Le Christania

We were very comfortable here, thanks to the extremely friendly and helpful staff. We had set off from the hotel for a motorcycle tour, and they had a garage for the bikes plus free parking for our car and trailer. When we had to cancel our final night at short notice, there was no charge. The owner also let us use a room to change and shower before leaving, free of charge. We absolutely recommend staying here.

We were a group of 10, and none of us plans to return. The whole meal felt unwelcoming, starting when our reservation for 8 arrived with two friends and the waiter immediately said, "non, pas possible" to adding them. He agreed only after we explained we just needed two more chairs. I also asked if the kitchen could cut my vegetarian burger since I was sharing it. From my restaurant experience, I know a large kitchen knife would do this quickly and more neatly than a butter knife at the table. The waiter said he would leave me to cut it myself. Nobody asked whether we had enjoyed our food, and the burger was a real disappointment, like pasta sauce between two soggy slices of bread. We ski at Hirmentaz every weekend with our children, who are all in lessons, and usually eat at the lower restaurant or the one above this one. We are easy-to-please customers, and I rarely post online over a bit of dissatisfaction, but the waiter's manner and the unwelcoming feeling from the start were beyond distasteful. I hope those in charge talk with the staff about the experience. All 10 of us mentioned as we left that we'd never bring our business back. A little kindness goes a long way.

The staff apologized, but I left feeling miserable about the room and got no compensation, either directly or through booking.com customer service. They considered it an upgrade because it had more square meters and a bath instead of a shower. To me, though, it was a claustrophobic, dated attic triple room with a tiny, caged-looking balcony and murky windows. I'd expected the normal double room shown so attractively on their website and booking.com. I hated every minute in that cage.

The ski school is only a two-minute walk away, which worked really well for the kids. You can ski right to the door, too. A great place, with excellent, friendly owners and staff who were very helpful.