Hotel Les Clarines

We had five people in our group and found the rooms clean, warm and comfortable, with a nice balcony. There were two showers but only one toilet. The layout had a double bed, a bunk bed and a sofa bed. We didn't feel cramped, though I suppose it depends how much time you spend in the room. It's well placed for bars, restaurants and shops. The walk to the slopes, just under 10 minutes to the Jandri 3 gondola, was manageable, though the hill out front is pretty brutal in ski boots after a day on the slopes. The Super Vénosc nearby wasn't running when we visited. Ski lockers were easy to reach by the hotel's lift and spacious, though the locker room itself was cramped. The kitchen was clean and had lots of utensils, but there were no tea bags or pantry basics. We were given just one toilet roll, so we had to buy more. Reception staff were friendly and helpful, though we didn't need much from them, and we got our deposit back without trouble. Check-in took two hours, and more communication would have helped. Once it was our turn, the process was smooth, so I suspect the delays were more down to the people checking in than reception staff. We didn't use the pool or spa, so can't comment on those. I'd recommend the place if you're okay walking back to the lockers with your ski gear. We were there for the Rise festival and had no real problems.

The kitchen was the one good part: it's well equipped. Everything else made for a disappointing stay. Although advertised for six, the apartment is so cramped you can barely open a suitcase. Four people might fit comfortably, but with two sleeping in the living room it's very crowded. The wellness area was freezing, including the relaxation room, outdoor pool and sauna. Cold air came in through the gap under the sauna door, so it never warmed up properly. We reported the issue, but nothing changed. The boot dryer in our ski locker also didn't work. We told reception three times and they did nothing. The locker was too small for six pairs of skis. With the lack of space, cold spa and unresponsive service, I can't recommend it.

We got a decent price, luckily, because I definitely wouldn't pay full price. The €400 deposit wasn't mentioned when booking, and it feels like they charge you for everything. I understand keeping the room clean, but if you don't clean it fully, they take money from your deposit. They provide nothing to clean with except a vacuum that has more suction than a can of Coke, and one really poor quality toilet roll that runs out quickly. A replacement costs €1. It's not that a euro is unaffordable, but toilet paper is a basic necessity. The staff weren't especially helpful, despite being paid by guests, and this definitely isn't four star. Yes, there's a sauna and pool, but that's not what I came for. The one good thing is that Polar Bear bar is two minutes away and much better than the hotel bar. Maybe this place suits someone else, but I wanted to give a heads-up. Rant over, I'm going home, and I won't be back. Otherwise, we had a great holiday in Les Deux Alpes.

The apartments are modern and well furnished, and the price was good. I'd stay again, and it looks like a good fit for families during school holidays. There are equipment lockers in the basement, next to a rental shop. Although it's listed as ski in, ski out, the nearby Vallee Blanch is a small, low altitude mountain, so there may not be much snow early in the season. Plan on walking 500 m to the main mountain each day. The pool is kept at 28°C, too cold for most people, so the sauna and steam rooms are always packed. Don't count on using those facilities. At least there are baths in the apartments.