Nestled among the snowy hills of Megève, a picturesque ski resort in the French Alps, British design darling Luke Edward Hall has brought his signature sense of eclecticism and love for antique whimsy to a brand-new opening for 2026. Reinvigorating the interiors of a historic timber chalet, Hall presents Hôtel Saint-George, crafted with a strong narrative approach that finds its chief inspiration in medieval mythology. Drawing from this ‘poetry of myth’, the designer (who is also an artist and writer by trade) looked to the 12th century tale of Saint George, a gallant knight who saved his town – and, of course, a damsel in distress – from a ferocious dragon. Translating the motifs of this ancient story to a snow-dusted bolthole in the present day, distinct identities have been forged for its three core spaces: the hotel, represented by a sketch of Saint George on horseback; the cosy piano bar by a now-mischievous dragon, cocktail in hand; and the in-house restaurant, Le Trappeur, by a ‘loyal and robust’ wild boar.
Stepping behind the façade of the traditional alpine lodge (a property owned by luxury hospitality brand Relais & Châteaux), guests are welcomed by a theatrical reception, almost evocative of a movie set: a purposefully stylistic choice thanks to Hall’s vision of the hotel as a “living scenography”. Two painted columns and draped curtains frame the reception desk, itself painted with a postcard-perfect mural of the surrounding mountains – Mont Blanc, for instance, just a stone’s throw away. Artwork, books and eclectic décor dedicated to Alpine life feature throughout the reception and into each of the 29 guestrooms, including headboards covered with Christopher Moore fabrics (inspired by French and English illustrations from the 18th and 19th century), desks that undulate like mountain ranges, and green metal light fixtures in the shape of trees and reindeer preserved from the original chalet. Extending this thematic commitment, staff even sport playful winter knits, cardigans and pullovers from Hall’s own clothing brand, Château Orlando.
After a day on the slopes, guests can find respite in the 29 guestrooms, five of which are suites, following a colour palette inspired by the natural terrain: red for winter intensity, yellow for summer light, and green and blue evoking trees and the sky. Here, edelweiss carpets, designed by Hall, are joined by coloured marbles, patinated vintage fixtures and sculpted bathroom basins. Down in Le Trappeur, dining rooms wrapped in rich wood panelling nod to the classic French bistro aesthetic, while in the glow of the hotel’s piano bar, heavy velvet curtains and a brushed brass bar top are complemented by locally crafted ceramic tiles – a pianist providing entertainment on winter weekends, and a carefully curated day-to-night playlist playing gently throughout the week.
About Luke Edward Hall
Luke Edward Hall is an English artist, designer and writer. Luke’s philosophy is shaped by his love of storytelling, nature and fantasy. His work is often inspired by mythology and folklore, filtered through a lens of irreverent romanticism.
Luke established his studio in the autumn of 2015 and since then has split his time working on a broad range of projects and across multiple disciplines. He exhibits his drawings and paintings internationally with Athens-based gallery The Breeder, and works as an interior designer, creating and art directing hotels, bars and restaurants.
Re-enchantment of landscape is central to Luke’s visual language, recalling a lineage of artists who have depicted the male figure through a poetic, queer gaze. Much of what Luke attempts to evoke in his work is a spirit of time and place, one that relates to his experiences but takes on an otherworldly aura in memory…
Luke has authored three books and in March 2019 he joined the Financial Times as a columnist in FT Weekend, answering readers’ questions on interior design and living well.
Photography Stefan Giftthaler