Maison De Vacances Rododendro

We struggled with how cramped the room was, especially once the folding beds were open. There just isn’t enough space for six people. The bunk bed was old and almost falling apart, while the folding beds were really uncomfortable. None of the beds had been made up when we arrived, so we had to open the folding beds and put on all the sheets ourselves. There was only one electric heater, which wasn’t enough for the room, and the equipment in general was old and unreliable. The bathroom was uncomfortable to use. Its door was hard to close, and water kept leaking out onto the floor. The exhaust vent was very dirty and clearly hadn’t been looked after. Getting there was also a problem: hardly any taxi drivers knew the location, and after getting off the bus we still had a five-minute walk. That was miserable in ski boots while carrying skis. The only thing nearby was Pista 13.

We’re staying here with my girlfriend’s family, and the setting is enchanting. The residence sits among greenery, with a fairly large car park right outside the entrance. Many apartments belong to families who rent them out by the season. From the wooden terrace you can see all the way to the top of Mount Cervino, when there’s no fog. The apartments feel a little dated, and none are over 50 square metres. It seems well suited to older couples wanting a few quiet days in the pristine Aosta Valley. Two paths lead from the residence to Breuil, one paved and one dirt. The village is charming and has a huge golf course, several ski slopes, and plenty of clubs, bars, and restaurants.

The only real plus is how close it is to the centre and ski lifts. The building itself looks like a hotel from The Shining, and it’s old and dirty, with carpet and walls that look like they’ve been there since the ’70s. The apartments are ugly and much smaller than the photos suggest. The bunk-bed room is a claustrophobic little hovel. The sofa bed doesn’t pull out: it’s two narrow single beds at right angles, with one person’s feet in the other’s face. You can’t really put the sheets on, so you just fold them over. A shower without getting your hair wet is a challenge, and the hot water runs out fast. You’re expected to leave the place clean at the end, too. Be careful with the final bill and check the numbers. And if it snows, the streets might not be cleared for a couple of days. They’re uphill and full of potholes.

The property was neglected, with floor plans that seemed made up and no land registry references. The same place had different dates and rates on online booking sites. Two years ago, we came across two private hosts for the same property: one advertised pairs of vacation rentals for sale, while the other offered rentals for different periods. They were rude as well. The hosts deserve heartfelt kudos for their imagination, but their professionalism was lacking. Listings, and especially the hosts, need much closer scrutiny.