Alpine Dependance by Arenas Resort Valaisia

The kids loved swimming at the end of the day, and we enjoyed the sauna and cold plunge. Breakfast was great before a long day of skiing. The hotel is beautiful and within walking distance of the Arnouva gondola. Highly recommend!

The ski-in, ski-out location and the big ski and boot room are hard to beat, and the room was fine, with a few newer touches. The bathroom and shower were about what I expected. But I’m not convinced this deserves a four-star rating, so I wouldn’t book again at full price. Breakfast felt limited for a four-star place. There was only a small hot-food buffet, no freshly cooked pastries or bread, and not much cheese or cold meat, plus a soupy Birchermüesli. At busy times it seemed overstretched, with queues at the drink machines, slow food refills, and staff who seemed a little irritable. The pool is nice for kids, but not really a place for adults to unwind, and the gym seems set up for ski teams to stretch rather than proper workouts. Maybe it’s different in summer. I didn’t try the restaurant or bar.

The room was spacious, pleasant, and had a nice view. Beyond that, the stay was disappointing for such a high price. The garage is expensive, very run-down, narrow, and dark. I’d park outside. The bar is promoted as a major feature, but closing at 6 PM makes that hard to understand. Breakfast was acceptable but very basic for the price. Although the restaurant area is large, guests were packed into one small section, which made it noisy. There was a long queue for coffee, yet the second machine stayed switched off. The spa felt more like a public bath than a spa: just one tiny sauna and a steam bath. It was loud despite the “Silence” signs, so it wasn’t relaxing. The area also looks dated, with a huge locker room taking up space guests don’t seem to need. The hotel markets itself well, but fell short in most areas.

The rooms, food, and spa area were all very nice, and the location is ideal if you ski. I loved staying here and had a fantastic experience. I’d definitely return.