Grand Hotel Sestriere

We weren’t guests, but we did enjoy the spa here. The front desk helped us sort out the complicated bus situation, then we had an unexpected treat at the bar. While we waited for the bus out of the snow, Alberto and Paolo looked after us with made-from-scratch mocktails to try, delicious snacks, and plenty of laughs. They were sweet, funny, and completely professional hosts. A really lovely end to a great spa visit.

Hard to give a fully objective review, but we had a good group holiday. The location worked well, with other bars nearby and a short walk to the slopes, and we managed to park right outside. Check-in was easy. The ski room felt cramped and could use more space, and there were no boot dryers, so after dinner we brought our dripping boots to our room. Our room was basic, tired, and cold until I bled the radiators and shut the windows properly. There was plenty of food and it was generally good, though often only lukewarm at best. Breakfast was meant to run from 7.30 to 10am, but the omelette egg station was often empty by 8.45, so we had to chase a waiter. Omar was our go-to coffee man, and Ibra kept us entertained. The bar itself was nice but cold. The annex beside it was tired, with lots of broken, mismatched chairs, and service at the bar could be slow. I like a bit of wellness, but I hadn’t realized the advertised spa cost €25 per person for two hours. Given all that, I’d compare prices at other hotels before choosing this one.

We came as a group of 15, and the staff were fantastic, always helpful and smiling. Ibra and Omar were especially memorable. The rooms were spacious and comfortable, with good beds, and we could adjust the temperature to keep them warm. Both breakfast and dinner were very good. I hadn’t expected the afternoon tea, coffee, and cakes either, which were a welcome extra. Thanks for a great stay.

The spa was the letdown for us. The shower was broken, one sauna wasn’t working, and both the indoor pool and outdoor tub were lukewarm. We went once and didn’t bother returning. Everything else was great: the food was the best I’ve had in a hotel, and the staff were kind and friendly. They even gave me a bottle on the house for my BTH, thank you! We enjoyed live music every evening, and the shuttle ski bus came in handy. The hotel service overall was really good.