Quite a few people were asking about accommodation in
Serre Chevalier earlier. It's a place which is not chock full of hotels and guesthouses, for a renowned ski resort.
This year I'm booking in 2 resorts in Austria over the Christmas season, both are towns which are nearly taken up by guest accommodation places.
A really good idea for Serre Chevalier, to save money or just have private, convenient accommodation, usually with a bath and a balcony is to try studio appartment lettings (or 1 /2 bedroom appartment lettings).
This is information for those who want to go to Serre Chevalier independently, rather than with a tour company. It's certainly possible, and can be even cheaper than a good priced tour brochure holiday.
Transfer prices are around 30 Euros each way from
Grenoble, less from Turin, 11 Euros more than Grenoble e/w from
Chambery, and it is expensive from
Geneva. Looking for 2009, it would cost more for a return transfer to S.C. from Geneva than my budget return flight. Prices for the bus from Marseille are quite good and makes this journey worth checking - it should be a nice experience - ideal if you have an extra night or so, to stay in Marseille.
You can scour The Web for owner's own places, though a solid place to look is Estate Agencies (Immobiliers in French).
Serre Chevalier is quite well represented in the national holiday letting chain: Urbania. The other main Immobilier specialising in holiday lets is Les Agneaux, with places in and around Monetier les bains.
www.urbania-vacances.fr/
in English also
http://www.les-agneaux.com/location/accueil.php
in French only
If you don't understand French, go to Google, type in the searchbar:
http://www.les-agneaux.com/index2.php and select Search, and when this entry comes up, select 'Translate this page'. On the translated page, select 'Locations' in the top - left menu.
Also, www.SkiHorizon.co.uk let studio properties in Serre Chevalier around the same price as Urbania, often Urbania properties.
I stayed for 2 weeks in 2008 with in an Urbania property, it was really cheap (by myself). Ensuite bathroom with bath, studio room with kitchennette including, 2 hobs, oven, microwave, coffee machine. How many hotels have those at 155 pounds per week, all included? I also stayed in an Agence Les Agneaux property for a week in Monetier, which had the same facilities, and also a dishwasher. This was around 200 pounds for a week (per studio, not per person, but the Monetier prices are increasing substantially all round this year.)
There are 3 things to be aware of (not really 'catches', it's great value and private and comfortable). You need to give a deposit of 2 or 3 hundred Euros per appartment when you arrive and collect the same notes you've left when you leave. You may need to bring your own bedding or pay a small bedding fee. Last year I packed a duvet cover, undersheet and pillowcases, which didn't take too much room in my bag (check size of bed). Finally, you need to spend 2 to 3 hours cleaning everything before you leave or pay an extra cleaning charge - it's up to you.
If you take a studio room, this is not a great lot of bother - take a sponge and a cloth and clean the bathroom in 25 minutes, mop all the floors of the studio in another 35 minutes or so. Then, it's just to clean the table tops, wash the dishes and the ovens, and fold up sheets etc.
For solo skiiers, this is excellent value also, as the basic 2 star hotels can often charge at least 60 pounds per night for a single room, or you'll have to pay the double rate in a cheaper place at around 75 pounds per night. For solos, Serre Chevalier outside Briancon doesn't cater well usually, many of the hotels being badly advertised also. And many are there to take package tourists, where there generally aren't options not to share a room with a companion. Briancon is better for solos in 2 and 3 star places - Hotel de Paris is around 60 Euros for a single ensuite, the Hotel de la Gare is very basic but O.K. and cheaper. There are a few other 2 stars in Briancon - the Mont Brison can be good value, but as a single person staying, you're not gauranteed getting an ensuite room. The Mont Prorel Auberge hotel is in the best location - prices are anyone's guess here - can be 50 pounds single or slightly less, can be over 80 pounds single at other times.
