Village Club Les Balcons du Lac d’Annecy – Neaclub

Village Club Les Balcons du Lac d’Annecy – Neaclub Overview

So I stumbled across this place almost by accident – Village Club Les Balcons du Lac d’Annecy – while driving down Route de Cessenaz looking for somewhere to stay that wasn’t crawling with tour buses. You know what caught me first? The name sounds way fancier than it actually is, which honestly turned out to be a good thing. It’s got this unpretentious, almost residential vibe that makes you feel like you’re staying at a friend’s family place rather than some corporate hotel chain.

The location is actually pretty clever – you’re in Sévrier, which means you get those postcard Lake Annecy views without dealing with the chaos of Annecy’s old town (though you can bike there in about 20 minutes if you’re feeling energetic). What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets in the evenings. During the day you’ll hear some road noise from the route, but once the sun starts setting over the lake, it’s just… peaceful. The kind of peaceful where you can actually hear the water lapping against the shore if you open your windows. Speaking of which – get a room facing the lake if you can, because the mountain views in the morning are worth the extra euros.

The whole setup feels more like a club than a traditional hotel, which explains the “village club” thing in the name. There’s this communal energy that works really well if you’re traveling with family or don’t mind chatting with other guests over breakfast. The staff genuinely seems to know the area – I mean really know it, not just the tourist highlights. They pointed me toward this little hiking trail that starts practically behind the building and leads up to some incredible viewpoints that aren’t in any guidebook I’ve seen. Parking was straightforward too, which is saying something in this part of France where you’re usually circling blocks looking for a spot. Check-in was refreshingly human – no rushing, no corporate script, just “here’s your key, here’s where the good coffee is, let us know if you need anything.”

Look, it’s not going to win any design awards, and if you’re expecting marble lobbies and turndown service, you’ll be disappointed. But there’s something genuinely charming about a place that focuses on the basics and gets them right. The beds are comfortable, the showers have decent pressure, and you wake up looking at one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. Plus, you’re perfectly positioned for exploring the area – whether that’s the thermal baths in nearby villages, the weekend markets, or just finding a good spot to sit with a book and watch the sailboats drift by. It’s the kind of place that grows on you, especially if you stick around for more than just a night or two.