Chalet Cecilia feels like a traditional ski chalet from the moment you walk in. Slate floors, exposed wooden beams and a huge open stone fireplace give the sitting room real Alpine character, while large windows look across the Méribel valley. There’s a generous terrace too, making the most of both the views and the chalet’s position directly beside the Doron piste.

This is a Bed & Breakfast chalet rather than a fully catered one, giving you much more freedom over your evenings. Your chalet host prepares a generous breakfast each morning and leaves afternoon tea ready for your return, but dinner is entirely up to you. Head out to one of Méribel’s restaurants, order something in, bring in a private chef or use the chalet’s small but well-equipped kitchen for a simple supper. It’s an arrangement that should particularly suit guests who like the service of a catered chalet in the morning without being committed to eating there every evening.

Five ensuite bedrooms sleep ten, with one double and four twins. The interiors have a traditional mountain style, but that’s part of Chalet Cecilia’s appeal: this is less about polished contemporary design and much more about a cosy mountain chalet in an exceptional skiing position.

And that position really is exceptional. Open the ski-locker door, put on your skis and join the Doron piste, skiing directly down to the lifts at La Chaudanne and the connections across the Three Valleys. Méribel 1600 has its own shops, restaurants and bars nearby, while Méribel Centre is around a 15-minute walk or a short ride on the free resort bus. Chalet Cecilia makes a compelling choice for people who come to Méribel primarily to ski: breakfast is taken care of, dinner remains flexible and there is virtually nothing standing between you and the first run of the day.