Le Lana Hotel – an exquisite Alpine-style hotel nestled at the foot of majestic mountains, near the very center of the renowned resort, close to the ski slopes and fashionable boutiques of Courchevel. The hotel was opened in 1958 and has since maintained the traditions of impeccable service and hospitality.
Le Lana Hotel offers luxurious rooms and apartments, a magnificent spa center with a fitness room, sauna, and swimming pool – a great place to rejuvenate after active sports. Among other amenities, guests can enjoy a billiard room, a children’s playroom, a piano bar, and several restaurants offering exquisite French and local cuisine accompanied by exclusive wines.
Owner Nicolas Tournier shared the history of this luxurious chalet, the challenges of managing such a popular hotel, and what brings the greatest pleasure. Exclusive interview for Elledgy Magazine.
Le Lana hotel has opened its doors for 64 years. Could you share the unique aspects of Le Lana Hotel that set it apart from other luxury accommodations in Courchevel, and how do you ensure an exceptional guest experience amidst the competitive hospitality market in the region?
First of all, it’s a hotel with a real history because it was the first four-star hotel in Courchevel. That’s why we have such a good location, right in the center of the slopes.
And the second thing is very important; it’s one of the last hotels owned by a family from Courchevel because almost all those hotels in Courchevel changed hands and became part of big groups. And it’s not like us; we are one of the last families who still run their own business in Courchevel.
Because many customers come every year. We have a big community of customers who come year after year. They reserve from now until next winter. And it’s special because even they know each other. Because they come at the same time. And it makes a nice ambiance at the bar, and the restaurant, and a nice ambiance at the hotel.
So, Le Lana Hotel was launched by your father. Yes. Have you always known that you will continue the family business, or maybe you had another dream?
When I was young, I didn’t immediately think about… It wasn’t in my head to take on this hotel business or a restaurant or whatever. I was more interested in working in the computer and programming business at that time. I had quite a good grasp of it, and I almost partnered with a friend who was in a similar business. But things changed. The thing is, I lost my father at 23 years old. So, you have two choices: either you do something else and sell the business, or you take over. I was considering the first option, but I decided to postpone it.
Thus, I had no other option but to step in and take over Le Lana at that time.
Are you ready to call it work?
Yes, at 23-24.
Do you have somebody to help you?
At the beginning, yes, but it was pretty hard because… You know, to give you an example, there were 135 employees and staff when I started here. At that time, there were only 50 employees, which is less than half. The hotel wasn’t much smaller; it just offered different services. So, the hotel has changed a lot. I had no director, no concierge, and no bellboys at that time. And the design? It was entirely different. The bar was on the other side. Yes, there are some pictures when you go down to the ski room or in the game room. You can see the changes.
So, that’s what I like in this business. In the same business, in the hotel, you have different things to do. At this time, it’s customers and running the hotel. But when it’s closed, for four months a year, you have all the renovation. And that’s a big part of my business also. It’s my second job. My first job is a hotel keeper. And my second job involves interior design to shape the future of the hotel. If I had to rebuild a hotel, I can do it.
Courchevel is renowned for its world-class skiing. How does La Lana Hotel cater to ski enthusiasts, and what additional experiences do you offer to guests during the winter seasons? I see you have a very good spa.
Yes, indeed, we have a fantastic spa, featuring a brand-new swimming pool since this year. We completely renovated it, adding an outside sauna, an outside jacuzzi, and even a cold bath. It’s at four or three degrees, but people like it. Personally, I don’t, but guests can enjoy it. We also have a cold room with ice. If you want, you can check it out. It’s a new experience in the hotel.
After that, we offer activities like a ski-doo – you know, the snow scooter for after-skiing. Also, we have dog sleigh rides. A dog sleigh. It offers a nice experience.
What does your regular day in Courchevel look like?
On my regular day, in the morning, I arrive and greet everybody – the staff and the customers I see. I check the accounts to ensure everything is in order and also keep track of the customers’ arrivals and departures. I have a list of today’s arrivals and departures. This helps me to greet incoming customers and bid farewell to departing ones. That’s how I start my day, with my coffee. After that, it depends. I can spend time with customers, but I always have office work to do.
Could you share any memorable guest experiences or stories, such as those about famous guests of the hotel?
Oh, there are many, but what can I say? I remember one time we had customers from Kuwait. They had never seen the snow, and when they put on the ski boots, they couldn’t walk. So they asked people who lent them the skis whether it was dangerous to ski, as they were afraid of white bears attacking them. They asked if they could have alcohol or a gun in case they were attacked by a bear. We reassured them, saying, ‘Don’t worry, there aren’t many bears around.’ It was funny to see them struggling to walk; it’s a good memory, yes. Later, they called us from the middle of the descent from the mountain and asked, ‘Please, can you pick us up with the bus?’ But they couldn’t move anymore.
Do you have a personal key to success?
I believe the first key is to love and enjoy your work. Loving and enjoying your work are essential if you want to improve. If you don’t like what you do every day, improving becomes more difficult. I find it fascinating to welcome customers from all over the world. They spend at least one week with us, so there’s time to get to know them. Some customers become friends, and I even visit them in their countries during the off-season. That’s what I like about this job – the opportunity to improve every year. For example, next winter, I plan to renew all the terraces for a fresh look because I don’t like it when they’re worn. That will be our new project for next year. Generally, when we do something, we do it well.
But, you know, it’s intense during the winter. Seven days a week. Sometimes I lose track; I don’t even know if it’s Sunday or Monday because it’s every day. But I enjoy it.
How do you balance work-life and personal life?
Yes, it can be difficult to balance work-life and personal life, you know. Now I’m used to it, but balancing work-life and personal life can be challenging because I’m working and spending time with customers who are on holiday. Sometimes they invite you for dinner, parties, and other events. So, sometimes you have to decline because they are on holiday, while you’re not.
What other hobbies do you like to do during your free time? By the way, where do you live when you’re not here?
When I’m not in Courchevel, for the rest of the year, I live in Aix-les-Bains. It’s a town in Savoie. It’s a nice place on a lake, the biggest lake in France. It’s one hour and 15 minutes from here, so it’s easy for me to come back. I have a castle on the lake. It’s quite new. I rebuilt the castle when I was young. It belonged to my family, but they sold it. I bought it in an auction after it burned down, and I rebuilt it brand new.That’s all. That makes me busy for the summer.
Who has been your greatest mentor or source of inspiration?
Good question. Probably the greatest influence came from working with my father, particularly in building, construction, and renovation. I inherited this from my father. As for the winter time, I don’t know.
Reflecting on your journey with Le Lana Hotel, what accomplishment are you most proud of?
It’s the ambiance that you can feel in this hotel, and it’s having customers who are very happy when they leave on the last day. They tell me, ‘See you next year,’ or ‘See you next month.’ Many customers visit regularly, some even every month. So, seeing customers who are happy to stay here is my greatest pride.
What are your plans, goals, and dreams for the future?
I’m very pleased to see my son, who is almost 13 years old. I don’t push him for that, but he’s very interested in running the hotel. When he visits, he shows interest in the chef, the bar, and the reception. So, I will follow him whatever he wants to do, but I think he’s interested. So, it will be nice to see the third generation follow Courchevel.