B&B Balançon Mountain Lodge

The only things that didn't quite work for me were the open wardrobe, since I don't like seeing clothes piled up, and the old-fashioned TV signal, which often cut out. A smart TV would be better. There's no outdoor space, but the room faces the street, so there wouldn't really be room for a table or bench anyway. Just across the street, though, there's a public covered area with wooden tables and benches. Parking is easy, in reserved spaces in a garage about 50 meters from the B&B. The room is listed on Booking.com as a triple B&B room, but it's actually a cute, cozy studio with everything needed for a short stay, including meals in. Breakfast comes with the B&B, too. Each morning a staff member leaves croissants and bread outside the door, and the fridge has yogurt, juice, milk, and cold cuts. There are toast, cereal, single-serve Nutella and jam, plus a coffee machine with Illy pods, kettle, microwave, induction stovetop with cookware and dishes, and dishwasher. The room is tidied daily and breakfast supplies are topped up for the next morning. I appreciated having a bathrobe as well as the usual bath towel. The bathroom dispensers were a nice touch, large ones for shower shampoo, body lotion, intimate cleanser, and hand soap instead of those annoying little sachets.

The owners also run Alpe Gorza restaurant, which we recommend if you want to try Valle d'Aosta cooking. Back at the room, each morning we found a hanging basket outside the door with fresh bread and croissants. The room was spotless, and the bathroom was carefully kept, with quality Dr. Nicola's products. It had all the comforts, including an induction stovetop, dishwasher, and coffee machine with Illy pods. The fridge was stocked with tasty Panizzi yogurts, orange juice, Valle d'Aosta milk, and cold cuts for anyone who prefers savory food. We'd gladly repeat the experience.

There were four of us, including two children, and the apartment was very well cared for. It's right in the town center, close to the cable car, ski school, and ski rental, so you can head out in your ski boots. The owner was kind and helpful. We had dinner at the owner's restaurant and rode there on a snowmobile, which we highly recommend. The apartment had a kettle, coffee maker, juicer, and dishwasher. The fridge was always stocked with milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, and cured meats, and there were oranges, tea, herbal teas, and chocolates too. The bathroom had a hairdryer, bathrobes, and all the basics, including shower gel, shampoo, and body lotion suitable for children. Each morning, a basket appeared outside the door with croissants, fresh bread, homemade cake, and a newspaper. We Genoese got a nineteenth-century newspaper!

Every morning they brought us a different breakfast, and the fridge was kept full of milk, cold cuts, cheese, and yogurt. The location is great, and the staff are friendly and helpful. The apartment is small but has all the comforts, from a microwave and dishwasher to a kettle and coffee machine with pods. The bathroom was lovely for unwinding after a day in the snow. We'll be back!