisingly, has many top rate vineyards, especially for white wines, given the perfect conditions afforded by the Vosges mountains. 

The hotel, with possibly one of the smallest occupancies in the world when full, sits in the heart of the valley on a hectare of preserved Heaven. Built by hospitality pros Adrien Feltz and his partner Alexia Courtois, they have, they say, created a unique getaway. “We wanted to create a place that brings together everything we dream of finding during our own getaways as a couple.”

There are two chalets — yup, just two — designed by architect Gérald Klauss. And each chalet is for just two guests, with a king size bed, a 50 meters south facing terrace (that’s very wide, to save you doing the math).

Breakfast is served to your chalet every morning, and it is included in the price! For lunch, dinner, apero etc you can choose from a variety of menus and they are served in the chalet. You can eat every meal on the terrace. If you want to cook for yourself the chalets have a kitchenette, with a minibar and fridge stocked with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks and a selection of champagnes, red and white wines.

And, unrelated to your dining options — although, maybe not… — there’s a Jacuzzi, the living area has a wood-burning fireplace. The chalets have large bay windows, and the bathrooms have a sensory shower and freestanding bathtub. 

All designed to promote connection to nature, indoors and outdoors.  There’s an outdoor pool on the property, with a bar serving beers and soft drinks (the pool is heated from May to October, after that, may God have mercy on your soul). 

I think they work on the same rule as my father did, “I will assist nature not fight against her!” There’s a natural spring water bath, a mirror sauna “in the forest”, and various treatments and massages available to you, and apparently tailored for you, whatever that means. Your wellness concerns — should you have any — are covered by optional yoga, meditation and sophrology sessions. So don’t worry about that.

Hautes-Vosges is known for its diverse landscapes teeming with wildlife and lakes. The region’s largest natural lake, known as the ‘lake of a thousand reflections’, is a little over 3 and ½ miles hike from the hotel. The hotel will facilitate a few outdoor options for you — mountain biking, guided hikes, countryside picnics or you can just go watch the wildlife. Presumably they mean the animals, as it sounds a bit quiet and meditative for any other kind of wild life. And, you know, it’s not like you’re not going to meet a lot of people at the bar. Which they don’t have. 

The Route des Crêtes is where to go to see views of the Vosges lakes, mountains and valleys, and you can bike or drive. Or take a drive and explore the Alsatian villages, less than an hour away. Walk on the vineyard trails and taste local wines along the way. (Now you’re talking! Oh, sorry, that was my inner voice getting out.) 

In the winter, the ski resorts of Gérardmer and La Bresse are a 10-minute drive away. I mean, they’re still there in the summer, it’s not like they move, but they’re closed. Obviously.

560 Rte du Valtin, 88400 Xonrupt-Longemer – Vallée des Lacs, Hautes Vosges.

Tel +33 6 78 40 34 01

www.domaine-lesterresbleues.com/fr/