Hotel Banchetta

The lounge was a lovely place to sit with the family and talk through the day on the slopes, with plenty of comfortable seating for a group. The rooms were basic but comfortable, and the staff were so charming and willing to help. Luc, the son, can arrange ski guiding and lessons. We nearly changed our minds after reading a few reviews, but I’m glad we booked. It suited our family get-together perfectly. Dinner was excellent, four courses with a choice each evening. The vegetarian option was a little limited, though my daughter still had enough to eat. We’d definitely return.

Getting to the lifts was easy, about a seven minute walk, and the hotel itself has a relaxed, welcoming feel. It’s outside the main Sestrierre area, though, so there aren’t many bars or restaurants nearby. We spent our evenings at the hotel bar, where drinks were reasonably priced and there were games to play. The sauna was easy to book, with a small extra charge. Our room was dated, but clean, comfortable and functional, with plenty of alpine charm. The staff were genuinely friendly. Breakfast had great coffee and lots of options, and dinner was tasty and varied, with several courses and sensible portions. We had a brilliant stay, thanks to the skiing, the staff and the hotel’s character.

We were there over New Year, and the hotel put on a fantastic seven-course dinner that evening. Room 18 had lovely mountain views, and the lounge was full of soft sofas and comfortable chairs. It was a nice place for an Aperol spritz with other guests before dinner, with a friendly atmosphere throughout. It’s a family-run hotel, and the owners and staff were all warm and helpful. They also gave us good tips about the area. The rooms are simple but comfortable.

The food was awful, greasy and with no choice. At best, I’d call it gruel. Hot water was another problem: I had to leave the hot tap and shower running for 30 minutes before it warmed up, and even then it was only a trickle. That wasn’t enough to warm up after a full day skiing. The owners’ advice was to use the extra blanket room, but the whole hotel felt cold. When I and the rep raised those three issues, the owners didn’t speak to me for days. I was travelling alone, which made that especially disappointing. On the plus side, the hotel was clean and well placed for quiet skiing. Be warned, though, there are no other shops, bars or restaurants in the area.