Kelly Wearstler Unveils Her First European Hospitality Design Project at L’Apogée Courchevel

In the heart of the French Alps, Jardin Alpin has long been considered a prestigious enclave for prime skiing and unparalleled high-end amenities, and within its stunning scenery lies the pinnacle of Alpine glamour: L’Apogée Courchevel. This season, the property, part of the Oetker Hotels portfolio, has elevated its design even further, welcoming a transformed dining space by legendary American interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Marking her first European hospitality project, Wearstler has transformed the culinary space–and has introduced Beefbar, the Monte Carlo-born dining concept created by Riccardo Giraudi that reinterprets the steakhouse experience with a signature French flair. Bringing a fresh narrative to the property, the renovated dining spaces balance monumental Brutalism with mountain living, offering a welcoming place to unwind after a day on the slopes.

“The Alpine region has been a source of inspiration in my work for years, but having the opportunity to create an immersive environment within the French Alps provided a new point of reference for our work,” Wearstler shares. “The scale of the project allowed us to create an entire world truly, flowing room to room and evoking a sense of stillness and repose that feels distinct yet familiar.”

After flying into Geneva and driving through the mountains, I arrived at the property, where a crackling fire in the library lounge beside the check-in desk offered a warm welcome. Outside, skiers traversed as they accessed the famed Les Trois Vallées (The Three Valleys) ski area and a private lift just beyond the windows.

Set within the captivating snowcapped mountains, L’Apogée Courchevel offers 20 rooms and 33 suites, each designed by India Mahdavi and Joseph Dirand and featuring a distinct character. The suites lean into a mountain-side cabin retreat, featuring plaid carpeting, carved-wood closet doors, a vintage trunk against the bed, plush furs and private terraces overlooking the slopes, a design aesthetic Wearstler sought to extend into Beefbar and the surrounding dining areas–translating Courchevel’s winter landscape into a design and architectural feat.

Balancing the restaurant with the surrounding region’s striking landscape, Wearstler shared that she wanted the space to feel both grounded and intimate. The redesign, which houses the new Beefbar Courchevel, unfolds across five distinct areas: the Piano Lounge, Central Bar, Salon, and the East and West Dining Rooms. The color story is pulled directly from the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows and unites each distinctive space. 

“Our palette leaned into the local terrain, pulling deep greens, charcoal, ochres and garnet reds through richly textured materials,” Wearstler explains. “Near-black stone, brushed alpine woods and layered natural fabrics echo the forests and rugged topography, creating an experience that feels seamlessly embedded within the landscape as guests come off the mountains. The dining spaces were designed to evoke warmth through distinct yet complementary palettes of stone, textiles and wood. At the same time, window banquettes frame the surrounding peaks, tying the Alps directly into the dining experience.” 

During the day, L’Apogée Club offers a welcoming gathering space and natural hub for connection that evolves as the day progresses. In the morning, the restaurant offers a tempting and diverse breakfast selection, including decadent French pastries with distinct laminations and mouthwatering fillings, as well as cheese and charcuterie. At lunch, guests can indulge in reinterpreted versions of regional classics like Reblochon cheese. 

With captivating views of the bright, snow-blinding slopes, Wearstler works in harmony with the natural elements, uniting each space so it feels as though it exists within the surrounding environment, and is intentionally designed to cater to guests’ various needs.

“The East and West Dining Rooms are warm and enveloping, framing the mountains and anchoring the overall experience in comfort, tranquility and wonder. Meanwhile, the Piano Lounge sets a dramatic, artistic tone that stimulates guests through an unexpected, multisensory experience,” Wearstler notes. “The Central Bar then invites a social, vibrant, yet laid-back luxury feel, and the Salon’s late-night glamour is balanced by floor-to-ceiling views of the Alps.”

Infused with Alpine elegance and a sense of place, the introduction of the redesigned spaces showcases European furniture, layered textures, hand-carved wood and naturally sourced stones. Beefbar adds a cosmopolitan flair to the property, offering a sophisticated approach to dining while offering a creative reinterpretation of a steakhouse. At  L’Apogée, Beefbar adds a playful touch to its collection–specially designed emoji plates unique to the destination—a cable car and a sweater. Showcasing its signature dishes like the cult-favorite mashed potatoes and perfectly prepared meats, the restaurant also introduces mountain-inspired signature iterations tailored to its setting and meat-forward creations, including the croque sando, beefy cordon bleu and Wagyu pappardelle, all while being enjoyed in the intimate and inviting setting, created by Wearstler and her team. 

“I wanted the interiors to deepen each guest’s emotional experience during their stay, offering warmth, intimacy, and a strong sense of place after a day among the elements,” Wearstler shares. “The sculptural forms and art-driven details add drama and character, while tactile materials keep the spaces inviting.”

For the non-skier like me, the property remains a haven of discovery. Beyond the slopes, L’Apogée’s La Prairie spa is a welcome amenity. Designed as a therapeutic sanctuary for overall well-being, the spa offers treatments to recharge after a day on the slopes. Featuring five treatment rooms, a blue mosaic-tiled pool, hammam, sauna, salt cave, and cold plunge, and signature experiences that complement the Alpine location, it is a welcome retreat for fatigued travelers and respite-seeking schussers alike post-transatlantic-journey. 

Courchevel itself offers a playground of luxury boutiques and culture, but with Wearstler’s new design inside the hotel, there might be little reason to leave.