Latest posts for the topic "Catered chalets - feedback please!"

Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:34:21 GMT

We've always stayed in s/c apartments or cabins when skiing. However for our 1st 12/13 trip (probably over New Year) we are seriously considering catered chalets. Should I be looking for any specific things? I've already have a couple in our sights and the trip advisor feedback is excellent. One of them is British run (they have about 6 chalets in 3 resorts). I've spoken to them over the phone and had a really good and informative chat. All looks good.

Any feedback on do's and don't, pros and cons much appreciated before the credit card gets a pounding in the next few days.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:01:59 GMT

I've used catered chalets and chalet hotels a lot in recent years and always look for them as first option. However it depends very much on who you book with as to what to expect.

I won't use Crystal again, their catering is disgusting.
We have used Esprit/Total, Inghams, Skiworld, Ski France. All have been fine regards the food.

You should expect to have hot choice for breakfast, afternoon tea and cake, and at least a 3 course evening meal with free wine.

Personally I like to find one thats very close to the piste or a lift, ski in ski out is of course a major advantage. I also avoid travelling when its kids holidays as the last thing I want is to find myself couped up with Just William :wink:

A choice of wines is a bonus over dinner.

Look for one with a jacuzzi, sauna etc as thats a real bonus to have in your own property. I've stopped in one for 8 people and chalet hotels for up to 100 people, the dining experience is obviously more interesting with smaller numbers if you're sharing with strangers.

Most chalets have their own boot and ski room, heated boot storage is always welcome.

Some will also offer ski hosting, but I've never used that as yet.

Resorts where chalets are prominent: Verbier, St Anton, Alpe d'Huez, Val d'Isere, Meribel.

I've done the first 3, and also done a chalet in Serre Chevalier.

Best experience was probably Total Ski for the catering, Skiworld for value for money, Ski France for chalet facilities. I couldn't go back to self catering, especially with euro rates as they are and the cost of eating out particularly in France.

I usually expect to pay between GBP500 and GBP600pp max for a week catered inc flights and transfers. You only need lunch and beer money then. Great way to have a ski holiday IMO.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:10:06 GMT

Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like GBP1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 15:14:45 GMT

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like GBP1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

What dates are you looking at?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:18:44 GMT

Love catered chalets or chalet hotels, last 8 trips have done them. Agree with the Crystal warning to a degree, they just use kids to cook so it could be hit or miss.

The down side of smaller chalets (5-8 rooms) is if you don't take full occupancy you could end up with a clash of personalities and there is NO escape, you live & breathe them for a week...although actually I've been lucky each time so far. Always make sure it is en-suite.

For the last three trips I have been in larger 40+ room types and they of course have a more general mix...some do a 'shared' tables for dinner so you can meet new people.

And here's a good saying to keep in mind..."There's a 'weirdo' in every chalet ...if you ever stayed in one and not noticed them...then it was YOU " )

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:27:17 GMT

I would like to do the chalet option, but not sure if u am sociable enough. This meeting new people malarkey sounds hard work after a day skiing. Can't walk around in just a pair of shorts in a chalet.

Might return to hotels, fed up with expensive sc.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:42:33 GMT

Iceman wrote:I would like to do the chalet option, but not sure if u am sociable enough. This meeting new people malarkey sounds hard work after a day skiing. Can't walk around in just a pair of shorts in a chalet.

Might return to hotels, fed up with expensive sc.

They possibly would struggle to understand you :D

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:52:14 GMT

Is that the sensible Northern Monkey element in my personality :roll:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:18:50 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like GBP1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

What dates are you looking at?

29th/30th Dec to 5th/6th Jan. Can think of many worse places to be for New Year!

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:23:26 GMT

smartski wrote:Love catered chalets or chalet hotels, last 8 trips have done them. Agree with the Crystal warning to a degree, they just use kids to cook so it could be hit or miss.

The down side of smaller chalets (5-8 rooms) is if you don't take full occupancy you could end up with a clash of personalities and there is NO escape, you live & breathe them for a week...although actually I've been lucky each time so far. Always make sure it is en-suite.

For the last three trips I have been in larger 40+ room types and they of course have a more general mix...some do a 'shared' tables for dinner so you can meet new people.

And here's a good saying to keep in mind..."There's a 'weirdo' in every chalet ...if you ever stayed in one and not noticed them...then it was YOU " )

You know what, I hadn't really thought much about the other occupants!! I suppose if we don't like we won't do it again.....

I suppose I can always stick my noise cancelling headphones on and listen to Mastodon :D

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:34:17 GMT

bedrock barney wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like GBP1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

What dates are you looking at?

29th/30th Dec to 5th/6th Jan. Can think of many worse places to be for New Year!

Norfolk?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:00:37 GMT

Iceman wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for the feedback Tony....much appreciated.

The one I'm looking at in VaI d'Isere ticks lots of boxes. 5 bedrooms, sauna, heated boot room, good food with free wine, 100m from the pistes, off the main roads but close to the centre, ski hosting and they also allow access/baggage storage to allow for 8 days skiing.

More like GBP1,200 pp though for the week incl travel!! Might be going for it in the next 24 hours...

What dates are you looking at?

29th/30th Dec to 5th/6th Jan. Can think of many worse places to be for New Year!

Norfolk?

Your right I'm normally working :wink:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 22:35:44 GMT

Best thing to do!! Norfolk girls wear white stilettos?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 00:22:29 GMT

Iceman wrote:Can't walk around in just a pair of shorts in a chalet.

oh yes you can

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:41:16 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Iceman wrote:Can't walk around in just a pair of shorts in a chalet.

oh yes you can

Im pretty sure he means his boxers....

Its the biggest thing that puts me off chalets is the other occupants, especially if its a small property. I wouldn't like to stay in a 16 person chalet where 14 other guests are part of the same group, it would be like gatecrashing someones party.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 09:50:09 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:
Its the biggest thing that puts me off chalets is the other occupants, especially if its a small property. I wouldn't like to stay in a 16 person chalet where 14 other guests are part of the same group, it would be like gatecrashing someones party.

Me too Snapzzz.

The actual care/food/accomodation etc can be checked out, carefully to make sure that the rooms meet your needs with en-suite etc and that you are likely to get what you pay for in standards.

I wouldn't go into a small chalet as a single or couple simply because of the impossibility of knowing what the other guests are like.

But ....
I am a fan of the big chalet/chalet hotel where you can either get lost on your own or join in with others of a similar outlook quite easily.

I would also be very sceptical of any company "matching" one into a chalet with "similar people" as all they can do is look at any age info they have - and I have never been asked my age when booking.

Notwithstanding all the above when I was a kid I routinely went solo in a catered chalet and had some great experiences making new holiday friends and when I ran chalets we had some great weeks where guests gelled, but others where there was always tension. Mainly this was around noise and partying late at night.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:06:26 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Iceman wrote:Can't walk around in just a pair of shorts in a chalet.

oh yes you can

Im pretty sure he means his boxers....

Its the biggest thing that puts me off chalets is the other occupants, especially if its a small property. I wouldn't like to stay in a 16 person chalet where 14 other guests are part of the same group, it would be like gatecrashing someones party.

Snaapzzz on the money again!! It would not be fair to have a hunky fella walking round in nothing but boxers. They would get very excited ;)

Agree with the gatecrasher feeling, if I was to stay in a chalet hotel, what is the difference between that and a normal hotel?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:10:13 GMT

Iceman wrote:
Agree with the gatecrasher feeling, if I was to stay in a chalet hotel, what is the difference between that and a normal hotel?

I think the Chalet Hotel is a relatively new term and from my understanding it is just a smallish (40-80 guest) hotel that is run totally by the TO. So you get just british guests.
We stayed in one in ADH and it had quite a nice feel to it, big enough for you to do your own thing but small enough to mix if you wanted to.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:11:42 GMT

Snapzzz wrote:

Iceman wrote:
Agree with the gatecrasher feeling, if I was to stay in a chalet hotel, what is the difference between that and a normal hotel?

I think the Chalet Hotel is a relatively new term and from my understanding it is just a smallish (40-80 guest) hotel that is run totally by the TO. So you get just british guests.

That almost rules it out immediately. Part of the fun is "people watching" other nationalities ;)

Do I get to sit at my own table at dinner and breakfast? That is a big deciding factor for me. :roll:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:15:11 GMT

Iceman wrote:
That almost rules it out immediately. Part of the fun is "people watching" other nationalities ;)

I tend to lean the other way, especially with regard to the french. In Flaine the buggers pushed and shoved us all over the place.
All the brits queue nicely for the lifts and stuff, the french push right on in.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:20:35 GMT

That is true, the British to tend to have international prize for queuing etiquette! Look at how we all play nice when boarding a no allocated seat plane. Orderly queue chaps - I know there will be exceptions before you leap on me.....)

Another consideration for next year now

- Resort/country
- Method of travel
- DIY or not
- SC/Chalet/Hotel

The past 5 years have been easy, DIY, France, Easyjet, car hire, SC. The strength of the Euro is having a big effect on decisions now. :roll:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:22:58 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Do I get to sit at my own table at dinner and breakfast? That is a big deciding factor for me. :roll:

This depends on the hotel to be honest Icy. I have stayed in some chalet hotels where every group had a separate table for all meals, albeit in a shift pattern for dinner (so breakfast was a first come first table job and I would usually just take a bacon roll to the bar). I have also stayed in ones where the tables were all long ones seating 20 people, and groups would have to share the tables.

Nothing wrong with that for dinner, but people can be a bit tetchy first thing in the morning :shock:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:25:41 GMT

Oh no School dinner style :shock:

You are not selling it very well to me.

I suppose sitting here now in UK in boxers thinking about it will be a but different compared to the glow I have after a days skiing. Stop being Grumpy Icy!

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:28:26 GMT

Hmm, maybe not selling it well, but given a choice between chalet hotel and standard hotel, I would probably go for the standard hotel in future.

Don't confuse a chalet hotel with a standard catered chalet, they are totally different.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:35:58 GMT

Iceman wrote:Oh no School dinner style :shock:

You are not selling it very well to me.

I suppose sitting here now in UK in boxers thinking about it will be a but different compared to the glow I have after a days skiing. Stop being Grumpy Icy!

At ours we were shown to our table on our first night and told this is our spot for the week.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:55:01 GMT

Icy, maybe you're just a little shy about sharing meal times with strangers?

So, from experience:

Catered chalets - all British guests as it will be operated by one company only. One dining area for all guests, possibly split into 2 tables for larger chalets. You'll be given somewhere to sit first meal and thats you for the week. No harm in moving seats round the table but someone is likely to be miffed about this I'd imagine.

Standard hotels - could be a mix of nationalities as the tour op usually only rents a certain number of rooms per property. Dining will be undertaken at a table to suit the party size, so if its 2 of you you'll be on your own all week.

Catered chalet hotels - similar to the catered chalet, but the restaurant will be made up of a number of larger tables on which you'll be given spaces. In St Anton we had a table for 12 which was our group only. In ADH when 4 of us travelled we were put onto a larger table for 14 and you get the chance to meet new people and talk about skiing. Yes you could strike it lucky and meet similar minded people, but life is a rich tapestry old pal and its all about learning to mix with all sorts. You could get really unlucky and end up with a group of lads from Leeds who turn up leathered each meal time, or alternatively you might end up with Tarquin and Geomima who think you're a peasant yourself and won't want to speak to you. I think this is the importance of choosing the right accommodation in the right resort with the right company.

Personal experience has taught me not to book where Esprit Ski operate again as they seem to be a more snobbish type of clientelle and there is a high chance there will be young children breaking the peace at meal times. Not for me, thanks, although their properties and staff are excellent, as was the food.

I'd also think twice about using a Rocket Ski chalet hotel as you get what you pay for. Cheap and cheerful, low quality food, and more often than not one or more large school trips in the accommodation. But for GBP350 for a week catered and travel, could you put up with that?????

Me - I usually look for catered chalets first, chalet hotels next and then look at the half board options. Find a good deal, and if the foods not great you can still eat out a few nights. Self catering on a ski holiday for us is a total no-no. You go away to sample the local cuisine and get out and about, and you can end up meeting some really nice people when "forced" to mix. I'd hate having to cook my own food or be shacked up in a block of apartments or in a shoebox of a room. I'm sure there are other alternatives for the s/c options, but thats my experience of doing it previously and its the impression you get looking at the brochures as well.

Its totally an individual thing though, but don't knock it til you've tried it. You will find some of the best priced all round packages are catered. Expect to pay GBP500+ for a week out of peak time for flights, transfers and the weeks catered accommodation. Its up to you to find the one that does it for you.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:29:42 GMT

Every-body has their own preference on styles of holidays. For me whilst I see now that a catered chalet is by far the best deal it is a holiday I could never go for. It would be my worst nightmare. By giving my reasons for this it may sound as if we are really antisocial which we are not but just really value our own space.
None of our family or friends ski or would ever consider a winter holiday so sharing a chalet with them is out of the question. I work long hours and am in constant demand, my brain has to be tip top all the time. I could easily harm some-one if not, I am quizzed all day, in person, on the phone, management and a whole host of staff all day every day. I need my holidays for a bit of piece and quiet. My Hubby and I always regard our holidays either Summer or Winter as quality time to-gether to do or say exactly what we want, without other people around. I have loved full board winter holidays, the food has been great, the dining table is just for us. But its nice to go to the hotel bar and have a chat with other guests about the days activities, but thats as far as it goes. I have also had SC winter holidays in a log cabin completely on our own but go out to eat at night. Again love to chat to the locals over a drink.
So thats my take on catered chalets, but never having done it I may be wrong but feel its just not right for us.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:51:32 GMT

Thanks for all the feedback. As you will see from another thread, we've opted for the catered chalet route. I look forward to dining like a king...

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:21:10 GMT

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for all the feedback. As you will see from another thread, we've opted for the catered chalet route. I look forward to dining like a king...

I've had a whole range of food in catered chalets and chalet hotels ranging pretty terible to downright extraordinary but ........

Never felt the need to employ a food taster.

:roll:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:24:30 GMT

bedrock barney wrote:Thanks for all the feedback. As you will see from another thread, we've opted for the catered chalet route. I look forward to dining like a king...

:shock: What if all those smelly people nobody wants to ride in a telecabine with are in your chalet?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 16:30:35 GMT

Fair point, Tony_H does chalets....

We are all doooooommeeed!!! :twisted: ;)

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:20:23 GMT

Iceman wrote:Fair point, Tony_H does chalets....

We are all doooooommeeed!!! :twisted: ;)

You'd never have a dull week with me Icy

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:39:03 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

Iceman wrote:Fair point, Tony_H does chalets....

We are all doooooommeeed!!! :twisted: ;)

You'd never have a dull week with me Icy

That, my forum friend, I can believe!!

But don't ask me to wear my boxers ;)

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:55:16 GMT

Iceman wrote:

Tony_H wrote:

Iceman wrote:Fair point, Tony_H does chalets....

We are all doooooommeeed!!! :twisted: ;)

You'd never have a dull week with me Icy

That, my forum friend, I can believe!!

But don't ask me to wear my boxers ;)

Eh?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:04:37 GMT

I believe it would never be dull ;)

But don't ask me to walk around in nothin but boxer shorts (ref earlier in the thread)

:)

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:20:20 GMT

Salski wrote: :shock: What if all those smelly people nobody wants to ride in a telecabine with are in your chalet?

That's a very good point Salski :thumbup:

Imagine if they're in the jacuzzi :shock:

Would you still go in it?

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:03:32 GMT

AllyG wrote:

Salski wrote: :shock: What if all those smelly people nobody wants to ride in a telecabine with are in your chalet?

That's a very good point Salski :thumbup:

Imagine if they're in the jacuzzi :shock:

Would you still go in it?

Wibble

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 14:20:38 GMT

Tony_H wrote:

AllyG wrote:

Salski wrote: :shock: What if all those smelly people nobody wants to ride in a telecabine with are in your chalet?

That's a very good point Salski :thumbup:

Imagine if they're in the jacuzzi :shock:

Would you still go in it?

Wibble

Absolutely not wibble !!

The etiquette of sharing a jacuzzi on a ski holiday is vital.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 15:54:42 GMT

If they went in the jacuzzi they might not smell so much? Eeeeew

We have tried hotel/catered chalet and sc. All have their drawbacks and merits.

Hotel - can be very impersonal but you get your room en suite and you can lock yourself away in it at the end of a long day. They can be noisy places as the walls are often paper thin.

Catered Chalet - Close living with total strangers, can be a bit of a challenge but you can at least be assured that you have one thing in common. En suite bathroom is essential, sharing the dinner table is one thing, sharing the bathroom is a no no. We met some interesting people when we went to Les Arcs and although one or two were a bit annoying (loud and self opinionated), generally everyone was pretty friendly and it was overall a good experience.

SC - shoe box accommodation but at least you can treat it a bit more like being at home and do your thing in private.

We found Crystal to be good except they obviously have a flavour extractor in the kitchens, food looked great but tasted of nothing.

We have also been away with Alpine Elements and found them to be better, nice accommodation and decent food. Their chalet hosts were a little more experienced, not just kids.

Personally I don't really mind too much what the accommodation is like, so long as it's clean. It's the skiing that important.

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:01:27 GMT

felthorpe wrote:If they went in the jacuzzi they might not smell so much? Eeeeew

We have tried hotel/catered chalet and sc. All have their drawbacks and merits.

Hotel - can be very impersonal but you get your room en suite and you can lock yourself away in it at the end of a long day. They can be noisy places as the walls are often paper thin.

Catered Chalet - Close living with total strangers, can be a bit of a challenge but you can at least be assured that you have one thing in common. En suite bathroom is essential, sharing the dinner table is one thing, sharing the bathroom is a no no. We met some interesting people when we went to Les Arcs and although one or two were a bit annoying (loud and self opinionated), generally everyone was pretty friendly and it was overall a good experience.

SC - shoe box accommodation but at least you can treat it a bit more like being at home and do your thing in private.

We found Crystal to be good except they obviously have a flavour extractor in the kitchens, food looked great but tasted of nothing.

We have also been away with Alpine Elements and found them to be better, nice accommodation and decent food. Their chalet hosts were a little more experienced, not just kids.

Personally I don't really mind too much what the accommodation is like, so long as it's clean. It's the skiing that important.

GPWM :thumbup:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:18:42 GMT

Prob with sharing a jacuzzi is that when you get out you would have a mark round your chest where everyone else's dead skin had come off and settled :thumbdown:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:35:05 GMT

Iceman wrote:Prob with sharing a jacuzzi is that when you get out you would have a mark round your chest where everyone else's dead skin had come off and settled :thumbdown:

How do you know it is their dead skin Icy?

And not yours ............
:roll:

Re:Catered chalets - feedback please!

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:43:27 GMT

I scrub before I get in ;)