Hôtel Le Levanna by Les Etincelles

We ate at the restaurant every night and enjoyed it, and the rooms were excellent, with balconies looking out over the slopes. Our kids could ski back in by themselves. The wellness facilities were decent too, with a very hot sauna, steam room and a big jacuzzi/spa. The location is unbeatable, beside the Toviere cable car, lift office and ski rental shops. The bar was the one weak spot: table service could be slow and unresponsive, and sometimes we waited 20 minutes after reminding staff we were still waiting. Still, it’s a thoroughly good hotel for Tignes Le Lac, and we’d come again.

We were looking forward to staying at Hôtel Le Levanna after several people recommended it. We booked five nights months ahead for over $2,500. Then an exceptional run of events made travel impossible: a serious ski accident that needed surgery, followed by our country’s airport closing and our Air France flight being cancelled. We provided medical documents and explained what had happened, but the hotel wouldn’t offer any flexibility. We understood that the non-refundable rate meant there might be no refund. What disappointed us was that they also categorically refused even to move the dates. Other hotels we’d booked for the same trip immediately offered to turn reservations into credit for a later stay. Hôtel Le Levanna took a different approach. Its replies just repeated the terms and conditions, with no attempt at a reasonable solution or empathy for the circumstances. For a hotel presenting itself as a high-end mountain property, the customer care was extremely disappointing. Hospitality is about more than rooms and views, and this experience left us with a very negative impression.

The hotel team made our stay as good as the skiing, with great service throughout. We chose Le Levanna for its location, and it delivered: the main lifts are just steps from the ski lockers, giving easy access to several trails each day. Breakfast had what we needed, though it wasn’t extensive. Dinner was good, and other good restaurants were within a five-minute walk. When we come back, we won’t consider staying anywhere else.

The staff were genuinely friendly and went the extra distance, and there’s someone at the front desk 24x7. The bar is worth a stop too, with excellent drink choices and a great barman. The hot tub, steam room and sauna were all great. The hotel is right on the slopes, with easy access to nearby lifts. Rooms are sizeable and nicely appointed. Breakfast is buffet style, with plenty of the usual continental choices and some cooked food. Dinner was really tasty and well prepared.