Derby Village

The garden was a real treat, with a big lawn, loungers and a furnished terrace. I stayed five nights in one of the charming units, full of wood and beautiful finishes. The kitchen looked great but was short on equipment. There weren't any kitchen knives, so cooking with only table knives was a struggle and we had to make do. We also missed having a moka pot. Bring your own if you want one, since the stovetop is induction. Derby is peaceful and very pleasant, and I'd recommend it.

Derby Village is an apartment complex in Derby, though some reviewers seem to have taken the name to mean the town itself. The location worked well for us, roughly between Aosta and Courmayeur, with access to Val Veny, Val Ferret, Valgrisenche, Val di Rhêmes and, a bit farther out, Valsavarenche. The apartment had some drawbacks: no big pot for pasta, a tiny stove, a small fridge and no freezer. Both bedrooms faced the street, so passing traffic was pretty loud. At least the TV was really large.

Derby, a hamlet of La Salle, makes a handy base for exploring the Valley even without a car. It's about halfway between Aosta and Courmayeur, with buses every hour. The trip takes 24 minutes to Courmayeur and 56 minutes to Aosta, and the buses were clean and on time. During the pandemic, I especially appreciated that tickets were free. The village is worth a detour: its flower-filled streets are clean and lovely to walk around, and don't miss the CHURCH. I also recommend the route past the RIDING STABLE to the LENTENEY WATERFALL, where it meets the Dora Baltea River. For an aperitif, stop at the restaurant next door and try the local cured meat platter and Arnad lard, which melts in your mouth. They have rooms too if you're tired. Long live the Aosta Valley!

Families with kids should find it a good fit. The rooms are nicely equipped, and there's a big grassy yard. In summer, the location works well for walks around the area and into France; in winter, it's good for skiing. There's a bus stop right in front of the hotel that takes you to the slopes.