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Ski and snowboarding

Chalet etiquette

15 replies

tulpe · 26/01/2011 21:09

Usually we stay in Esprit's chalethotel in BP. I find that over the couple of years we have gone there, the "dress code" for dinner has gone up a notch ; meaning there are less fleeces and more dresses/tunics (although definitely on the casual end of the scale).

Just wondering if things are the same or more relaxed in smaller chalets? I quite like getting "dressed for dinner" in a casual way

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midnightexpress · 26/01/2011 21:11

Sorry, I can't answer any of your questions, but DCs under 13 are not welcome at the dinner table? Why ever not?

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scurryfunge · 26/01/2011 21:13

Sounds like an awful arrangement -there must be alternatives, surely?

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SlightlyTubbyHali · 26/01/2011 21:15

With Esprit?

We went to an Esprit chalet last year. Some people did dress up for dinner a tad, others (me included) put on a nice top but still wore slippers.

There were no children in the dining room while we ate. I think possibly they had that club thing going on for them. In any event, the dining room was small and it would have been hard to fit extra people in there. Perhaps it depends on where you go, but my children are small and I like being able to put them to bed and hang out with just adults.

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tulpe · 26/01/2011 21:28

midnightexpress - because apparently they "diminish the dinner party atmosphere"........

SlightlyTubbyHali - yes with Esprit.

Yep - nice top but with slippers is what I would consider making an effort in those circumstances :)

I make use of Cocoa Club since DS2 is still too young to attend and I feel a bit mean letting eldest go and youngest stay alone in their room.

Just thought it might be nice to give them the odd evening to stay up a bit later without being in their rooms.

Thanks anyway :)

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midnightexpress · 26/01/2011 21:32

Oh dear. How ghastly. Sorry, I'm not being helpful.

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SlightlyTubbyHali · 26/01/2011 21:39

Well see how it goes. They might be so knackered they are asleep well before dinner anyway. Certainly my DD could not have stayed up past 8pm after spending much of the day in the snow. Hope you have a good time - where are you going?

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FluffyHamster · 26/01/2011 21:48

We've been to Esprit chalets for over 5 years and I think the evening dress code varies hugely.
I've usually changed into a pair of decent jeans and a casual top after my bath/shower, but it's mostly still very casual.

I'm not sure whether the expression 'DCs under 13 are not welcome at the dinner table' came from, but that hasn't really been my experience. I suppose it means that they're not expected to come and sit at the table and eat with parents, as they've had their own meal at 5.30 or whatever.

Usually the kids are either knackered and in bed asleep, or watching a DVD in the lounge.
Quite often there's a bit of to & fro-ing at about 8.30 between courses when parents go to finally usher older ones to bed.

Kids playing quietly in the next room isn't usually a problem, but when you get badly bhaved ones who start throwing sofa cushions around and having sword fights with the pokers them obviously people get a bit annoyed.

Personally I like the 'adult only' time in the evening, and the evenign meal is too late anyway for all but the older kids.

If you want to eat with the kids however some chalets have a 'family meal together' option (but the whole chalet has to agree to it).

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FluffyHamster · 26/01/2011 21:52

Our kids have never much liked Cocoa Club (often in another building or a grotty room). We tend to take a laptop and some DVDs and let them have their own personal coco club between about 7 - 8.30 pm when they go to bed. (And bribe them to stay there with some chocolates and pocorn)

I don't really know why people think the adult only evening meal thing is so evil really - it works fantastically well. The kids don't want to be with the old fogeys anyway....ANd it's nice to have some adult time to chat and drink wine.

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scurryfunge · 26/01/2011 22:16

I like adult (wine) time too but I also like meal times to be a family event and adult time comes later in the evening.

I think I imagined some regimented holiday where children were seen and not heard.

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SlightlyTubbyHali · 26/01/2011 22:54

Oh definitely not- the children are all over the place on these holidays - I'd say it is largely set up for them. Only an utter loon would go on holiday with Esprit if they didn't have children, but the childcare is good so you can put them to bed and have some adult company. Given that they're often exhausted (our then 3 year old was barely awake at 7pm last year) staying awake for a meal that starts at 8:30 would be a lot to ask, certainly for my kids.

I guess if they were 12 it would be different - but then they could watch DVDs, eat cake etc.

Actually,OP, last year there were kids who were 9 or so who hung around in the lounge eating the pre-dinner nibbles. They had gone to bed by dinner but were around until then.

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tulpe · 28/01/2011 10:51

Hi thanks for replies :)

Didn't mean to imply Esprit not family friendly. I just miss eating with them during the week and it does feel odd to leave them upstairs in the hotel room whilst we eat in the evening (even with the listening service). I think I needed to hear that most chalet guests are relaxed enough to not mind DCs quietly watching DVD/chatting or playing cards etc in living area during adult meals.

Wouldn't expect them to be able to join us as such unless of course we were the only family in a chalet: if its possible to come to a compromise with chalet host and eat earlier with DCs around 6.30/7pm (which also means host gets to go to pub earlier.....my bargaining tool :o ). Anyway, we shall find out on Sunday. We are off to Les Arcs 2000..........please let it snow!!!

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VivaLeBeaver · 29/01/2011 09:11

I've stayed in lots of Esprit chalets and DD has often been playing on her DSi with other kids in the sitting area which is often just the other end of the dining room. Usually other peoples' kids are there as well and if they are being well behaved I can't see why anyone would have a problem with it. DD is too old in her opinion for cocoa club, but equally doesn't want to be shut in her bedroom.

When we were in Val d'isere last week there isn't a sitting area in the same room as where you eat. But she stayed in the bar across the reception quite happily.

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tulpe · 31/01/2011 21:00

So we are the only family in this chalet this week. Chalet host left it up to us to decide about meal times. Yesterday and today we ate together at 6.30pm but youngest DS (6) today was past it......allegedly......but managed to run around starkers (why???) for 20 mins after he was allowed to leave the table, so they will eat at 5.30 tomorrow (usual high tea time) and DH and I will have relaxing evening meal at 8.30.

Be careful what you wish for

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Gameboy · 31/01/2011 21:06

OH, you lucky things having a chalet to yourself! Where are you then

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tulpe · 31/01/2011 21:37

Hi Gameboy.

We are in Arcs 2000. There are other families staying in the other Esprit chalets but we are the only lone family. TBH, perhaps I am rather spoilt but I would find Simone a tad too snug if it were full.

As it is, it is wonderful. DCs are in ski school with a ratio of 1:4 which is fab.

I am sure the weather conditions have deterred others from booking but if you look at my post in the "where's the flipping snow." thread, you will see that IMO there is no need to delay - just book a bargain :)