Vallorcine Balme 01 ski in ski out

The view of the mountains and the river nearby made for a really peaceful stay. We had a good week skiing around Vallorcine and Chamonix, and the apartment was comfortable, well equipped and had plenty of towels and spare pillows. There was a small outdoor table and chairs, plus a dining table, sofa and TV inside. It could have been cleaner, though. The pool and spa were clean and enjoyable. I didn't use the gym, but it was small and well equipped, with even a half climbing wall for children. Outside, there's a small ice rink and a bar or cafe. The gondola is only a three minute walk away, which was handy with all our ski gear. The train station is close too, and buses seem like an option. We skied in Vallorcine, Argentierre and Chamonix on different days. The train was easy and not too slow, runs every half hour, and travel between some towns is free if you've booked skiing. One thing to know before booking: I couldn't find any food shops in Vallorcine, so I had to take the train 20 minutes to a nearby town for groceries. It would be helpful if this were mentioned online. The photos showed coffee, but there wasn't any in our kitchen, and basics like salt, pepper and cooking oil were missing too. No biggie, but good to know. The main hassle was arriving to find nobody at reception, so we couldn't get into the building. We called Heidi, the booking provider, to get access and the code for the building and our apartment's key safe. There was no Wi-Fi information either, so we had to contact Heidi again for the password. Still, we were pleased with the stay and thought it was good value.

The mattresses and pillows were poor quality, and we had sleepless nights. That really took away from the stay at La Residence, even though the rooms are laid out well. It's a modern apart-hotel that works well for families with young children. The ski lift is nearby, serving a breathtaking run more than 2800m above ground. Staff are polite and helpful, and there's good stuff for kids. Just keep in mind that regular hotel services like room service and housekeeping may be missing. Free videos on demand were a nice bonus.

The staff were kind and helpful, and the pool was excellent. It's also very close to the ski station and train. The location is ideal, near the Swiss and Italian borders and Chamonix.

We'd love to visit again. Monic at reception was so helpful, and we were delighted with the spacious, comfortable apartment and its traditional French style. The views were amazing, and it felt tucked away from the busy tourist area. Great for families, and I loved hearing the birds and rushing river.