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.
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!
Bookmark & Share
