Intrawest To Sell European Properties

Tony_H wrote:

bandit wrote:Tony, my view, gained from experience is that if a resort builds large blocks of cheap self catering accommodation, then they are geared up for large groups of folk wanting a cheap holiday, who may or not be keen skiers. With VT, that building style seems predominant, so it is a fairly good bet that there will be more noisy behaviour, than say a small traditional mountain village with b&b's and houses converted into apartments. In the case of VT, the marketing suggested up market and smart in glowing terms, however my experience there firmed up my view that it does not matter what you call a turd, it still stinks.
Mr Admin Sir, do I get a prize for the best thread hijack this week :D

When I see places with purpose built apartments, I tend to turn the page and look elsewhere. Its very much why I prefer Austria generally.

Ian - I like a bit of apres ski, but dont go in for getting blotto. Its a fun end to a day to have a couple of beers in a lively happy atmosphere, before having a civilised dinner and some nice wine.

Me too, I much prefer the quiter places. Mind you it can still happen in Austria, my first ever ski trip in Austria was the worst hotel experience ever. Which was a shame as it was a lovely hotel.

RoseR wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

bandit wrote:Tony, my view, gained from experience is that if a resort builds large blocks of cheap self catering accommodation, then they are geared up for large groups of folk wanting a cheap holiday, who may or not be keen skiers. With VT, that building style seems predominant, so it is a fairly good bet that there will be more noisy behaviour, than say a small traditional mountain village with b&b's and houses converted into apartments. In the case of VT, the marketing suggested up market and smart in glowing terms, however my experience there firmed up my view that it does not matter what you call a turd, it still stinks.
Mr Admin Sir, do I get a prize for the best thread hijack this week :D

When I see places with purpose built apartments, I tend to turn the page and look elsewhere. Its very much why I prefer Austria generally.

Ian - I like a bit of apres ski, but dont go in for getting blotto. Its a fun end to a day to have a couple of beers in a lively happy atmosphere, before having a civilised dinner and some nice wine.

Me too, I much prefer the quiter places. Mind you it can still happen in Austria, my first ever ski trip in Austria was the worst hotel experience ever. Which was a shame as it was a lovely hotel.

Austria is supposedly renowned for it's Apres, ski all them Brits all drinking together having a wonderful time MMMMMmmmm, I feel a picture forming in my mind :evil: :evil:

Ian it was'nt the Brits that spoilt that holiday, nor was it Austrians or Germans. :evil:

RoseR wrote:Ian it was'nt the Brits that spoilt that holiday, nor was it Austrians or Germans. :evil:

Come on Rose please do not keep me in suspense.....spill the beans :shock: :shock:

Ian Wickham wrote:

RoseR wrote:Ian it was'nt the Brits that spoilt that holiday, nor was it Austrians or Germans. :evil:

Come on Rose please do not keep me in suspense.....spill the beans :shock: :shock:

100 french students who rampaged the hotel night after night, slamming doors, screaming all night, throwing up every-where. Because after midnight the hotel was without staff. I wanted to come home on the Tuesday. We reported it to the owners who did have a word with them, but made no difference. Could'nt report it to the Rep as she had done a bunk on the first night of the holiday. Did get a partial refund from TO for next holiday. Thats why I enjoy Seefeld so much, none of that and the hotel we stay at all the rooms are sound proofed so completely quiet at night.

I don't think you can blame the place, wherever it is, it's some of the people who go there on holiday.

This morning,for example, I went to our local village shop, which is right opposite the beach, to get some milk.

And I carefully parked so that I wasn't in the village bus stop parking place because otherwise there is nowhere for the bus to stop and no-one can get on or off the bus. The car behind me stopped right in the bus stop place. And when the man got out I told him that he wasn't allowed to stop there, because of the bus, and that there was a perfectly good space a few yards in front of him. He said 'What are you the traffic warden?' and I said 'No, I was just trying to be helpful'. And he walked off into the shop. He was a typical arrogant, inconsiderate holidaymaker. They come here because they like the scenery and the peace etc. and some of them then try to ruin it for everyone else.

Ally

If a resort designs it's tourist accommodation to appeal to large crowds with limited funds, then I believe that those resorts will reap the benefits of their strategies. French rabbit hutch apartment blocks certainly spring to mind, typically renting 25sqm to 4, and putting 7 in 45sqm.

bandit wrote:If a resort designs it's tourist accommodation to appeal to large crowds with limited funds, then I believe that those resorts will reap the benefits of their strategies. French rabbit hutch apartment blocks certainly spring to mind, typically renting 25sqm to 4, and putting 7 in 45sqm.

I am a great admirer of many things that the French do well. They do tend to have engineers organise their rail system for instance, whereas we had Stephen Byers, and his follow-ons.

They also retain idyllic rural settings for much of their country. Yet local planning seems to be left to the Mayor Pierre, whose uncle just happens to run a building business. Perhaps a jaundiced view.

It cannot be an accident that Austria and Switzerland tend to retain their village cultural identities, whereas in France, you cannot imagine which country you are in, until you read the menu.

It is a great shame, because the skiing is good in so many French places.