When booking a ski holiday you'll be faced with a bewildering array of accommodation options: catered ski chalets, hotels, self-catered apartments, self-catered chalets, chalet hotels, even luxury bubble tents.
To help you make the right choice, we've looked at a three of the main offerings - and asked some people to give their view on why you'd choose their option.
We'll start with a comparison of a most important aspect of the deal: price:
- Anneliese Crabb, Client Services Manager, The Chalet Company
- Jean-Baptiste Lafond, Manager, Hotel la Chaudanne
- Phil Purdie, Director, The Ski Company
Ski accommodation price comparison:
Accommodation |
Example |
Price |
Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catered Ski Chalet | Chalet Pied de Voute | £590 per person (two people sharing an en-suite bedroom) | Accommodation, private transfers to and from the slopes, and full-catering with drinks |
| Hotel | La Chaudanne | From £1315 per person | Accommodation on a B&B basis |
| Self-catered Apartment | Les Fermes | £415 per person (four sharing an apartment with two bedrooms) | Accommodation |
Why a catered ski chalet?
- Home from home feeling
- Included food and drinks, which can be excellent
- Convenient skiing and included transfers to the slopes
- Amazing overall package value
- Anneliese Crabb, Client Services Manager, The Chalet Company
For me, personally, it is just the perfect way to go skiing. The chalet becomes a home-from-home where you have your own ‘house’ (if you book exclusive use). But if you're sharing you can also meet other likeminded people who are as equally happy to curl up on the sofa in their trackie-b's in front of the fire. Having lovely meals served to you every morning and evening – often with a separate menu for the children - and (free) drinks on tap adds a touch of indulgence. The closest equivalent is an ‘all inclusive’ holiday. And having someone to give your room a tidy and to take you to and from the slopes each day is a bonus. While most chalet companies make getting to the slopes as easy as possible, many chalets are located centrally too. Chalet Pied de Voute is a great chalet because of its location close to the centre of Méribel - so if you did want to get on the gladrags and hit the apres scene, it is a walk of no more than 500 metres. Chalets may not normally have a swimming pool nor a spa but the hot-tub, if available, is a great way to relax weary limbs after a day on the slopes. And the kids will stay in there for as long as you let them!
Why a hotel?
- Location, location, location
- Luxury facilities and spas
- Professional 24hr service
- Jean-Baptiste Lafond, Manager, Hotel la Chaudanne
Hotels always command the most favourable locations; not close to the town centre but in the town centre; not close to the slopes, but on the slopes. And the facilities available to guests are second-to-none. In Hotel la Chaudanne, you have a full spa and wellness area with six treatment booths, a swimming pool, a sauna and a steam room. There is also a fitness room for those with energy to spare after skiing. Although guests can dine in one of the many fine restaurants on our doorstep in Méribel, the hotel also has two fantastic restaurants: Brasserie le 80 and the Michelin-starred L’Ekrin. La Chaudanne Bar is also a very popular venue for guests and non-guests alike. Beyond all that, the hotel option is the best for me because of the service you will be offered by all the team 24 hours per day. Granted, it may not be the cheapest option but this is your holiday after all.
Why a self-catered apartment?
- Offers the ‘best of both worlds’
- Freedom & privacy
- Hotel-like facilities and convenient locations
- Cheaper booking price
- Phil Purdie, Director, The Ski Company
Self-catered apartments, of the type offered by The Ski Company, offer the best of both worlds. For example: with Les Fermes, you have accommodation right on the slopes to which you can ski-in - and a chairlift just over the slopes from where you can take-off each day. The facilities within this property are also excellent with a large swimming pool, sauna, hammam and fitness room. There is also a spa with relaxation room, tearoom and booths for treatments, massage and other luxury packages. But apartments also give you the private space that no hotel can. It’s your place with a fully-equipped kitchen and comfy lounge. So, if you want to lock the door after a day on the slopes, that’s fine. You can cook up some pasta, catch up on social media, stick a movie on or read a book. No-one is going to bother you, there are no other groups to converse with, and you don’t need to leave to go sit in a restaurant! And the price for this best-of-both-worlds luxury? You'd be pleasantly surprised. The flexibility is a big bonus when it comes to price too – take your dinner in a different restaurant each night or make it a budget holiday (with luxurious accommodation) by taking your meals in the apartment.Has that made things any easier? If you've settled on the catered ski chalet option (an excellent choice) then take a look at our selection of catered ski chalets in meribel.