Hostellerie du paradis

Breakfast had lots of choice and was really good, and dinner was tasty with generous portions. The staff were helpful throughout, even though not everyone spoke much English; we managed to understand each other just fine. I’d read complaints about an unfriendly woman at reception, but everyone we met was friendly and greeted us with a smile. I can’t say who those reviews meant, and I’m not accusing anyone of making things up. Our room was great, the bed comfortable, and we each had our own bathroom. There’s also a lounge with a pool table and free Wi-Fi that worked well. We had a nice stay and would come back.

With much of the valley closed in the off-season, in early November, I was glad to be welcomed here. The food was really delicious, the prices reasonable, and the service top notch. I can wholeheartedly recommend staying here if you're hoping to summit Gran Paradiso.

We had no car and were hiking Alta Via 2, so with this as the only place open nearby, we didn't have much choice. The woman, who I think was the owner's daughter, seemed to dislike us from the start and was very unfriendly. We were pushed toward a 25 euro set menu, while the menu itself was only in Italian and felt overpriced. There were lots of waiters watching us struggle to understand it. Other huts in the area, even those reached only by donkey, offer full board for 47 euros and a friendly welcome, so this seemed severely overpriced by comparison. You also have to ask for everything: nobody mentioned the Wi-Fi, the lowest fare, the pool described online, or the option to order à la carte. We only found out about the pool after leaving. The Wi-Fi was poor, too. If you're the only accommodation open along a major hiking route, you should make more effort for hikers, foreigners, and people on a budget. The menu seems aimed at wealthy Italians with cars; if that's the clientele you want, this hotel belongs somewhere else.

The food was poor in both flavor and portion size compared with other places nearby, and what you pay feels far too high for what you get. The staff were very unfriendly and treated people unpleasantly. I wouldn't recommend coming here.