White-water rafting through Giffre River
White-water rafting, Canoe-rafting and Hydrospeed
Rock Climbing on the French Alps
Elan Raja
Mc Vicker party
The lads having fun!
Marlis Kempf & Family
Rachel Brown & Gillou
Connie Foat & Family
Sarah Leech
Gea & Friends
Gea & Friends hit the snow
Buqa-fied verb - to fulfill ones desires, expectations, needs, or demands..
At Buqa, we want our guests to have the perfect experience, no matter what type of holiday they are after. Whether it is a family getaway, a winter activity holiday, a summer outdoor adventure or just quality time having fun with friends, we believe we can cater for all. We may not always get it right, but the difference is that WE LISTEN. We will go the whole length to make sure our guests are comfortable throughout, and smiling at the end of their stay with us.
The reason our guests LOVE BUQA and want to return is... well, just see what they had to say following a successful first season at Apartment Buqa.
Beautiful Samoens, Beautiful Buqa
Our stay in Samoens at Apartment Buqa was everything we hoped for... Fantastic family time in a home from home! The apartment was clean and welcoming with plenty of space and all the required amenities and some! A five minute walk down to the bus stop every morning, was steep but great for warming the legs up for a day on the amazing slopes. The friendly, helpful owners, made sure all our needs were met prior to travel and also while we were there, helping us with ski rental, ski school and transfers! Would definitely recommend and we are already talking of retuning... Our 2 boys (10 and 7) absolutely thrived there!!! Samoens is a beautiful little place with lots of character and culture, everyone was extremely helpful and friendly and seems to have lots to offer in the summer months also! Thanku Piral and Elan. 
March 2018
Spacious modern apartment
Apartment is very modern and extremely well equipped. Located just a short walk from the town centre.
February 2018
Lovely Chalet Apartment
The Buqa apartment is located up a hill approximately 10 minutes walk from the centre of Samoens. Its easy to walk but is a little steep on the way back but manageable. You are in the Alps! Samoens is a beautiful small town, typically Savoie with great shops, restaurants and supermarket (there are actually 2 but as we were there out of season only the Casino supermarket in the centre was open - but sold everything you need for self catering). The views of the mountains surrounding Samoens are stupendous.
The chalet apartment itself was smashing. It has a great kitchen with all amenities and table big enough for family gatherings. The lounge area was comfortable with all the tech you need to watch a large selection of films/TV shows but we spent most of our time when at the Chalet either eating in the kitchen or sitting out on the first balcony (which is reached through the French windows from the lounge) staring at the mountains, sunsets and stars.
We did a lot of walking - the area has load of walks that can start if you want from the front door. But don't miss the Cirque Fer a Cheval near Sixt - its fantastic and worth the drive to Sixt. You can park in Sixt and walk up to the Cirque following the footpath signs or drive up to the Cirque and do some walking from there. There's a great café/restaurant there for refreshments.
September 2017
What a view!
Buqa is an ideal place to stay in Samoens. The location is perfect: so close to the town, but still quiet and peaceful. The view is fantastic. Sundowners on the balcony were bliss.
The house is very comfortable, spacious and well equipped.
A great place.
September 2017
Amazing chalet!
Buqa is a really well set up chalet with everything you could possibly want during your stay. Elan and Gilles were extremely helpful both before and throughout our stay, with Gilles always on hand in Samoens should we need any help or advice. The chalet is in a beautiful location with stunning views of the valley and also only a short walks down the hill to get into the heart of Samoens. We would highly recommend a stay here.
August 2017
Perfect location and great apartment
In summary this is a great apartment with stunning views of the valley. It took us some time to find it when we arrived but we soon settled in. The apartment has lots of space, is superbly equipped and is just a stones through from the lovely village centre. I could write all day but no need. Just go and stay there yourselves to experience a little bit of luxury on holiday.
July 2017
You know it's good when you come back!
Me and my friends first stayed at Buqa in 2015 and it was incredible, we came over to snowboard and the apartment had everything we need to ensure we were comfortable, entertained and welcomed. So we came back!
The place is modern throughout, underfloor heating, wifi, the lot! It had boot warmers for our snowboarding boots, a rack for the snowboards, everything we could possibly want.
It's self catering and the supermarket is a 5 minute drive away which is super convenient, the kitchen is kitted out with everything you need to make food and snacks. There's a frequent bus to the slopes a short walk from the apartment so the location is perfect and so are the views from the apartment. If I had a good enough camera, the views over the town below I would've loved to have captured and get framed on my wall. Incredible.
All in all if it's a holiday with family or a holiday with friends, i'd recommend Buqa to anyone and everyone.
June 2017
Excellent...again!
This was our second stay in Buqa and having learnt the area last time this stay was even better than the last! Great accommodation with an ideal position near the village and a ski bus stop a short 5 min walk away. Gilu was excellent helping out in any situation and was there if we had any issues with the house. Faultless again! Looking forward to coming back!
Feb 2017
Beautifull place if you like quiet resorts
Buqa is a lovely place to stay - has everything you need.
Technology is obviously on the mind of the owner as you have everything you need to keep in touch with reality. If you want to get away from it all though - turn off the wifi :-)
We were very lucky to have a great snow fall whilst staying at buqa. Made the resort look fantastic and the scenery in the mountains looks brilliant. You are quite a distance from the slopes but a 5 min walk down the hill to the free bus stop is fine. You can always park near the main lifts if you have a car. There is also a secure garage at buqa for your equipment with boot warmers and racks.
Supermarket is a 2min drive or 20min walk and everything you need is provided for self catering although refreshments and some small snacks would be a good idea when arriving at the chalet. We didn't see much of the chalet host but we didn't really need him either.
Some small issues that we were not too bothered about, shower could have been cleaner and some of the boot warmers didn't seem to work but all in all the chalet is luxurious and a great place to stay if you don't want to use a hotel.
The log burner and under floor heating is the best part when its really cold outside too.
March 2017
Apartment Buqa is in a beautiful setting in Sameons, in the French Alps. The apartment is furnished to a very high standard with everything you could wish for. The view from the balcony is stunning. We had a wonderful few days relaxing, walking and exploring the area, and then sitting outside in the main square enjoying a nice cool drink! There are some lovely bars and restaurants in the village, and a local shop selling all you could possibly need.
A perfect place in a perfect location
July 2015
We had a great stay at this apartment. The owners really have thought of everything! Hoping to return next year.
March 2015
We stayed at Buqa for a week over new year week
It is a beautiful house and comfortably housed our 2 families, 4 adults and 4 kids
It is very close to the charming traditional village of samoens and it is a five minute walk down the hill. There is a ski bus to take you to the slopes but we preferred to walk each day as it is not too far and stretches the legs before your ski
Buqa has everything you need and we were very impressed with the boxee system where there was over 200 films we could watch on the tv. The log fire and cosy living area makes it hard for you to want to go out in the evening, but we did eat at le serac New Year's Eve which was really good and very reasonable. The kids also loved the ps3 den in the attic. There is a big field in front of Buqa and the kids spent hours playing snowballs and sledging there.
Samoens is beautiful and we were really lucky to get a load of snow and blue skies. A perfect week. The grand massif is a very picturesque ski area and is one if the best we have visited.
Elan the owner and Gilles the property manager in samoens were fantastic right from when we booked. They answered every question and really gave us a five star service. They booked our restaurants and offered us transport whenever we needed it.
Thanks for a wonderful holiday
4 January 2015
We stayed at Buqa for a week over new year week
It is a beautiful house and comfortably housed our 2 families, 4 adults and 4 kids
It is very close to the charming traditional village of samoens and it is a five minute walk down the hill. There is a ski bus to take you to the slopes but we preferred to walk each day as it is not too far and stretches the legs before your ski
Buqa has everything you need and we were very impressed with the boxee system where there was over 200 films we could watch on the tv. The log fire and cosy living area makes it hard for you to want to go out in the evening, but we did eat at le serac New Year's Eve which was really good and very reasonable. The kids also loved the ps3 den in the attic. There is a big field in front of Buqa and the kids spent hours playing snowballs and sledging there
Samoens is beautiful and we were really lucky to get a load of snow and blue skies. A perfect week. The grand massif is a very picturesque ski area and is one if the best we have visited
Elan the owner and Gilles the property manager in samoens were fantastic right from when we booked. They answered every question and really gave us a five star service. They booked our restaurants and offered us transport whenever we needed it. Thanks for a wonderful holiday
4 January 2015
Buqa was a great place to stay with all the comforts of home in a beautiful location. Unfortunately lacking in snow this year but still managed a bit of skiing at Avoriaz as well as the ice quads in Flaine. Would very much like to go back again with the family at a time when the snow has already fallen as Samoens is a lovely village and has a bit more character than some of the larger ski resorts.
Many thanks to Élan and Gilles for making our stay such an enjoyable one !!!
Jim & family | 30 December 2014
Merci !!!! Es war von der Planung übers Internet, die Begrüßung durch Gill und der gesamte Aufenthalt ein absolut gelungener Urlaub . Samoens liegt herrlich zwischen Bergen eingebettet
und ist ein angenehm ruhiger ,freundlicher Ort mit kleinen liebevoll eingerichteten Läden ,Cafés
und Restaurants. Es hat uns von Anfang an gefallen . Toll ist der Ausblick vom Chalet . Ich habe tolle Sonnenauf -und Untergänge fotografiert . Auf dem Balkon kann man die Seele baumeln lassen , die Nase in die Sonne halten, lesen oder den Blick in die Ferne schweifen lassen. Das Haus ist Ausgangspunkt für die verschiedensten Unternehmungen. Wir waren wandern, bestaunten die Wasserfälle im Tal, waren am Mont Blanc ,bummeln in Chamonix ,Annecy , Genf,Montreux und Samoens . Es war phantastisch. Die Versorgung und Einkäufe sind allesamt in der Nähe zu erledigen . Spezialitäten der Region bekommt man in Samoens.
Im Haus selbst ist alles vorhanden was gebraucht wird (vom Gewürz bis zur Technik ). Super
ausgestattet und modern.
20 September 2014
Very tastefully furnished and well stocked apartment - with everything you need for a great time which is 2-3 mins walk to the centre of the village. Samoens is a lovely village ideally situated - with lots of places to eat and drink, a local market and fresh food - good large supermarket 5 mins away.
We rented the apartment for a week - which wasn't really long enough for us to do all we wanted to do - weather was great with lots of sun during the day and when it rained - it rained overnight
We did lots of cycling, climbing (Via Ferrata ) and rafting as well as lots and lots of hiking up into the mountains - literally right on the doorstep - this is truly a beautiful part of the Alps with so much on offer. If you are feeling lazy you can always take the lifts up and walk down..!
We would highly recommend to anyone who loves all the modern creature comforts and wants to be able to access the great outdoors right on your doorstep.
13 September 2014
The apartment was exactly as promised, spotlessly clean, and every modern appliance you could ever need. It wasn't lacking anything. We met the local contact person who was extremely helpful and friendly.
The customer service proved by Elan was exceptional both in the lead up to the stay and our time there. He was extremely prompt with answering all our questions and seemed to genuinely care that we had everything we needed and that we had a good holiday.
Well done Team Buqa, what a perfect stay.
22 August 2014
From the electrically heated ski-boot storage to clean white sheets and towels, apartment Buqa offers welcome comfort and luxury after a great day's skiing on the Grand Massif.
We loved: the high tech: from kitchen to entertainment, this apartment lacks nothing - even includes a welcome jacuzzi bath and underfloor heating - not to mention the awesome wood burning fire place!
We were impressed by the cleanliness and high level of maintenance.. not to mention the brilliant service and friendliness from both owner and caretaker.
We will be back :-)
Karl Kusta | April 2014
We had a wonderful week at the Buqa chalet. We received a warm welcome from Gilles and had all the information beforehand from Elan. Everything was at hand in the chalet and facilities close by. We had a great week of skiing in the beautiful and extensive Grand Massif area and would very much recommend staying at the Buqa Chalet.
Minouche | March 2014
The apartment was spotlessly clean, well equipped and everything worked. The location is convenient for the village but quiet, with no passing traffic.
There is a log fire which is nice to sit round but there is no need to light it for heat as the underfloor heating is very effective.
We were two couples and a toddler and had plenty of room. Only slight critcisms would be storage if more people stayed, and the stairs to the second floor are steep.
We met the owner and the local contact person and both were very friendly and seemed to genuinely care that we had a good holida.
Anne Elvidge | February 2014
We stayed at Buqa for a week early January 2014. What appealed to us initially was price, location and the seperate TV/ gaming area for the kids. When we arrived our boys (aged 9 and 5) were very excited at the prospect of playing the PS3 and Wii consoles. For the adults there is hard drive set up with 250 odd movies which we thoroughly enjoyed watching with a glass of wine/ beer in front of the open fire. There's plenty of fire wood (included in price) in the garage which was very convenient.
BUQA's location is ideal as it's a 5 minute stroll down the hill to the village of Samoens. We loved walking down to one of the Boulangerie's each morning and picking up Pain au chocolat for the children's breakfast!
The customer service provided by the owner (Elan) was exceptional and we would not hesitate to recommend BUQA to family or friends. Will definitely consider returing to BUQA!
Charmaine & Family | January 2014
We spent Christmas 2013 in Samoens as an extended family and I booked Buqa for some of my family members. It's located within a development of new chalets and we all stayed next to each other, in and out of all our apartments.
Buqa was clean and comfortable, and just as seen in the photos. It was quite roomy, with enough space for two parents and five grown up teenagers. The kitchen was well equipped, sufficient for all the cooking we had to do for our large extended family over the week. And the living room big enough to accomodate all 20+ of us for our christmas get-together and secret santa gift sharing!
Our teenagers had a great time with all the dvds, games etc and would stay up all night having a good time until reminded they have an early start next day for the ski slopes.
The owner Elan had been very helpful throughout the booking process and sent useful directions to the apartment. Gilles was also on hand to help us whenever needed throughout our stay.
A very enjoyable experience by all the family, even our hard to please teenagers!!
Susam Temi | December 2013
The process for booking, collecting keys etc was all seamless which was great. The property itself is lovely in an excellent location with a view of the village below. It is only a couple of minutes walk down to the village but a bit longer back up the hill! Samoens itself is really nice with plenty going on in July including Bastille Day fireworks while we were there. The pool in Samoens was a big hit with our kids (its about 2 mins drive or 10 mins walk away from Buqa). There is loads to do in the area including walking, rafting, zip wire park and paragliding - we tried all of these. The wifi and the entertainment systems were invaluable to keep everyone happy when we got back to the apartment each day. It was hot while we were there but there were fans provided for the bedrooms which helped. Overall we had a great stay in the Alps this summer.
Ruth Obrien and Family | August 2013
This is a great place to stay. Very nice chalet with excellent facilities. The movies box is the best (especially with staying with a toddler!!) They had everything we needed including a cot, high chair and baby gates! Very impressed with Buqa! Elan was fantastic, checking we arrived there and home safely. Very nicer person indeed!
Laura Piggot | June 2013
this is the second time we have stayed at buqa, so that in it self is saying enough.
both times we have stayed, we have arrived before the cleaners have finished (addicted snowboarder), but they have never had a problem with us turning up early.
they let us put all our baggage in the garage, get changed & handed us a key, so we could hit the slopes asap.
the place itself is about 5 min walk in to the town / first bar :) & the whole village & shops are reachable with about 10 mins.
if you like a warm up in the morning, to stretch those legs or clear you head from the night before, you can walk to the main station with 15 mins with full skiing gear & boots on & snowboard in hand.
or if want to catch the free ski bus it about the same distance as the 1st bar (5 mins)
the chalet is very modern looking, obviously french style wooden everything but with a english eye for detail.
for example
clean & simple tiled floors, all with underfloor heating (amazing if you never tried it) all individually controlled.
all the bathrooms are clean simple in design, a good size & very functional.
the kitchen has a big chalet table for group / family meals & the kitchen is a large enough size for be doing all the cooking while entertaining / joining in the conversations.
the bedrooms are all a good size, not your average french chalet size (Compact and bijou!)
the beds sizes are generous to say the least, with all the pillows / bedding have the Buqa logo on them. a 42inch tv in each room & enough wardrobe / side table & draws space to fit the largest of kitchen sinks in if necessary.
the living room is large & spacey with a wood burning stove (always good to have a real fire & a beer after a hard day on the slopes) with a balcony which has an amazing view of the whole village & the mountain range down both sides of the valley... (this really is breath taking) plus due to the hight / elevation of the chalet, at night gives yet another amazing view with all the street lights.
if you like your tech & gadgets, these wi fi that reaches outside.
if you like movies there is a hard drive in each room (with a 42 in lcd tv..!!!) which is updated with new & old movies 500 +.
so in short, its got a great position & the facilities are fantastic.
the only thing left for me to do, is try it in the summer, so i can sit on the balcony with an ice cold beer getting a suntan & do some mountain biking, just need 5 other people who like 2 wheels...!!!!
if you don't believe me, the only thing left to do try it out for yourself.
Peter Topping | March 2013
this is the second time we have stayed at buqa, so that in it self is saying enough.
both times we have stayed, we have arrived before the cleaners have finished (addicted snowboarder), but they have never had a problem with us turning up early.
they let us put all our baggage in the garage, get changed & handed us a key, so we could hit the slopes asap.
the place itself is about 5 min walk in to the town / first bar :) & the whole village & shops are reachable with about 10 mins.
if you like a warm up in the morning, to stretch those legs or clear you head from the night before, you can walk to the main station with 15 mins with full skiing gear & boots on & snowboard in hand.
or if want to catch the free ski bus it about the same distance as the 1st bar (5 mins)
the chalet is very modern looking, obviously french style wooden everything but with a english eye for detail.
for example
clean & simple tiled floors, all with underfloor heating (amazing if you never tried it) all individually controlled.
all the bathrooms are clean simple in design, a good size & very functional.
the kitchen has a big chalet table for group / family meals & the kitchen is a large enough size for be doing all the cooking while entertaining / joining in the conversations.
the bedrooms are all a good size, not your average french chalet size (Compact and bijou!)
the beds sizes are generous to say the least, with all the pillows / bedding have the Buqa logo on them. a 42inch tv in each room & enough wardrobe / side table & draws space to fit the largest of kitchen sinks in if necessary.
the living room is large & spacey with a wood burning stove (always good to have a real fire & a beer after a hard day on the slopes) with a balcony which has an amazing view of the whole village & the mountain range down both sides of the valley... (this really is breath taking) plus due to the hight / elevation of the chalet, at night gives yet another amazing view with all the street lights.
Rob and Sangita Skilling | March 2013
There aren't enough compliments and a high enough recommendation I can give Apartment Buqa. My proof is I book every year and will continue to do so. Feb 2013 was my friends and I 5th annual trip to BUQA and yet again it didn't disappointment. Booking, price and payment, facilities, technology and the general feel of the place is fantastic. Excellent value for money and a true HOME AWAY FROM HOME. The comfort (jacuzzi bath, large walk-in shower, ample kitchen/dining area, comfy sofa and amazing balcony!) and the technology (films, TV, gaming!) provides some welcome creature comforts after a hard day skiing/biking/walking/hiking (or drinking?!?). My advice is there is no need to look elsewhere...simply BOOK BUQA.
Leon Callon | February 2013
We really did have a great time so thank you - I hope you found us to be reliable "renters".
Enjoy the rest of the season - hope you get a chance to ski/board again soon!
Sarah Lyon | February 2013
We stayed in Apartement Buqa over Christmas. Buqa is in a small group of Chalets a few minutes walk from the village centre and a few minutes more from the cable car. As a family of 4 we had loads of space to spread out and occupy all of the spacious apartment. Before travelling our host Elan gave us some good tips for restaurants and arranging our ski-ing at nearby Samoens1600 (part of the extensive Grand Massif group of pistes); and whilst in residence Gilles was available for any needs. The apartment is well kitted out, with lots of AV firepower and gadgets to keep everybody happy in the quiet moments when not ski-ing, enjoying the views or dining out in the village. Xmas in Samoens was a delight. Overall, we had a great time and would recommend the apartment and the location. Elan was very helpful throughout.
Russ Hagan and Friends | December 2012
This is the second time I have stayed at Buqa and although they were two years apart the quality of the apartment has remained in pristine condition, the technology just keeps improving and the attention to detail is crazy, even down to the signature embroidered Buqa towels and bed sheets. My Partner and I went to relax and this was the perfect solution, if we wanted to explore the beautiful landscape we had enough on offer to entertain us, including the shopping in Chamonix which is only 30 minutes away by car.. and if we decided not to leave the apartment the view was fantastic enough to sit on the balcony and watch the world go by or we could watch the immense film collection or even the UK channels showing XFactor.. The holiday resort is perfect for summer vacations but we cannot wait to explore the skiing next year with the children...
Rachel Rothwell | October 2012
We liked the house a lot, it was quite spacious, a floor per teenager was what we needed;-) Kids loved all the gadgets/toys in the house and selection of movies very extensive. The masterbathroom needed a bit of maintenance, but overall house was clean, modern and homey. Wish we had such a great house in the mountains...
Yelena and Family Netherlands | August 2012
Thank you to Elan and his team for making our stay at buqa most enjoyable. The apartment is ideally located and has fantastic views over Samoens. Plenty of chilling on the balcony with a bottle or 2 watching the sun go down. Shame we were only there for a week. I think we may be back soon.
Chris & Jeanette Lunn | September 2012
Thanks very much- we had a great time at Buqa, as before. Definitely Buqafied!
Nich Clarke | September 2012
Thanks team Buqa for a wonderful three weeks in this glorious region. So much to see and do and just to relax in the most fantastic surroundings was a real treat. Would highly recommend a summer holiday in the French Alps and the apartment Buqa makes a perfect base. Clean, comfortable and with more technology than even my teenage son could handle!
Martyn, Carolyn, Emma and Adam Long | August 2012
Just a quick email to say thanks for all your help, everything went perfect and enjoyed by all, the apartment was first class with everything we needed, relaxing after a hard day o the slopes watching the films and playing board games. We wanted to make the trip a proper family holiday where we all did things as a family, the apartment and surrounding allowed us to do this with ease. Gilles was a great help, he even came into town with us and showed us where to eat and drink, he also came to the ski hire shop. As first time skiers and snowboarders, the location, slopes and training really made everything perfect. I would defiantly recommend this to my friends and would maybe even rebook again next year.
Bob Schofield | April 2012
Lovely chalet and resort
we stayed here for a week in March with our friends and family, and despite very trying circumstances,( ie. no luggage for the first 3 days)we had a brilliant stay at Buqa. The weather was superb for one(,so at least we could soak up the rays) and the Chalet was lovely too ! It is superbly located, just a gentle 5-10 stroll to the first pub and the village.Everything is catered for in the chalet which is very clean and has all the mod cons ! (perfect for keeping the kids quiet.)
I would totally recommend this chalet to anyone,and as this was our first visit to Sameons, would say it is a charming little village.
Peter Topping | March 2012
Overall we were very pleased with the chalet; it is new, light, modern, well-equipped and very warm. Once we got the hang of the new TV systems you’ve installed it was simple to watch the movies (and BBC!). There was tons of hot water, so no problem for 8+ showers and baths a day. The boot rack was brilliant to keep the liners dry and the garage was really useful to store our equipment after a day on the piste. The other little thing is that there are tons of power outlets which is really handy what with all the iPhones, Blackberry’s, PC’s that one has with four teenagers and two businessmen who can’t stay away from their emails! We also got 20% off at X’treme Piste for the kids rentals, by mentioning Buqa, which was helpful, saving us about €50 for the week.
However, as the adults have our own skis, we felt it was too far to walk every morning, so took the car which really easy as there is plenty of parking at the gondola and it is very well organised down there. The drive FYI is 1 mile (1 600m). Carrefour is 2kms.
One or two words of critique with potential solutions;
1. The crockery was really difficult to “manage” ~ a chest of drawers is a really inconvenient storage method. Solution; replace it with a large upright cupboard and place that against the wall with the Buqa paintings (facing the door) you could stack the crockery and also possibly combine it with a tall hanging cupboard. You would still have place for the table and benches and get rid of the baskets that tended to clutter the kitchen dining area.
Buqa Action – We will reassess the space in March 2012
2. More pillows! A single pillow isn’t sufficient for each bed
Buqa Action – We have added additional pillows to each room with immediate effect.
3. Perhaps a hanging closet in the downstairs bedroom c/w drawers (although that will be a squeeze it could be possible)
Buqa Action – We will reassess the space in March 2012
I hope this is helpful. Once again, thanks from us all.
Nick Tooz-Hobson | February 2012
We had a wonderful stay at Buqa.
The apartment exceeded our expectations and the fantastic weather conditions made for a most memorable holiday.
Laura Haddock | February 2012
The apartment was clean, stylish, modern decor, and good location for centre of Sameons. It has a fully functioning kitchen to cater for 6 people and a nice shower and bathroom. The top maisonette does have restricted headroom (and I would say ideal for children). The lounge is cosy with a balcony looking out to the resort of Sameons. Elan and Gillu were both extremely helpful with advice and tips and always flexible with arrangements. Gillu picked us up every morning 9am sharp for the slopes, which worked out much better than walking to the bus stop! Overall a great apartment, the only slight criticism would be the third bedroom is mezannine so as long as you don't mind restricted headroom, and no door, it works for a group of 6.
Karen Clarlise | February 2012
Buqa Action Feb 2012 - Following Karens constructiove comments, we have added decorative stlye boards to give priovacy and a full length mirror to the mezzanine floor.
I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for ensuring we had a fantastic ski holiday in your gorgeous apartment Buqa. Everything was perfect and exceeded our expectations. I know you had no control over the weather, but the snow conditions were brilliant and the ski area is hugh, so I'm going to thank you anyway! The booking process was so easy and I really appreciated the personal touch and help and advice you gave us on where to hire skis, best supermarket, car hire, easy to follow directions....and much more.
We were met at Buqa by your friend Gilles who showed us round and explained all the facilities. Buqa is so well equipped and really feels like home, especially sitting in front of the fire with a beer or two after a hard days skiing. The underfloor heating is another thing that I have missed since coming home!
The village of Samoens is lovely and has plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from. The centre of the village is only a very short walk of about 5 minutes from Buqa. I can't wait to return next year!
Alison & Family UK | December 2011
Many thanks to Elan and the team at Buqa for a truly amazing and unforgettable ski holiday ! From the moment we had chosen Buqa the professionalism and attention to detail have been second to none. Upon our arrival we most certainly had the 'Wow Factor' ... the apartment is simply stunning and perfectly located too. Nothing has been forgotten and our two children loved all the 'Tech' and spent many happy hours in their chill out den in the evenings whilst we adults also 'chilled' with some G & T's!! Each day we were driven directly to the cable car and after a quick phone call Gillu was there to meet us at the end of another glorious day, no need to carry skis and boots .... Heaven! The Apartment is also perfectly placed in the centre of the town and within 2 mins walk we were spoilt for choice with the many bars and restaurants . All in all a fabulous holiday and one we will remember for many years to come thanks to BUQA !
Lesley Ross UK | December 2011
we have just come back fro Buqa in France and it was amazing, this apartment has everything you will need for a relaxing chilled out holiday. I would recommend this apartment to all families and the facilities are exactly what you need . Our Host Gilet was great and catered for our every need thanks xxxx
Sherry Lagden UK | December 2011
I am very happy to recommend the Buqa Apartment. We spent our 2011 summer holiday there and had a great week. It is set in glorious countryside with stunning views of the mountains and just a short - albeit rather steep - walk from the lovely little town of Samoens. Here there are lots of small shops, restaurants and market squares set against the backdrop of mountains that reach up to the sky! There was plenty in Samoens to keep us busy with mountain walks, white-water rafting, an open air swimming pool and the chance to zip wire through the trees and across a lake! The Apartment had plenty of space for the six of us and whilst our teenage kids were kept busy with all the modern electronic equipment, the adults simply relaxed with a glass of wine and enjoyed the views from the balcony. We would be delighted to return again soon!
Chris Robinson | September 2011
We had a fantastic summer holiday at Buqa. The apartment was everything we hoped for- clean, comfortable, modern, well-equipped, and beautifully situated on the hillside above Samoens, yet still only a short walk into town. This is a perfect place to chill, and the memory of sitting on the sunny balcony gazing at the panoramic view of the mountains still lifts our spirits. Samoens itself is a beautiful location with lots of character and plenty to do. Rafting (with Nunayak) was a particular highlight along with some spectacular mountain walks. Thanks Elan for your helpful and supportive service, and also to Gilles, who was quickly on hand if we needed anything.
Nick Clarke and Family | August 2011
A really comfortable and extremely well equipped apartment for a totally chilled out two weeks. We'd all recommend Apartment Buqa for either a winter or a summer holiday. Quite honestly, one of the best places that we've ever stayed in.
The Albones | September 2011
Thank you! - Buqa was so well equipped and comfortable - A thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable holiday. Recommend you try the Refuge De Salle walk! Also GiIles was really helpful and made sure we got to do all we wanted.
Anna & Juliet Cuanalo | July 2011
A wonderful week in a fantastic apartment, all fully equipped, with jacuzzi bath too! Excellent televisions, with hundreds of films to watch, Wii and games to entertain everyone. Plus an easy 5 min walk down into Samoens which has good restaurants and shops. There are lovely views from the balcony of the town and mountains.
The Samoens swimming pool is superb, loved swimming outdoors in the sunshine with the mountains as a backdrop. Lots of places to visit nearby too. Great to have Gilles available for advice and support if needed.
Everything worked and a perfect place to stay!
Jerry & Catherine Green | June 2011
We found the apartment very clean and very well equipped. Everything we needed for our 18 month old was included. The Buqa team were a great support throughout our holiday. Samoens and surrounding areas are really beautiful, well worth a visit.
The Newtons | June 2011
Returning from a fantastic, relaxing holiday in the Samoens. Chalet BUQA was perfect! It is very spacious, clean, homely, modern, well equip and is ideally located.
Waking up every morning having all the facilities to cook a good breakfast and eat it sitting out on the balcony with breathtaking views was idyllic.
Samoens is a gorgeous quaint town, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. We went towards the end of the skiing season but there were still lots to do in the town including an outdoor ice skating rink.
Even if you're feeling tired and fancy a night in there is a vast selection of films, Wii games, and playstation games to keep all ages entertained. We really enjoyed out evenings sat in front of the open fire watching a film.
A massive thank you to Elan and Piral, the advice before and during our stay was really advantageous and ensured we visited all the local attractions and definitely made the most of our time in Samoens.
We had a fantastic time and would defiantly recommend it to everyone.
Rupen & Seema Chudasama | April 2011
We must admit that your apartment is the most comprehensively complete that we have experienced and, due to the time spent skiing, weren't able to use/enjoy/play with everything that was available. Should we return to the Grand Massif ski area again we would definitely be contacting you in the first instance for our accommodation. Thanks for your promptness for returning our deposit, together with your constant desire to ensure that all was well before, during and after our stay; it is very refreshing! Tips given: Iain Brown Party | February 2011 Buqa action - The Hot water was on "Boost" and the timer adjusted and thermostat adjusted. Richard & Catherine Lewis | February 2011 The apartment is superbly situated with wonderful mountain views over the top of Samoens. It is just a very short stroll to the town which was wonderful in the evening. The ski company Extreme Glisse were efficient and provided an excellent service. Gilles looked after us very well, with nothing being too much trouble for him... Hope to see you all again sometime... McVicker party | February 2011 We loved the chalet and enjoyed our stay very much and Gilles could not have made us feel any more welcome. Tips given to make the apartment perfect: Theresa Marriot | February 2011 Buqa action - all items have been added as of 05/03/2011 My honest summary of Buqa and Samoens?...it caters for all, a truly superb and excellent value for money place to stay.
From Apartment Buqa to the Covey’s and all the Grande Massif in the middle - it's a great place to go as a family or group of friends to relax or burn the candle firmly at both ends! I won't tell you which one I did...
- Booking/arrival/transfers – PowderCab are prompt, Gillou is helpful and always available should you need him and Akash is only a SKPE call away to come to your technical rescue should you struggle with the A,B,C instructions What more can I say? TRUST ME...you won’t be disappointed - I'd strongly recommend people book a week and see for themselves!!! Leon Callon | February 2011 Andy Paxton | January 2011 I personally found it quite difficult to operate the jaccuzi (I didn't look at the manual to see if there were any instructions though...). It would be very helpful to have a crib sheet user guide for the jacuzzi similar to that which you supply for the heating instructions (we found the latter very useful). The other downside was the saucepans were quite scratched and not easy to cook with (although I appreciate holiday makers don't look after expensive pans!). Gilles was very helpful and friendly and it was a real bonus that he was able to give us a lift to the mountain in the mornings. All in all we had a great time.
Doreen Kingston & Family | January 2011 Buqa acted on the suggestions and has a "crib sheet" for the jaccuzi and has replaced all the saucepans. Corrine Wilson - Scotland | January 2011 I hope this will explain: We loved our stay at Buqa apartment!! The place was stunning and the house was absolutely perfect! Very clean and good equipped! We felt immediately very good and it seems to us like being in our own home! A big thank you to Elan and Gillu for all their help and kindness before, during and after the stay in Samoens! We are very happy for starting our 2011 in this wonderful place! A big thank you for everything, and I hope to have the occasion to come back at your place again! It was perfect!
Gea | January 2011 Sarah Leech - USA | December 2010 Best regards to you and your family, Cathy & Pat Nolan | October 2010 We were a little apprehensive to go to Samoens in the summer as I had heard a lot about how amazing the Samoens winter season was, but all of our expectations were completely blown away with how fantastic Samoens is in the summer. Samoens is known as the small village with the big heart, and that it is a place that you cannot help but fall in love with. It is certainly all of those and more. We fell in love with Samoens instantly and really didn’t want to leave. I think Samoens is probably one of the most beautiful places we have ever had the pleasure to visit. Whether it is walking down into the village to get some bread and have a coffee, or if it is off the park to walk round the lakes, everywhere you look, you are surrounded in the most breath-taking beauty. To make our holiday just perfect, we were lucky enough to get a week at Apartment Buqa. This place was stunning. Buqa has a great philosophy - "to Bond and Unwind in Quality surroundings, All year round". And this is just what we did. The apartment is split over 3 levels, kitchen and bedroom with ensuite downstairs, living room, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, and there is a lovely mezzanine at the top. Each room has all the tech gadgets you could ever want! Big screen TV's in each bedroom and the living room. Each TV has its own media centre with movies and music of all genres and is available at the touch of a button. Not only that, but there is a PlayStation 3 and Wii in case you manage to get a spare 5 minutes. To top it all off, the living room opens out on to a big balcony where you have the most impressive views over the mountains. The perfect place to sit and watch the world go by. At the end of the week in Apartment Buqa, we were already deciding on when we would be able to return. This was a fantastic holiday, and we are already counting the days until we can. Adam | September 2010 I have attached a picture of me and Gilles with Month Blanc behind us for a giggle. I’m looking forward to skiing next year where I will probably fall more in love with the place than I already am (if that is possible) Thank you so much again x Rachel Rothwell | September 2010 Hope this is ok and will be in touch in the New Year to discuss potential of renting the wonderful Buqa again in the Summer. Take care. Karen Wright from Reading, UK | September 2010 Thank you again and regards Richard Sue and Ollie Richard Hinckley | August 2010 We may well be in touch again for a return in the future Dave, Sue & Family | August 2010 Dave Harris | August 2010 Overall we loved our week at Buqa and wil definitely keep your details so that we can recommend you to other people Thank you again and best regards Ian Tyres | July 2010 All the best for you, Piral and the two children! Marlis Kempf | July 2010 It was also very nice to know that Gillou was around and so approachable - you have all been very helpful and gone out of your way to ensure we had a rewarding, smooth-running holiday - Thank you! Rachel Brown | June 2010 We want to thank you for the lovely stay. Lucy Martin | April 2010 Nick & Laura | October 2009 The Profits | September 2009 Whether you are a family looking for thrills, or a couple looking to escape for a few days, I would definitely recommend Buqa and Samoens for a summer holiday. We loved it so much, we are returning to Ski in the winter. Chris Gibson and family | August 2009 The location of Buqa is great, overlooking the town and mountainside - it is such a treat to wake up in the morning and to look out of the window, and get ready for yet another day in the slopes. The facilities in Buqa are great, very modern and a great living room type of area to chill and listen to the endless amount of music available, and likewise watch films. I will be back next year for sure, and this time I will bring the whole family... Mikael, Katie and Max - Ascot UK | April 2009 The Ruparelias. Leicester, UK. | September 2009 The Carrs family. Oxford, UK. | April 2009 The Thompson family | March 2009 Tom and Lucy. Cheshire, UK. | August 2009 Jason and friends. Manchester UK. | March 2009 Krista, Alice, Sara, Carys and Mai. | September 2009 Nisha, Shelley and the kids | March 2009 Reality now just hitting us!! Although here in Romania we do still have blue skies.
My only comment would be that the hot water is a little too hot. I know that you had warning signs at each basin/sink, but the water was almost scolding hot!!
We really enjoyed the stay, and have already recommended you to others!
Many thanks,
We would like to thank Elan and his team for a wonderful holiday in Buqa. The apartment is great, clean, warm and very well equipped. A home from home.
We have just returned from a fantastic week in Samoens. The weather was good and the snow conditions were better than we thought they would be.
Two plastic salad bowls, a wooden spoon, full length ironing board, better chopping board.
We've just returned from our 2nd visit to Buqa...say's it all really!!! Team Callon will be there again in 2012 - book me up!!
- The apartment sleeps 7 adults easily and you never feel cramped or like you’re living on top of each other. You’ll be wanting under-floor heating installed at home after a week at Buqa!!!
- The Grande Massif is exactly that...MASSIVE! so plenty of slopes to bash. There's something for every level of experience too.
- The nightlife is what you make it – The Aspen and Coveys remain Buqa favourites with the apartment well equipped for a quieter time should you want it (at €6 ish for a large beer – the supermarket/Buqa is probably a better shout!). A Wii, PS3, TV channels galore and plenty of films to choose from make Buqa just like home – all dead easy to access for the technophobes (me!).
- Free WiFi access keeps you in touch with work/those back home should you desire :)
Buqa is simply immaculate in every sense, stunningly located - but still quiet, warm and comfortable, with some cracking extra luxuries like the whirlpool bath and more high tec gizmos and games than you could ever need. The views from all the floors are the best in Samoens (i have been in 6 previous places in Samoens) the beds are all super comfy and have top quality bedding. The layout is great for 6 friends and if we come back to Samoens next year, we will look at Buqa first if our group size fits. Can't recommend it enough, very good value, and a great holiday....the whole experience from booking, communication and care and attention have been second to non.
Incidentally the only things i would suggest to improve on your near perfection is the media unit in the lower bedroom overhangs the shelf and gets caught sometimes as the cables are a little short, and a couple more chairs on the terrace would be good, but not essential .... you have it that sorted. Great job.
Thanks Again for a smashing place to stay, i suspect i will be back in touch ;-)
We really enjoyed our stay at Buqa. The chalet is well laid out and has all the creature comforts we could have wished for. The view over the mountain from the lounge is spectacular. The chalet is perfectly located, being 5 minutes walk from the village whilst also being situated down a quiet lane so its very peaceful.
Our group of 7 stayed in BUQA in January 2011. The apartment is every inch as gorgeous as the pictures on the internet, and is far better equipped than the average holiday rental. The fantastic views from this tranquil spot make the short walk uphill from the centre of Samoens worthwhile. The service provided by Elan and Gilles was near perfect in every detail - the flexibility afforded to us regarding check in and out was particularly appreciated.
Unfortunately my English isn't so very good. We would like to say a lot of things on our wonderful experience at your place but it is a bit difficult for us write everything down!
The birthday vacation of my dreams. The cabin is absolutely breathtaking and fully equipped with everything anyone could want. The staff helped my group the entire way, going out of their way to accommodate us in terms of coordinating taxis, and being thorough to explain all technology and systems in the cabin. The location is only a five minute walk to town, and the picturesque town is full of activities, delicious foods and wonderful hikes. We could not be happier with the Buqa Apartment.
Great apartment in a superb location. This was our third holiday in the Alps and we all agreed that Samoens is an ideal location - close to Annecy, close to Chamonix and many other beautiful places. The apartment has a great "bird's eye view" of the town and is just far enough removed to give a perfectly peaceful location whilst being a short stroll to the shops. There are some great walks in the area - we were particularly taken with the superb views out at the Cirque du fer a cheval. All in all, a great holiday. Many thanks for your attention to detail and excellent communication.
We have just returned from a week at Apartment Buqa in Samoens, France. My wife and 2 children all agreed that this was one of the best holidays we had ever had!
I just wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU. What an amazing apartment in Samoens, we had such an amazing time and the surrounding area is beautiful.
We have just got back from a week spent in the Buqa and had the most wonderful time! The apartment was just as described and very luxurious. Everything is provided that you could possibly want and the view from the balcony was superb. To wake up every morning and have coffee and breakfast on the balcony was such a treat! The town of Samoens is lovely, very quaint with lots of lovely shops and great bakeries! There is a range of activities to do in local area including swimming in Samoens pool, walking along crystal clear river, visits to waterfalls and drives to bigger towns such as Annecy and Geneva. A must is a visit to Les Lindarets where a herd of goats roam free in the village and it was a super place to visit. The views from up here are simply breath taking too! Overall, this was one of the best holidays we have had and we will definitely be returning to Buqa and Samoens for another relaxing and invigorating holiday!
Hi Elan, just to say what a fantastic week we've had at your lovely chalet. We thoroughly enjoyed all the activities on offer and the facilities at your chalet are excellent. Our son even made friends with the children next door! Gillu was very helpful and welcoming. We are leaving a little early only because the opportunity to visit a friend in Paris on the way home has arisen.
Dear Elan and Team Buqa
Just a quick note before we leave to say thank you. We have had a great time at Appartment BUQA which was beautiful, clean and more than we expected. The weather generally has been good and we will be leaving tomorrow morning early but will ensure we leave it in the same condition we found it.
Best regards
Chalet is beautiful, Scenery is amazing and weather is great. All is perfect with the World
Our stay at Buqa was a huge success thank you - loved the house, great location, very well equipped and comfortable. Our normal gauge is if, when you arrive after a tiring journey, you immediately feel at home and have everything you would expect and need, then we have picked the right place - and Buqa scored well on all accounts. Having visited most parts of France this was our first time in the Alps and we will definitely be back again - Samoens was such a friendly place and my two 14 year old boys loved the VTT mountain bike competition going on in the town on our first day.
Ian, Lizzie, Matt & Jonny
On Sunday evening we finally arrived at home again. We enjoyed our holidays in your apartment very much. The kitchen is very well equipped and we really liked the interior design. As we stayed at BUQA on the national holiday of France we had a spectacular view of the fireworks from your balcony. We had very nice neighbours (house on the right - owners of 3rd apartment) Leonie and Paul and their dog Berkeley ( new friend of our dog Lilo ;) ). We visited the waterfalls in Sixt and the Botanical Garden in Samoens - Walter and Vivien went to the Climbing World Cup in Chamonix - the weather was beautiful (30 degrees) and the week was just to short to do everything we planned. Thank you again for all your kindness and help :))). Enclosed you will find pictures of Walter, Vivien and me in front of Buqa and a picture of Lilo.
we found the apartment very well equipped and a wonderful base to come home to - i must confess to have particularly enjoyed the bath after exploring the mountains!
The apartment was gorgeous, and we felt really looked after. I must say
The attention to detail that team buqa give is fantastic. somewhere we would definately recommend...All the information given to us was perfect. we did not realise the bus stop was just around the corner, opps!
We chose Chalet Buqa for our honeymoon in Oct 09 as we wanted to spend a week in a beautiful village in the Alps. The Chalet was easy to find and only 45 minutes drive from Geneva which makes it an effortless journey. We arrived at night to find a chalet that had been really tastefully finished and was immaculately clean. We know the area well from both skiing and mountain biking, but having never been out of season before weren't sure what there would be to do during the day. Just exploring the immediate area kept us busy though. The waterfalls at Sixt fer a Cheval were really dramatic and the Botanic Gardens in town made for a great afternoon stroll in the sun. Feeling a little more energetic, we walked up to the summit of L'Aouille du Criou as it's such an impressive sight from the village. Its bigger than it looks and the views from about half way up near the Chalets were incredible. We also managed to cook some great meals; this was more down to the fantastic ingredients available in the village and the excellent kitchen than our skills. It was also great to see new technology being used so well to create such a relaxing feel, with underfloor heating, smart lighting and a great jacuzzi bath all being fully appreciated, especially after the long walk. Out of season it was the perfect place to wind down after our wedding and we had a fantastic week with Chalet Buqa playing a big part in that. Great memories and we already have plans to use it for skiing this winter.
Summer evenings. Aperitifs on the balcony overlooking the valley, as the sun sets over the mountains. Looking back on a great day's walking.
Buqa is a lovely chalet for a summer break, with lots to do during the days. We had a wonderful stay.
Many thanks to the Rajas for introducing us to Samoens and Buqa! It's the perfect location for those who like to keep active or just wishing to chill. Having spent the days climbing, white water rafting, canyoning, walking and cycling, we could return to Buqa and relax in style.
...I stayed at Buqa in March 2009, with a group of friends. We had a great time in Samoens, which BTW is a lovely little French town (not your typical French ski - in, ski -out type of resort that's got no charm at all). This little town is really nice, and as the Samoens ski area is part of the "Le Grand Massif" ski domain the potential for great skiing/snowboarding is endless - both for the more experience skiers/snowboarders but then also for the less experienced ones.
We couldn't think of where to go for the bank holiday break and a family member suggested samoens and we thought what are we going to do in a little village when most of us are city people. How wrong we were, samoens was one of the most beautiful villages I have seen with the perfect summer weather and a multitude of outdoor activities for families/couples if you choose or unwind if you so desire. A picture-perfect village. There is so much to see around-chamonix, mont blanc and it's surrounding areas and Switzerland too. We were there for 4 days/5 nights, I wish we had longer. Can't wait to go back. Three generations had a great time.
Three words to describe our week at Apartment Buqa in Samoens: Idyllic, energetic and fun-filled. A wholesome experience we plan on repeating next season.
We loved the whole week from start to finish. We were greeted by an immaculate apartment, both contemporary yet homely feel. Rob and Carla were the perfect hosts through the week, and much fun was had by all the family on the Grand Massif slopes. Well done Buqa!
Thanks Buqa for making our stay memorable! With some good advice from the hosts, my wife and I managed to cram a lot of activities and relaxation into one long weekend. For those who appreciate a bit of dare devil action, the Via ferrata mountain climbing definitely sent the heart racing! Lac aux Dames was beautiful for a leisurely stroll and a picnic, followed by a few rounds of golf at Morillon and we even managed the Indiana adventure park! To balance it out, we made good use of the Jacuzzi at Buqa, and caught some sun on the balcony.
Great value for money, very tastefully decorated apartment; the best bit for us had to be the Wii games console and the great selection of movies! The 7 of us were very comfortable, not tripping over each other like in chalets we've previously holidayed in. Cooking was actually a pleasure as the kitchen/diner was so stylish and well equipped. And to top off a great holiday, the powder on the slopes was amazing all week. :D
We loved our stay at Buqa. Great apartment, great location. The view of Samoens from the apartment was stunning, and we loved cosying up to the log fire most nights. The locals were really friendly and approachable, especially considering we speak so little French. The owner of Le Serac was very welcoming and the pizzas were delicious. Also, really enjoyed meeting the boys at Covey's Irish Bar and having a few drinks on a couple of occasions. A perfect relaxing getaway. We'll certainly be coming back.
This was a truly amazing location, with an air of peace and tranquillity in the beautiful village... a lovely place to go for walks, wonderful friendly locals, oh and the skiing on the slopes was only 5 minutes away from the apartment! Very handy indeed.
The apartment itself was very well equipped. 5 stars all round!
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