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Original poster

How informal are chalet hotels with Esprit?

18 replies

braveandcrazy · 21/01/2011 19:16

I have been to a smallish chalet (about 10 families) with Esprit and found it to be comfortable and quite informal, eg children go to breakfast in pjs, slippers in the evening, children running round, that sort of thing. We are off to a chalet hotel this year (Saas Fee) which is twice as big and was wondering if they are the same or a bit more formal? I'm not expecting to get to know everyone (shame) but was hoping it would still have a nice informal feel to it.

Oh and going on Sunday so very excited

OP posts:

iluvcake · 21/01/2011 21:39

Hi braveandcrazy. I would be interested to hear too as we go next week to an esprit hotel for the first time!

SlightlyTubbyHali · 21/01/2011 21:42

We went to one with them and it was pretty informal, sounds about the same size as the one you went to. Kids run about in whatever, which makes sense given that they can't have their entire wardrobe in the kids club for after skiing.

Can you please come back and post about Saas Fee? My DH wants to book to go there shortly and I'd love to hear what you think about it. (IME Esprit chalets are more youth hostel than £3k holiday, so would love to know if any of them are better value!)

Hope you have a gerat time.

Original poster

braveandcrazy · 21/01/2011 22:06

Will let you know SlightlyTubbyHali, but cannot guarantee I can compare value with others tbh. Esprit are pricey and it will be interesting to see the difference between the smaller (and cheaper) chalet we stayed in and this chalet hotel.

Does anybody else out there have any information?

OP posts:

SlightlyTubbyHali · 21/01/2011 22:11

I'd just like to know if you have a good time and what the accomodation is like. The last place we stayed with Esprit was battered to say the least and didn't even have hot water for a couple of days. Felt like very expensive slumming (although the kids had a great time which was fab)!

Original poster

braveandcrazy · 21/01/2011 22:17

We've been with Esprit for 3 years and not had any major problems although we have read some negative comments over the years, I certainly would not be happy with no hot water as it is a necessity after a long day skiing!

OP posts:

tulpe · 22/01/2011 12:00

slightlytubbyhali - would you mind sharing the details of where you last stayed with Esprit? We usually go to their chalet hotel in Belle Plagne but it is full for majority of the season now and we were thinking of a chalet instead.

I am just a little worried as the only other chalet of theirs we stayed in was Verwall in Obergurgl and it wasn't great, tbh.

tulpe · 22/01/2011 12:02

Oh and to answer the OP :) IME in Belle Plagne, the chalet hotel was very informal. DCs running around in thermals or pjs not a problem. Slippers worn around the hotel too and if there is a pool in the Saas Fee place you will probably find people lounging around in dressing gowns too at afternoon tea!

LIZS · 22/01/2011 12:07

The one in Saas Fee was refurbished about 6 years ago. Rooms not large but it is well located , 3 * ish. imho the one used by Ski Total almost opposite is slightly better (and has a pool), but obviously lacks the same level of childcare. Caveat : not stayed in either but was a Saas Fee regular for several seasons !

SlightlyTubbyHali · 22/01/2011 12:32

It was St Anton. We still had a good time, but although I accept the skiing accomodation is often quite knackered, things like hideous stains on the carpets (I had a tiny baby so found this a bit grim) and the hot water issue were a step too far.

I'd quite like to find somewhere with better accomodation which still has childcare. My friends have done it by booking a staffed chalet and then organising nannies themselves, but DD1 had a good time with esprit precisely because there were so many other children about. It's hard to please all of us at the same time!

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 22/01/2011 15:43

(oooh - LizS - thanks - sorry OP to hijack just happen to have the SkiTotal brocher open by my PC - that Saas Fee Chelet Hotel looks fab - definitely earmarking for a future trip!)

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 22/01/2011 15:47

(LizS as you know Saas Fee well - apreciate it is traffic free - do you know if there is a covered car park outside the village...?)

LIZS · 22/01/2011 16:25

There is at the village entrance, covered and uncovered. Not sure if you can prebook but we never had a problem with spaces even at half term week. You can get the ticket stamped at the accomoodation/tourist office so you get a discount on the fee for your stay. At the carpark are free phones to call the accommodation or a taxi to pick you up in electric vehicles or you can get a village bus from just outside. Also covered car parks if you ski in Zermatt (Taesch) and Wengen/Muerren(Lauterbrunnen) but worth pre-booking the latter or you end up in a field at the far end of the village !

MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 22/01/2011 16:41

LizS - Thank you!!!!!!! (sorry OP!)

Original poster

braveandcrazy · 23/01/2011 06:40

At the airport thx for your replies and no worries about the hijack, might check out the Total Ski myself!

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 23/01/2011 20:35

I've just got back from the Esprit chalet hotel in Les Arcs. It was really nice, have stayed in smaller chalets before and also their big hotel in La Plagne. We didn't like La Plagne, too big and inpersonal for us but really liked Les Arcs. Rooms not as posh as at La PlaGne but comfy and clean. Plenty of hot water.

Didn't use childcare so can't comment on that but the staff were helpful and pleasant. Food was best I've ever had with Esprit.

It was as informal as at a smaller chalet, plenty of kids in PJs at breakfast.

Have noticed for the first time though that they now allow people without kids into teh chalet hotels. There used to be a strict policy of only allowing people with kids but this has changed. I've not a problem with it but just hope that they don't change too much.

LIZS · 24/01/2011 17:32

Viva, weren't you going to Val d'Isere?

VivaLeBeaver · 24/01/2011 18:21

God, sorry - yes. It was Val d'isere.

Have got Les Arcs on the brain as have decided I want to go there or Plan Peisey (again) next year.

tulpe · 24/01/2011 20:00

VivaleBeaver - glad you had a good trip.

We are off to Les Arcs this Sunday - got a great last minute deal as I booked today. Which chalet were you thinking of for next year? If not the one we have booked, am happy to go and be nosy elsewhere and report back :o

Am a bit that they are now allowing people without kids to stay at their chalet-hotels. I always feel more relaxed knowing that everyone is in the same boat (overtired DCs running amock :o ).

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