Vacancéole - Le Borsat IV

The staff made a good impression. The woman at reception was welcoming, friendly, and happy to answer questions, despite the complaints I’d read beforehand. The place itself feels more like a hostel than a luxury hotel, with old, plain reception areas and corridors. That didn’t bother me since I was there to ski. Its biggest advantage is the location by the Tufs chairlift. From the ski lockers you can put your skis on straight away and take Tufs, or ski through town to the Grand Motte valley station. Val Claret was also easy to find. We could pull up outside briefly to unload, though the underground parking I’d booked was a five-minute walk away and cost about 85 euros for the week. The room was clean, including the bathroom, though the windows had some dirt on them. The furniture looked worn enough to fall apart, but the room was quiet at night. The only regular noise was the snow cats grooming the runs at 9:30pm. The AC worked well and the room never got cold. There was an old notice about cleaning that still mentioned filling in a questionnaire, which is no longer needed. I shared the room with my brother. It was big enough for two, though far too small for the advertised four. I liked that a sliding wall could divide it in two. We paid 1850 euros for six days, and things like cleaning, towels, and bed linen cost extra. We chose no cleaning and brought our own bedding. We did our best to clean before leaving at 8:30am, and the 300 euro deposit came back in full a week later. Arrival was less convenient. I drove on Saturday and hit severe traffic from Albertville to Moutiers, so I’d avoid arriving that day. Check-in ran from 5 to 7pm, or 5 to 8pm on Saturday, which felt like a short window. It was a satisfactory stay, especially for a trip focused on skiing. The room was reasonably comfortable and the staff and service were good, but the extra charges add up and much of the property looks worn.

A thoroughly unpleasant stay. The rooms were horrible and dirty, and the beds were horrible too. Staff were extremely rude, and when we arrived they added three charges we had to pay. I’d save your money and stay elsewhere.

The staff were kind and helpful, and the hotel is only a few metres from the ski lift. But the heating is fixed at 22°C, which might suit an office where you’re fully dressed, not a place to relax after skiing all day. The old wooden windows let in a cold draft, so you’ll want a hat if you sit or lie near them. It’s a shame, because the hotel has so much potential.

You can ski straight in and out here, and the lift is less than a minute away. That location is the best part. The rooms could be better, and there’s some mould, but you get what you pay for. It has the basic amenities, though no oven. Reception doesn’t open until 4, which means waiting around if you have an early flight. It’s okay if you’re not planning to spend much time indoors. The location is great for people in their twenties looking for budget ski accommodation.