Hotel Sportiv by VAYA

The location works very well for skiing, with ski in, ski out access and a local free bus stopping right outside for trips to Hochgurgl and Solden. There aren’t many other bars nearby, but you can ski down or get skidoo from the Nedderhutte bar on the mountain, which is good. I brought a group of 19 here with Crystal ski and we had a great time. The restaurant and Tomas were very nice. The bar music was a bit dull, and some bedrooms are tired and due for renovation. The boot room is massive and very well heated, maybe too hot. The hotel generally felt too warm as well.

I’ve just come back from a week at Hotel Sportiv, where the food was cold every morning and evening. The place felt dirty and run down. There were no reception staff except when we arrived and left, and our linen wasn’t changed all week. We only got fresh towels the day before departure. It felt like the staff block for the hotel across the road. I expected more from Crystal Ski than having this accommodation as one of their options.

The staff are brilliant, and the buffet breakfast and dinner have something for most tastes. They were even happy to prepare special meals for fussy kids. We’ve stayed twice now. It’s a very friendly hotel beside a main lift, with ski out via the lift and ski in from a red run. The rooms are spacious and warm, though not among the resort’s most modern.

The spa is a real highlight, shared with the newer, more upmarket hotel Crystal. The indoor pool, steam rooms and saunas are extensive and very high quality, and we especially liked the outdoor hot pool at the bottom of the mountain. The Hotel Sportiv itself has a great ski in, ski out position, with its boot room at the foot of the Festkoglbahn gondola. The red run back can be challenging in the afternoon, though a short bus ride is available if you’re less confident. Our room was basic and dated, but had a mountain view and everything we needed. Breakfast and dinner offered a good choice, including fruit, a cheeseboard and pudding. Mario’s service at both meals was impeccable, and the hotel should be very proud of him. The hotel bar felt dated and uninviting, but Georgi at hotel Crystal bar across the road makes a fantastic cocktail.