Résidence Odalys Le Panoramic

The location is right on the slope, which is great, but the short-cut entrance was boarded up. The hotel was quiet and fairly modern, yet dirty rather than just dusty. We found a brush covered in dust and hair, there was no hot water for two days, and the outdoor decking had been ripped off. The ski locker for 40 apartments had just one bench and two chairs. At least it smelled nice near the ski lockers when we came back from a day skiing. Our arrival at La Panoramic was a mess. We got there at 11am in heavy snow, and when I tried the doors, some women came out and pushed me outside with my cases. When I asked if they could hold our luggage until check-in, I was told, “NO SAFE NO SAFE HERE.” Every hotel in Flaine had some option for this. I was apparently expected to carry the bags around for four hours, but I found space in Patric lockers for €20. At check-in, the same receptionist was behind the counter and was rude to all the guests. She said I had to make an appointment with her before Wednesday, so even on holiday I had to remember a meeting. At that meeting I got a checkout cleaning guide and was asked what time I wanted to leave. I said 10am because I’d paid for the room until then. She said I couldn’t, because everyone wanted to leave at 10, and told me I had to go at 9:40 since that was the only available time. I thought I’d misunderstood, but she repeated it. The place has potential, but in my opinion it needs staff with a better attitude and new cleaners. A lot of people had the same experience. Apartment 203.

Good location and quiet rooms, but this is three stars at most. The biggest issue was how clean the rooms were. From the photos, it looked like they hadn’t been cleaned since the previous winter season, and the sofa was covered in stains. We didn’t enjoy the balcony either.

For a three-star place, it’s really good, and the location couldn’t be better. You can ski straight in and out and get around the rest of Flaine easily. I’d have liked more storage in the rooms, plus a bigger boot room with more places to hang things and some heating.

You’re paying a premium for the prime spot on the ski slopes. The rooms could be cleaner, and the basics include a kitchen, a bunk bed in the hallway, and a main bedroom. Internet reception was very poor. The pool is tiny and gets busy, while reception is only open for two hours in the morning and two in the evening.