Club Hotel Le Totem

We had heard bad reports on this hotel mainly to do with the food and restuarnt, so was suprised when everything considered being 3 star the food although not quite hot enough on occasions was really quite good. Crystal should train staff who work in the kitchens and not just throw in at the deep end and hope for the best.
The staff were helpfull and tried their best, but my gut feeling after a few days that this was a holiday camp for some not all of the Crystal staff, some lacked proffesionalism when their shift over and it's party time, and cusotmers what customers !!!. Respect for customers is of prime consideration. If they want to party be more discrete.
It all started for me with a member of the bar staff played bongo drums for his own pleasure and certainly not anyone else's for over one and half hours, not even in time to the music being played. Totally selfish. This was on a day when the hotel was full with guests as it rained, so no skiing for most people. It drove me and many around mad, but we were too polite to complain. The guy on the bongo drums just happened to be the son of the manager, even more annoying.
The hotel is in an ideal location with wonderful skiing and ideal for families and youngsters. rooms basic but fine overhaul. the holiday was wonderful, just needs time spent with staff and training on behavours of some not all.

having read previous reviews of this hotel i was a bit nervous about our holiday. when we arrived and discovered the location with regards to the skiing/boarding we were over the moon.The rooms were a little basic but who ever gets luxury for 3 star. the staff were excellent and very cooperative. The bar was well stocked and a nice place to sit. plenty of comfy couches to rest our weary bones. there were a lot of children in the hotel but for us as a couple did not put any damper on it at all as they had an early sitting for the children. the dining experiance was a little bit chaotic as we had to change a couple of times to accomodate groups,but this did not affect us as it was nice to chat to various people not just the same every night. food was average and not always prompt but who is in a hurry on holiday. happy hours in the bar and well worth buying a voucher for 10 drinks! much cheaper! if you can manage to do the snow shoe walk combined with the 3 course meal make sure you do. no one else in the hotel did this activity and we were absolutely delighted by it. the view from the top of the valley was exquisite, although this activity is not for the unfit. overall we thouroughly enjoyed our holiday and there is some excellent skiing/boarding in flaine i am level 3 boarder and my wife level 3 skiier and we both found some very good reds and even some off piste.

Having read previous reviews we were expecting a Fawlty Towers experience and arrived with pretty low expectations. We were greeted upon arrival by the manager (who was drafted in in Jan to sort the problems caused by the pevious manager). She was highly visible and approachable throughout our stay and was happy to listen to any problems/feedback we had. The rooms were okay and clean. The hotel is not running at 100% yet but give it a few months and we have no doubt it will justify the price we paid to stay during half term. The staff were pleasant, the childcare excellent, the rep helpful and friendly,but the food, alas, let the whole experience down. The food the children were given was, frankly, bordering on the disgusting! The adult food was okay with large enough portions but we had two very poor meals and chose not to eat another and paid 30 euros to have steak. A word on the skiing - Flaine is a mecca for young, dumb 18-25 year old skiers, borders, bladers who think nothing of straight lining blues and greens with no regard for safety. As a result I suffered a particularly bad collision with a blader and his skier friend on the blue Cristal run. The result - stitches on my head, horrific bruising to my thigh and ligament damage to my shoulder. I am an experienced skier and through no fault of my own I had to be rescued by the ski securite (who were excellent), have an ambulance ride and visit the local hospital. My advice if you are going to ski in Flaine? Wear a helmet and ski the harder slopes - they don't seem to do it on the reds.

Go to Flaine but do not stay in Le Totem. We paid alot of money for our skiing holiday, thinking our breakfast and evening meal was all sorted but we were wrong. Many mornings there was no bread, no hot water for tea , no cups - and when we asked the staff for some they simple told us they were all in the dish washer, after waiting at least 20 minutes we had to make do with luke warm coffee in wine glasses. We are still waiting for the bread and fruit juice to arrive. The evening meals were no better,running out of pre ordered food, luke warm soup - no rolls left, pate no bread left and the list goes on, if we hadn't been so disappointed it would have been funny, they were so bad on the first three nights we ate out for the remainder of our holiday, thus paying twice for our meals.
The location of the hotel, the skiing and the rest of the resort is fantastic all it needs is for Crystal to put some decent staff ie over 16 to run the hotel and some TLC and this would be a great destination but at the moment I feel totally riped off.

Just back from a long weekend at the Totem, and they seem to have improved beyond all recognition based on previous reviews. My wife and I booked last minute and checked the reviews afterwards, so were expecting the worst. However, it would be really difficult to fault the hotel or the staff, particularly in view of what we paid for three nights half board, schedule flights and transfers.
Our room was fairly small but typical of any French ski resort of this period. On the plus side, it was clean and warm, the beds were comfortable and there was plenty of hot water.
Going to breakfast on our first morning we were expecting the worst. We don't start early, no kids and no ski school, so we can take a more leisurely pace to the start of the day. From previous reviews we were expecting a rubbish strewn room with a few left over bits of food. So what a surprise. Down at around 8.45 No problem finding a laid table. There was a good continental spread, pastries, cold meats, cheese etc and a full English selection just being replenished. One full cookie and several mugs of coffee later was ready to tackle the slopes.
The ski room is clean dry, and opens via a secure door onto the slopes. There is a supply of bottled water on the way out and in reception. The hotel really is ski in ski out. Any closer and you'd be sleeping in the snow.
After a full day of perfect sunny ski-ing (more like late march than feb!) we got back just in time for tea and excellent chocolate cake , or so my wife advised me. The bar area has large soft leather sofas, a roaring log fire and a large screen tv showing Wales winning again. Not a bad way to finish a days ski ( well maybe if you're English or Scottish you'd disagree!)
A good hot bath (Spa therapy freebies) and a couple or three Ricards and it was time to sample the restaurant again. Apparently they have several sittings through the evening but we were advised that we could just show up any time. The only proviso was that they like to get families with young children in earlier in the evening. I guess, if you're a big group this might be different.
Once again, no problem with finding a table, our order was taken within a couple of minutes and starters arrived a few minutes later, along with our wine. Mains also followed promptly and puds were from the buffet. OK, it's not 5 star haute cuisine but it was well cooked and the couple of nights we were there, there was an ok choice on the menu: soup or salad to start then beef pie, veg lasagne, fish etc for mains. Puds were sticky toffee or similar, thousands of calories a slice, just what you need!! Wine was far better than some of the overpriced vinegar they serve up in some resort restaurants and flowed freely. The staff were all friendly and attentive and looked after us well.
This was the pattern for the next couple of days: big breakfast, on the slopes by 9.45ish, ski hard, just catch tea and cakes, then dinner, followed by an early night.
On our last day, pick up wasn't till 2.30, so we had a full morning ski and a room was available for us to shower and change before heading back to Geneva.
We were there early feb, so when it is half term and the place is full it may be different, but from our experiences as a couple the wrong side of 50 (just) it would be difficult to find fault. If you come expecting 5 star luxury chalet standards you will be disappointed but you're not paying five star prices. The hotel Totem is a perfectly sited 3 star offering good value for money albeit fairly basic accommodation and food

What a shambles, arrived back early Feb after spending 1 week in Le Totem, had it not been for the great skiing (and company) I would have been very annoyed.
The rooms where dirty, and bedsheets were not changed at all, towels were changed once. Plus sockets did not work, lights did not work in many rooms, and the beds were like ice lolly sticks.
The hotel clearly requires a complete refurbishment, and I have never stayed in such an old looking and run down hotel.
The staff were great people, but lacked organisational skills. They were young and clearly inexperienced, and pretty much left to their own devices.
One individual restaurant manager/supervisor was so arrogant, rude and uncooperative, he actually ended calling the police twice in one evening, after a main course ended up on his head, and after being shouted at by an upset guest.
Numerous residents actually started to eat out at the expensive local restaurants due to the sometimes inedible food, and the extremely rude restaurant manager/supervisor who refused to cooperate with guests.
During meals, on some occasions; one table would order, be served 3 courses and leave before another table was even approached by a member of staff, and an hour wait in between courses was not unusual. For the kitchen to run out of different types of food or breakfast was also common.
The impression I received was that the staff had little consideration for any guests problems, and were more interested in their own agendas. (i.e. calling the police, and drinking lots do not sort out poor food, problems with serving, dirty rooms which only get hoovered once a guest has left, and the attitude of some staff.)
On the other hand, the location of the hotel couldn't have been better, the showers were good,and the skiing was fantastic. I would recommend the resort of Flaine, it is fantastic. BUT I URGE YOU TO STAY IN A DIFFERENT HOTEL!!! 3/10 for the hotel, but 9/10 for the skiing I experienced.

As mentioned the hotel is kinda old and flaine is kinda concrete.. BUT what a place to ski and snowboard.. very very cool. The staff at the hotel were excellent.. the bar staff had us entertained.. the restauraunt staff let us have extra wine (always good) and the food was good also.
As a resort Flaine is recomended, as a hotel, Le Totem needs some TLC.. but is a great base for some wicked skiing/boarding.
Going back to flaine in 4 weeks for more snow!

We returned yesterday from our ski holiday.Firstly I would just like to say to people due to stay in Le Totem- Dont Panic! It really is not that bad. The location is fantastic, the ski-school meeting points are right outside,you have a good locker area, the rooms are warm and the view from the south facing rooms are gorgeous. You can see directly over the nursery slopes and I was able to see my child in her lesson whilst in my room!
The ski-hire shop is literally opposite the hotel, so you do not have to walk far, plus there is a little ice skating rink right outside the hotel. Also if you have children, there are a few little hills directly outside the hotel - perfect for sledging and bum boarding.( you can borrow the whizz kids sledges /bum boards- rather then buy one)
If you have children and you are taking advantage of the Whizz Kids club, then you have no worries. The Whizz Kids are excellent! The Children ( we had 3 there in total - aged 8,6 and 3) absolutley loved the Whizz kids and the Pyjama club, it made their holiday.The Whizz kids Staff are fantastic, everyone of them. Excellent with the Children.( Chris, Becky Boo to name a few)
The only area that we had any complaints with...is the restaurant. I think though in all honesty this was not all due to the inexperience of staff, but had a great deal to do with where we were sitting at meal times. We were smack bang in the middle of 3 large groups, who had about 15 children between them This made meal times extremely noisy, so much so you were desperate to get out of the dining area.Our chairs were constantly being kicked- but this was due to the actual space between the tables and the design of the chairs. However, we were well aware that this was a family hotel ( which was why we booked it) We did request to move on the evenings when we had no children dining with us , and this was easily done. We had opted for our children to eat early and then go to the Pyjama club while we ate. Maybe this is why we noticed the noise more- or the fact that the noise bounced off the walls making it worse-I don't know. If the hotel had 2 sittings on an evening- that may reduce the noise levels.
The service was slow in the restaurant and did lack attention to detail- ie no knives when you were first seated, a glass missing, or no napkins, but the staff were so friendly that it did make up for it. It did get better towards the end of the week, in fact on the last night - we joked that we were in a different hotel! The new Manager ( who started at the beginning of our week) seems to be sorting things out.The food was fine. Breakfast wasn't your typical "English Cooked Breakfast" but hey , you are in France!!
Our main gripe really was a member of our group being charged incorrectly for a child lift pass. So, a little tip. If you have a child in Beginner Ski Cass( snow flake or level 1) do not buy a lift pass for them until told to by your instructor. You can then pop along to your Lift Pass office and purchase for 14 - 16 Euros a 20 point pass. Your child will then have points deducted from their lift pass depending on what chairlift/drag lift they use.( for example a drag lift may cost 2 points and a chair lift 4 points) You can then at the end of the day, pop to the lift pass office ( and I mean Pop as it is 2 mins from the hotel) and check how many points are left on your card and top up your points if need be.
This saves money as this was what I was advised to do on arrival to the hotel. However another member of our group was advised by the hotel rep to buy a full lift pass for their 6 year old child. Their child was in the same ski group as mine and for the first 2 days stayed on the nursery slopes ( so the lift pass wasn't needed). We did complain about this and the lift pass would not be refunded so we are taking it up with the head office. The hotel rep does not provide the points lift pass therefore it is not in his interest to tell you about them as he wont get commission. I mean it does depend on what level your child is at, and if they will be ski-ing with you in an afternoon. However, we had a 6 and and 8 year old in the snowflake group who skied in the morning in their lesson and then were at the whizz kids club in the afternoon. To be sold a full lift pass for one of those children was a bit sneaky. We had pre-booked the whizz kids in the UK so it was pretty obvious we thought.
All in all my child had originally 20 points on his lift pass ( 14 Euros) and we topped it up once with a further 12 points which cost about 9 euros. So in total say about 23 euros ( about £17) I spent on my child's lift pass for the week!Not bad? So you can see why we are upset that a member of our group was advised to buy a full child's lift pass for 135 Euro's ( approx £100) and their child was in the same group as mine,and being in the snowflake group didn't use the pass for 2 days anyway!! Plus tere are a number of free lifts around the nursery slopes also.
Despite all this, I have sat and read the reviews on here, and can honestly say, at the end of the day, it is a club hotel- for families, so there are going to be children around. We chose it for that reason. If you do not want to be around Children- then don't go to a Club Hotel. However if you have chidren then they are sure to love this hotel and make lots of friends, and the childcare is fantastic. Plus , it is ski to door and you can't get better than the location.
Enjoy your holiday- we will definately be going back!

Just had my best skiing holiday ever at the Hotel Totem in Flaine. This hotel is perfect for families and hell on earth for young/old couples looking for a quiet romantic get a way.
Most of the food was excellent but the service was sometimes slow. This did not matter as we were in a group of 23; kids down one end of the table, adults at the other end, the kids and their Nintendo D/S's entertained themselves the adults had time to socialise with the help of the surprisingly good house red wine (free carafe per couple).
The ski room is 30m from the ski school meeting point, so no long walks carrying the kid’s skis and practically ski back to the door. This holiday was almost the same price as self catering in Val Thorens last year, so really the food was free! There were some complaints from other guests about cold soup, slow service , breakfast buffet running out of bacon, sausages etc. However each service was for 250 people with inexperienced, but cheerful smiling staff. Quiet meal time it was not, but then you don't have to worry about your kids disturbing other guests.
Night life is very limited in Flaine, and I was a little disappointed skidoos are not available for rental, as we enjoyed this very much in Val Thorens. Huge and varied ski area and excellent snow.

Our group holiday booking with Crystal for New Year was an absolute disaster - mainly due to the lack of managerial support for the extremely young and inexperienced staff at the hotel.
The hotel is in dire need of a thorough overhaul and in-depth clean. The food (when it was available) was served lukewarm and inevitably over an hour late each evening. Waiting staff were desperately keen to be helpful, but were understandably even keener to be out on the slopes - so it was a lost cause from day one of the holiday.
Very disappointing, as we have been to the hotel twice previously (later in the season), and were so impressed we recommended it to the five families that joined us (how embarrassing was that?).
Excellent location beside the slopes is the one redeeming feature of the hotel.