라 바노와즈 1825

I assume historical reasons for La Vanoise not being called Hotel Amelie, but really, La Vanoise isn't a hotel because it doesn't have a reception or any facilities in it. It is rooms. The hotel is joined via, a short external link at the back, to the Hotel Amelie. Reception is in the Amelie, you eat in the Amelie and the bar is in the Amelie. I think the decor style of rooms may differ a little though. All that said, this is my second stay at the La Vanoise in 8 years. Had a great time and would go again. The room was a good size and had a good size balcony. Our cleaning lady was brilliant. She was especially kind when I managed to melt a chocolate bar on the sheets!! My only bit of minor feedback about the room was that it didn't have a bath and although the shower was always hot, it wasn't very powerful. The room was warm with enough places to dry stuff. No issues with the cleanliness of the hotel. Good beds, bedding and towels. Ski locker was 20 euros (refundable on return of the key). Breakfast was great and for once, decent coffee! Dinner was very traditional French Savoie fare. There was a set 3 course menu every day. If you didn't want that meal, a vegetarian alternative was available but limited. I have stayed in ski hotels before which asked you to chose from a limited set menu perhaps the day before, but at least there was a little choice. I liked the food mostly, but if you didn't, the lack of choice could be an issue. The hotel has a nice friendly bar and a very sociable vibe. Staff are nice too. Bar open to non residents. The issue with this hotel is that it is a 25 minute gondola ride up to Meribel and back. Last lift back down is 5pm, so watch out for that. Friend I went away with didn't like the gondola ride and thought it was too long. However, the gondola is a few minutes walk from the hotel max and is direct. No faffing about walking and with buses, so I don't mind it and its so much cheaper than staying in Meribel. For what its worth I also like Brides les Bains. Its a pretty, traditional, French spa town with some nice shops, river, park, thermal spa etc, so if feels a bit more "real France" than Meribel. I would even like to go back there in summer. So all in all, if you don't mind the 25 minute lift to Meribel, its a great option and two good little hotels (Amelie and La Vanoise).

Hôtel sympathique, grande chambre, salle de bain et wc séparé. Un bon compromis si on désire monter sur Courchevelsans en subir les tarifs. Petit déjeuner copieux mais les oranges gagneraient à être conservés au frais pour éviter de presser une orange pourrie avec tous les désagréments digestifs que cela entraînent.