Hôtel de la Couronne

The rooms aren’t large, but they’re well laid out, with good closet and storage space. Everything felt clean and new after the recent renovation, and ski storage on the lower level was very convenient. There’s also a sauna, restaurant, and game room, plus a free hot chocolate machine the kids loved. We nearly bought a crepe from the front every day. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. It’s easy to get around by bus, and the hotel is very close to one of Chamonix’s best ski slopes. We loved our stay and would highly recommend it. We booked close to ski season, so the price was higher than we expected, but I imagine booking ahead could be more affordable.

After hiking 32 km, we booked a stay for our second-to-last day on the trail. The staff were welcoming and never judgmental. It was a brilliant change of pace from the simple TMB refuges. There’s a bar right across from the hotel with great cocktails and decent food. Breakfast was good too, with fresh pastries and a nice selection.

We didn’t feel welcome at all, apart from one nice guy at reception. The other staff came across as rude and unkind. They said we hadn’t paid, even though our receipt showed that we had. We’d asked whether we could come down for breakfast five minutes early because of an early transfer, but they wouldn’t allow it. For a hotel calling itself luxurious, that service didn’t feel professional.

There’s no parking at the hotel, so we used a public lot. Other cars blocked us in, and we had to wait six hours before their owners returned. The hostess, who looked about 45, seemed arrogant. She agreed to call the owners, but spoke to them in Spanish, so we couldn’t understand. She said they were skiing and would come back when they came back. It turned out she hadn’t told them we were waiting to get out, only asked when they’d return. It was a bad experience, especially since I’d injured my knee a couple of days earlier and could only sit and wait the whole time.