Hannah & Colette Chalet Hotel

4 readers found this review helpful

Holiday duration: 7 nights Cost: £700 per person Location: La Plagne 1800
This was a catered chalet holiday over the New Year period 2007/8.
Firstly the chalet was VERY shabby; torn sofas, TV not working, not enough glasses to have water and wine together at dinner, and the shower was a poor excuse for a dribble. Not to mention that when you ski/snowboard a bath is almost essential (especially if your over 35!). There was no bath in the whole chalet.
The room was so small I couldn't stand upright apart from when I stood in the doorway (I’m only 5ft 8in as well), and the double room was two single beds pushed together with single bed clothes made up as single beds. Not ideal if you are holidaying with your partner. The room was less that 3m x 3m, no wardrobe, no hanging facilities, and no chest of drawers. 2 adults, no clothes storage at all = unhappy living, especially when you're tired on a sports holiday. You are constantly tripping over stuff, and putting wet ski clothes on the bed, mainly because there was only 2 hanging hooks in the room.
The food was basic to say the least, although it was tasty on 2 of the 6 catered days, the 7th day is the chalet hosts day off, why he needs this, or why Crystal can't supply cover is a mystery, taking into account you are paying for full board. The kitchen was filthy, one evening we decided to have a late snack, and what we found in the back of the cupboards we looked in need not be mentioned. Suffice to say it was verging on the illegal, a definite breach of basic hygiene codes.
La Plagne is definitely geared up for skiers, short runs, dangerous choke points near lifts, blatant disregard for ski run code (if you have skied before you will understand the look before you go, and people behind take responsibility for traffic on the slopes etc. etc. rules) Forget it in La Plagne. It’s a messy free for all, and honestly dangerous. I have not skied in Europe for 5 years, and I don't think I will ever ski in France again.
The resort itself is well spread out, and scenic, there are 2 bars in 1800, only go at happy hour otherwise take a credit card, 2 Guinness, 2 large beers, 1 whisky & soda and 1 Malibu and coke = 35 Euros, that about £32. Food is reasonably priced, but quite basic as well, but a welcome change from the chalet catering.
On a positive note the chalet host was a gem, he knew it was sub par but did the best he could for the 7days we were there, he made a cake every day, and left bread and cheese etc for afternoon snacks, however letting it slip that his budget was 35 Euros per person per week was not the best idea considering that we paid £700 a week the pleasure of being there. He was friendly and helpful.
In all cases your holiday is what you make it, we had a great time, and mainly because once you get there you can't do anything about it until after you get back, so why make it any worse? I will never take a catered chalet from Crystal again, I feel abused in all directions. In case you were interested the same chalet 2 weeks later is £199. It was nearly worth that.
Sorry Crystal you have lost a customer, and to be honest if you think that’s a good ski holiday option you really to suck at the ski leisure industry! Let the pros handle it, there is no room for amateurs at that price!