France's Highest Hotel Opens in the Pyrenees

France opens its highest hotel at 2,620 meters

France has the highest hotel in the country: the Hôtellerie des Laquets is a luxury hotel in the High Pyrenees at 2,620 meters.

Five-star accommodation with mountain views and the opportunity to visit somewhere associated with the stars.

The hotel offers 16 rooms with modern alpine-chic interiors and mountain views.

The recent reopening of the building marks its return to service after almost 30 years.

Luxury Property Historic Building

Hôtellerie des Laquets was originally a satellite of the Pic du Midi observatory in the 1930s, offering accommodation to scientists and tourists but closed when the original cable car links were considered unsafe.

It’s beneath the Pic du Midi observatory and the rooms in the hotel have spectacular views of the mountains.

It has re-opened following a complete refurbishment which has turned it into a five star property, using elements of the original building, such as the wonderful vaulted ceilings, and adding an extension for the hotel guests.

The hotel has its own private cable car from the Observatory so getting to the hotel is a unique experience.

16 Bedrooms with Stunning Mountain Views

All 16 bedrooms at Hôtellerie des Laquets have a contemporary mountain lodge feel, with exposed stone, pale wood, sheepskin upholstery and slate table tops and views across the Pyrenees.

The hotel rooms overlook the mountains and the scenery changes throughout the day – adding to the feeling of being somewhere very special. The furnishings and fittings of the hotel create a warm, welcoming environment which makes sense given the altitude – and the need for cosiness in such a setting – but without being in any way dated or reminiscent of a traditional hotel.

The hotel has a lounge with a fireplace, piano and a terrace to enjoy the fantastic views of the Pyrenees mountains.

Observatory access

The Pic du Midi observatory, located right above the hotel, is one of the special features of this one-of-a-kind hotel.

Guests staying at the hotel can enjoy the added experience of a tour of the Observatory including the fascinating museum, plus a daily planetarium show which introduces the constellations that can be seen from the hotel.

The observatory is situated in a region of France designated an International Dark Sky Reserve and is a popular destination for astronomers and those who want to experience the wonders of the nite sky.

Meanwhile the hotel guests have the added bonus of being able to tour the grounds and telescopes of an important scientific research center, whilst also learning about the history of this important part of France's scientific heritage and the 19th Century astronomers who founded it.

Culinary Specialities and Other Activities

The hotel’s culinary specialities included a veloutte of mushrooms and Noir de Bigorre pork, local specialities of the Pyrenees. Guests can also try out the local mountain activities, such as walking, mountain biking and - in winter - skiing. The Col du Tourmalet, a famous climb in cycle races and part of the mountain stages of the Tour de France, is also close by.

In winter, the freeride skiers can ski down from La Mongie and then jump on the hotel’s cable cars to get back up for more runs in the ski area. The hotel offers drying facilities for ski boots and will have a sauna and hammam opening in December, the source article says.

A Different Kind of Mountain Retreat

Hôtellerie des Laquets is a special place that attracts those looking to enjoy mountain wilderness, spectacular scenery and have a unique type of mountain getaway.

It offers a different experience to a traditional mountain refuge as a five-star hotel but with the benefit of the four-star accommodation, including en suite bathrooms in each bedroom.

At the same time the hotel offers its guests the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Pyrenees countryside and enjoy the spectacular mountain views. There are also great opportunities to meet other guests in the lounge, bar and restaurant areas of the hotel.

This special hotel is the latest in a series of exciting places to stay in the beautiful Pyrenees mountains of France, with its unique location, wonderful mountain setting and links with the local observatory.