MGM Hôtels & Résidences – Résidence Manaka

The location is great, close to the slopes, and the rooms are comfortable and warm, with fantastic views. The staff are lovely, too. The hotel is beautiful, though a few finishing details need attention, including broken tiles outside and rubbish bags near the swimming pool. Once those are dealt with, it should be perfect. The ski-in/ski-out access definitely isn’t for beginners.

A welcome leaflet in each room would have been useful, with things like the WiFi password, bar hours, bakery menu and ordering details, thermostat instructions, spa information, door codes, and other essentials. Apart from that, we had a really comfortable stay at the Manaka Residence. The apartment was clean and elegantly decorated, with comfortable beds and pillows and a kitchen stocked with what we needed. Staff were friendly and attentive, the lounge was a nice place to unwind, and our soundproofed room stayed peaceful. We’ll definitely come back.

The staff were all friendly and helpful, and we found the apartment modern and comfortable, with a well-equipped kitchen, a nice lounge, comfortable beds, and modern, high-quality bathrooms. WiFi was free, fast, and reliable. There was a smell from the shower drain, so the cleaners should use bleach between guests. The extractor fans could also be better, since the bathrooms and separate toilet have no windows. Manaka is new for 2023/2024, and the building feels high quality, from its materials and fittings to the ski locker room and pool/spa equipment. A few things still need finishing: some handles are fitted poorly, some doors don’t shut properly, and outside trim is missing. None of that affected our stay, and I expect it’ll be sorted once the construction team is done. The gym has the usual new equipment, but its air conditioning was broken, making it too hot at 24C for a long workout. Someone was trying to repair it. The pool is a decent size, with a separate baby pool and views of the mountains and piste. The jacuzzi has good jets, and the sauna and steam room/hamman are a nice size. The lounge bar has lovely views over the Jean Marie piste and mountains. They have entertainment once a week. During our stay, 9-16 March 2024, there was a concert pianist. The location is at the back, or downslope side, of La Plagne centre. It’s an easy walk to the shops, restaurants, and major lifts if needed. Ski access is via the Jean Marie blue run, which leads to the Melezes lift into Plagne Centre and the Plagne 1800 lift to 1800 and onwards to Aime 2000. Jean Marie is a fairly steep blue, so beginners should bear that in mind. It’s a nice, modern place to stay, and should be perfect once the remaining teething problems are fixed.

I’d like room sales to include floor plans showing where each room sits in the building and how it relates to the town, so guests can better understand the views and avoid misunderstandings. Snow clearing staff should also avoid throwing snow onto guests’ cars, and the bathroom pipes should be fitted properly so they don’t drip. Thanks to the central department team for their help with the booking. Although there are still a few unfinished details, it’s clear there’s a real effort to make the hotel the best it can be. Special thanks to Vanessa, the hotel manager, for her support and good management. I first saw the MGM brand in Chamonix in 1996. Given what I’d heard and expected before this visit, I wasn’t disappointed with our stay.