Altapura Hôtel & Spa Val Thorens

The restaurant was as good as ever, with amazing food and lots of choice, and the ski instructors were friendly and very knowledgeable. But the room and service left a lot to be desired. This was our fourth stay, and the hotel’s quality and service have really gone downhill since our last visit. We’d always been impressed before. Our corridor carpet was filthy, and it smelled of boiled cabbage or something worse. Staff used some kind of carpet freshener later in the week, but the smell lingered. The room’s electrics kept flickering, and it seemed as though the room hadn’t been used for a while. We may have been moved there at the last minute: when we arrived at 7pm, reception had to check whether it was ready. Someone else’s invitation to a cocktail evening was left in the room, and our luggage took about two hours to arrive because the labels we were given had a different room number, so it went there first.

The hotel has a relaxing, stylish feel, an ideal ski-in, ski-out location, and excellent amenities, especially the pool, spa, and gym. Rooms were clean, modern, and comfortable, and the check-in and breakfast staff were friendly. But service problems had a serious impact on our stay. One time, our room had no towels. We called to ask for some, but none came, and when we went to the front desk, staff couldn’t provide any then either. After three phone calls, towels finally arrived about 90 minutes later. It was frustrating and disruptive at a hotel of this caliber. More seriously, my AirPods disappeared from the luggage storage room during our stay. I noticed on the way to the airport, reported it straight away to the front desk, and asked for help and access to any available security footage. I was told I’d get a call back, but nobody followed up, and there was no indication that an investigation had begun. The lack of action or accountability over what I reported as theft from my luggage was deeply disappointing. I appreciated the rooms, facilities, and friendliness of some staff, but the slow response, security concerns, and management’s failure to follow through left a sour note. I’m hesitant to recommend the property without reservation.

Our 10 nights at Altapura were amazing. Every staff member was friendly and welcoming, and we were very pleased with the service. Special thanks to Mehdi from the hotel shuttle for driving us around town and giving us great restaurant recommendations. We had a great time thanks to him, and hope to be back soon!

The hotel is stylish and enjoyable, and it could become a truly exceptional place with some changes to dining, atmosphere, and staff responsiveness. The half-board arrangement was confusing and didn’t feel fully inclusive because extras cost more. The buffet wasn’t enough, and meals lacked variety. More salads, better portions, and a Club Med–style dinner setup would help. The bar menu needs more food options too. As things stand, I wouldn’t recommend lunch or dinner. The terrace felt lifeless and unappealing. Music, activities, or something else to bring it to life could make it more attractive. The pool wasn’t warm, and staff didn’t handle a broken lamp appropriately.