Vacanceole - Les Hauts de la Drayre

The apartments were lovely, clean, modern, and had good facilities. The spa and pool were clean and nice, though the hot tub was stone cold and the pool was chilly too. Getting to the ski lifts meant going down four steep sets of stairs or escalators, and they were quite a way off, which is a pain with all your ski gear. It's also far from Alpe d'Huez, so the ski day gets cut short. We had a good stay, but the lift location means I wouldn't come back.

In winter, with temperatures at -9°C, we couldn't stay without proper heating, and getting that sorted after we arrived was the worst part. We'd called several times beforehand to make sure we could get the keys because we were arriving at 20h, but the staff didn't take it into account or try to help once we asked about the heating. The room wasn't clean when we arrived either. Only a few rooms have nice views; the rest have no view, so keep your expectations in check. The spa is very small and has to be booked in advance. We could only reserve it for one day during our week, even though access had been promised. The service wasn't nice.

Four days before we were due to leave, Crystal ski called to say our holiday couldn't go ahead as booked because the resort accommodation was overbooked. We were meant to travel that Saturday. There were no suitable alternatives in the same resort, so we had to cancel altogether. My brother and father were booked to stay there with us for Christmas too, and now the family won't be together over the holiday. I booked through Crystal specifically because my son has special needs and I had requested special assistance. In-resort help from a representative was another key reason I chose Crystal Ski. This has caused our family a lot of distress, and I'm deeply upset with how it has been handled. Since the first call, I've been passed between people on the phone with no clear solution, so I'm raising it publicly. I'm a full-time special needs teacher and booked months ahead, knowing how challenging this time of year can be for our family. My children's Christmas plans have been completely ruined. I feel Crystal Ski has a responsibility to put this right, and I'm seeking full compensation and a meaningful response.

It's an easy walk to the slopes, though allow at least 10 minutes. The escalators help you avoid carrying your ski equipment. The only practical issue was the lack of drop-off and pick-up spaces outside the residence, which made unloading luggage harder before parking in the large underground garages. The staff were a real highlight, always smiling, dedicated, flexible, and ready to help. The modern, comfortable apartment was fully equipped, and the residence itself was new, well kept, and in a great spot with stunning mountain views. The spa was enjoyable and thoughtfully set up, though the jacuzzi could be a little warmer. The gaming room was excellent, and it was a nice touch to have free tea and coffee at reception. I'd highly recommend it and will definitely come back.