Hotel Le Coucou Méribel

The décor is beautiful and the location is good, but at over €3,000 a night at Christmas, we expected more considerate service. Room service was average, and after glass broke on the bathroom floor, nobody cleaned it up, even after we picked up the pieces ourselves. Our room was over the loading bay, where engines roared at random until 10:30pm and started again at 6:20am every day. The concierges were mostly unhelpful: slow to respond, often saying no, and it took 3.5 days to book dinner in the hotel's own restaurant. The wait staff were generally nice but young and forgetful, sometimes brusque and very inconsistent, like a busy Parisian brasserie. The ski shop staff were amazing, though they don't work for the hotel, which might explain the difference.

The service was so accommodating, and you can't beat the mountain location. There's a great choice of restaurants on site, plus live music and après-ski within walking distance, with amazing views all around. This was my second stay, and I'll definitely come back.

The food was a letdown in both appearance and taste, especially at fine-dining prices. I came to Le Coucou for New Year's Eve hoping for a special night, but it felt more like an expensive practical joke. The whole evening was bad from beginning to end, and my one firm resolution was not to return.

We spent four nights skiing and celebrating my husband's 40th birthday, and the chalet we were given had stunning views of the mountains and lifts. The thoughtful design and beautiful details made the hotel feel special, and the indoor-outdoor pool, sauna, and steam room were perfect after a day on the slopes. We ate at the hotel twice, and both meals were delicious. The ski room team knew their stuff and were incredibly helpful. Having warm boots ready for you each morning was such a treat. Everyone we met was kind, attentive, and ready to help. Every part of the stay exceeded our expectations, and I can't wait to come back. A solid 10/10.