Hôtel Christiania

Christiania was a big part of a beautiful holiday in Val D'Isere. The room was nice, the food delicious, and it’s very close to the gondola and ski lifts. The staff were exceptional, friendly and attentive, always finding ways to help and make our stay comfortable and special. One of my favourite hotels. They deserve 5 stars, and I’d give the staff 6 if I could!

The service and staff were excellent, but I’m warning people that this hotel is nowhere near 5 stars. The worst issue was the nightclub opposite. Music was seriously loud until 5am and we couldn’t sleep, even with two sets of doors and a shutter. We complained, but the only person working overnight was a cleaner, who essentially said nothing could be done and it wasn’t the hotel’s fault. We lost several hours of early morning skiing because of the noise. If you value sleep, stay elsewhere. There were also basic amenities missing: no room fridge or minibar, no hot drink facilities (room service coffee was available on request, but we’d have to pay), and no iron. They wouldn’t provide one and suggested paying per item for the ironing service instead. The lighting was too dim for evening makeup, especially in the bathroom. The spa had no jacuzzi, and the gym was just a couple of running machines. In the UK or the US, I’d put the room alone closer to 2 stars. But the nightclub is so serious a problem that I’m giving it 1 star as a warning.

I was here as part of a project and didn’t sleep in the rooms, though I did see them. The location is perfect for getting to the slopes or the city’s main attractions, and the buffet has the quality and variety you need to recharge with some excellent food. What really stood out was the service. Concierge Nicholas always had a kind word and such impeccable manners that he made you feel like a true lord. At the bar, Elisa could find the perfect drink, and her knowledge and passion made the experience memorable. Thanks for introducing me to the "italian long island" and "mezcal old fashioned". Paul, the maitre, made sure we had a great time at the restaurant, suggesting the right wine and food pairing and making time for a nice chat. I really enjoyed coming here, especially on Friday nights, when an exquisite couple would delight the evening with beautiful songs. Hope to see you again soon, Hotel Christiania!

We expected February to be peak season, but it was very quiet here. From the hotel it’s about a three-minute walk to the main ski lifts and nursery slopes, and shops, restaurants, grocery stores, apres ski bars and clubs are all within walking distance. Free valet parking was a nice bonus. The buffet breakfast had a decent choice of hot and continental food. There’s also a lovely spa with a sauna, steam room and pool for an evening soak. Service was second to none, with a really helpful concierge front desk team offering restaurant and ski hire suggestions, sorting out our passes and sharing general tips. Our room was clean and spacious, with a massive bed and nice balcony views, though the decor was a little dated.