Chalet des Drus - the turning point for Hip Chalets

Chalet des Drus was a turning point.

For those of you who were lucky enough to experience it during its decade in the Hip Chalets collection, you will know exactly what we mean. For those who joined us after, this is the story of the property that, more than any other, shaped what Hip Chalets would become.

In 2009, we took on a chalet unlike anything the valley had seen before, not just in terms of scale, but in terms of what it demanded of us, what it taught us, and what it proved we were capable of.

Chalet des Drus took the luxury chalet experience to the next level. 

It sat on 3000m2 of entirely private parkland in Les Bois, that quiet corner of the valley, under 10 minutes from the centre by car and a world away in tranquility. The 360-degree panorama it commanded was among the finest positions we have held: the Mont Blanc massif in one direction, the Brévent and the Aiguille Rouges in another, and directly ahead, those two granite formations that give the chalet its name .. Les Drus. 

The property itself was constructed to perfection, with an exceptional level of detail evident throughout. Its façade combined burned and sandblasted timber with beautiful stonework, materials deeply rooted in alpine tradition and chosen for both their authenticity and enduring character.

Inside, these natural textures were balanced with carefully considered contemporary design. Features such as a striking glass stairway and a slate dining table set on iron legs from the workshop of Mr Eiffel introduced a layer of modern precision. The result was a harmonious composition that respected traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern design and technology. It was, in every sense, a HIP chalet.

The wellness facilities were, for their time, truly outstanding, with a dedicated spa offering that included an indoor swimming pool, steam room, gym and massage room - creating a complete retreat experience regardless of the weather.

It was the ideal HIP formula: exclusivity without isolation, beauty without performance, luxury without noise.

Chalet des Drus did not simply raise the bar for what a HIP chalet could be - it fundamentally reshaped how we operated; 

A property of this size and complexity required an entirely new level of logistics. The fleet grew to several chauffeured vans, staffing, provisioning, housekeeping, concierge - everything had to scale up to match. It was the moment that Hip Chalets stepped from a small operation into something significantly larger, more structured, and more capable.

The future…

We held Chalet des Drus for ten years. From 2009 until 2019, when it was sold to a private owner, it was home to some of the finest stays we have had the privilege of hosting. The guests who experienced it know this, many have told us so, and we still receive enquiries about the chalet long after it is no longer part of our portfolio. 

The valley has changed in the years since. The collection has grown, new properties have arrived, and the standard has continued to rise. The spirit of Chalet des Drus runs through everything we do at HIP Chalets today. It was the moment we proved to ourselves what we were truly capable of delivering. It was, in the most complete sense of the word, the chalet that grew us up.

Which is why we are quietly thrilled to share that the story may not be over. We have just signed another exceptional and highly unique chalet called La Ferme des Drus.  A property that carries the name and the legacy of the original into 2026.

We are not quite ready to say more just yet, but for those of you who know what that chalet meant to us, and to HIP, you will understand why this feels significant. 

Watch this space.