Luxury hospitality groups are continuing to refocus on destination hotels, including mountain markets where seasonality can be balanced by winter sports demand and year-round leisure. Evok Collection, which operates and develops luxury properties across Europe, says it has acquired a long-standing address in Val d’Isère, in the French Alps, with plans to convert it into Nolinski Val d’Isère.
The company’s announcement centers on the acquisition of Hôtel La Savoyarde, described as an iconic, family-run hotel in the resort since the 1970s. Evok says the property will be rebranded under the Nolinski name and is scheduled to open in December 2029.
From a heritage chalet-style address to a Nolinski mountain concept
Evok frames the move as a new step for Nolinski, calling it the brand’s first mountain destination. The company’s existing footprint includes properties in major European cities, including Paris and Venice, and additional projects are listed for the coming years.
While the company plans to reposition the hotel under its Nolinski identity, it also indicates an intent to preserve the property’s legacy. Hôtel La Savoyarde is portrayed as a well-known local fixture that has welcomed generations of guests and notable personalities over multiple decades. Evok says it will maintain the spirit and heritage of the building, while introducing what it describes as a contemporary alpine-luxury approach.
What is planned for Nolinski Val d’Isère
Evok says the redeveloped hotel will run across six floors and will include 45 rooms and suites. The concept is designed to suit both couples and families, with the company pointing to room configurations that can include interconnecting options.
Additional facilities outlined in the announcement include a restaurant and bar, as well as a spa featuring an indoor swimming pool. For families traveling during ski season, Evok also mentions a dedicated kids’ club. The overall aim, as described, is to create a retreat that supports active days on the slopes and more relaxed evenings indoors.
In terms of views, many of the rooms are described as having private balconies looking out toward the resort and surrounding alpine landscape. This element is often a deciding factor for luxury buyers and loyalty guests in high-end ski locations, where the scenery is central to the experience.
Design and delivery: Le Coadic & Scotto, with Zaka Investments leading
Evok says the architectural project has been entrusted to Le Coadic & Scotto. The studio is credited with delivering multiple landmark projects for Evok Collection, including Cour des Vosges and Nolinski Venezia, according to the announcement.
Evok also names Zaka Investments as the party leading the project on its behalf. For hospitality developments, the division of responsibilities between hotel owners, development managers, and design teams can affect timelines, renovation scope, and how much of a historic property is retained versus replaced.
Why Val d’Isère matters for luxury hotel demand
Val d’Isère is widely recognized as one of the Alps’ best-known ski destinations, known for its mix of high-end accommodations, direct access to skiing terrain, and an established international visitor base. For hotel brands, strong winter demand can support premium pricing, but it also requires operational readiness for peak weeks, staffing scalability, and a guest experience that goes beyond rooms to include wellness and family services.
Evok’s plan includes elements that align with these requirements, such as spa and pool amenities, plus a kids’ club. For travelers from major cities, including those based in the Gulf such as Dubai, the appeal of French Alps resorts tends to be driven by access to established luxury infrastructure and a consistent calendar of ski travel demand.
Timeline: an opening targeted for December 2029
The most immediate implication of Evok’s announcement is the long development horizon. With a targeted opening in December 2029, the project will likely involve multi-year design, permitting, and renovation planning. For guests and partners, that means information will likely emerge in stages, including design updates, room layouts, and service details closer to the launch date.
For the broader market, brand expansion into a mountain destination can be a strategy to capture demand that is distinct from urban luxury travel. However, success depends on how well the hotel differentiates itself relative to other high-end properties in the same resort, particularly in areas like spa experience, dining, and family-oriented programming.
What to watch next
As Evok prepares the transition from Hôtel La Savoyarde to Nolinski Val d’Isère, the industry will likely watch for updates on the scope of renovations, how heritage elements are handled in the redesign, and how the final offer positions the property within Val d’Isère’s premium competitive set.
The December 2029 opening timeline also places the project into a period where post-pandemic travel patterns, airline capacity, and shifting consumer spending habits may influence luxury travel demand. Evok’s ability to translate the Nolinski brand promise into a mountain context will be a key question for future announcements.