Grand Hotel Royal e Golf

Grand Hotel Royal e Golf has no course and offers no golf services: to play, book directly with the club in the area.

The reference is Golf Club Courmayeur et Grandes Jorasses, at Le Pont in Val Ferret. Born in 1935 from a design by Peter Gannon and Henry Cotton, it is a 9-hole course with double starts, a par 70 measuring 5,508 metres from the men's tees. The course follows the Dora river and crosses it with two par 3s facing Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses.

The season runs from late May to early October. The club has a driving range, putting and pitching greens, a golf school and rental of clubs, trolleys and golf carts.

According to the hotel, it all began with the Trattoria delle Alpi, founded by Lorenzo Bertolini and Giulia Gabioud and later Courmayeur's most prestigious address. In the early 20th century it passed to the Chabloz family. The site recalls the King of Saxony and Queen Margherita of Savoy among its guests, and says the hotel took the name «Royal» in her honour.

Between 1952 and 1954 the building was reconstructed with an imposing facade facing Mont Blanc, with contributions from architects including Giò Ponti and Pinto. Rooms come in seven categories, from the Classic to the 50 m² Suite and the Family Grand Deluxe for four guests; the Junior Suite measures 35 m². The hotel gained its five stars after a recent renovation.

The Grand Royal restaurant has a dining room with parquet floors and tall windows on Mont Blanc, designed by Giò Ponti. Chef Giuseppe Falcone speaks of «respect for ingredients, territory and tradition». It serves every day from 7.30 to 9.30 pm.

Next to it are the Bistrot Royal, the Champagnerie Royal and the Royal Lounge Bar, open from 10.30 am to midnight.

The Royal Spa has five treatment rooms, a private spa, a hammam, a sauna and a Finnish sauna with a wood stove in winter. The wet area is for guests aged 16 and over and the spa opens 10.30 am to 8 pm.

The outdoor pool is heated in winter and opens 11 am to 8 pm. Pets are not allowed in the spa or pool; they are accepted in rooms for a fee. In winter a shuttle runs to the ski lifts. Check-in is from 3 pm, check-out at 11 am and reception is staffed 24 hours a day.

• A trattoria turned grand hotel. The story starts with the Trattoria delle Alpi.
• Kings and queens. The site recalls the King of Saxony and Queen Margherita among its guests.
• Giò Ponti in the dining room. The Grand Royal room was designed by architect Giò Ponti.
• Test drives on ice. The hotel offers the Royal Driving Experience, with driving on snow and ice and karting.