One of the first things you will need to decide when booking accommodation for your next ski holiday is whether to stay in a Chalet or Hotel. To the uninitiated, an often bewildering array of choices present themselves. Fortunately, our dedicated travel advisers are here to help you decide which is best for your holiday and ensure holiday planning is a pleasure, not a chore. If you would like to talk to them, give them a call on +44 1993 899 420. None-the-less we thought it would be helpful to run through some of the key differences between hotels and chalets so you have a clearer idea of the benefits of both (and just in time for the upcoming ski season!).
SKI CHALETS
Ski chalets are immensely popular and are available in a multitude of sizes, locations and styles. Depending on your budget they can include dedicated staff, pools, hot tubs and more, and the selection of quality properties has never been higher.
- Chalets are sociable -
With many chalets able to accommodate larger groups of people with 5 or more bedrooms, they are the perfect choice for families or groups of friends who enjoy spending time together. With a clever mix of communal areas such as dining rooms, living areas and terraces, as well as games and cinema rooms, you have plenty of opportunity to relax in each other's company. Whilst en-suite bedrooms in most chalets offer the opportunity to escape to your own room for a little bit of time on your own if you wish. Dinner can be a great opportunity to get everyone together for a relaxed, informal evening of catching up on the day’s events, usually over canapés and bubbly first. Many chalets are provided with a full compliment of staff including a chef and housekeeper, which allows you to enjoy socialising with none of the usual work, making for a very relaxed holiday!
- Chalets are great for children -
A ski holiday just would not be the same without the children coming along and chalets offer the ideal environment for them, especially if they are younger. With a home-away-from-home feel, children will feel much more relaxed and will be able to make the most of their holiday too. Unlike in a hotel, you will not feel the need to constantly keep tabs on their whereabouts, because they can have the run of the entire chalet... although you will often find them in the games rooms which feature in many properties and can include include games consoles, toys, pool tables and more – great for keeping them occupied! And they will love the cinema rooms which allow them to chill out after a day on the slopes and catch up on the latest films. And if the adults fancy a night out then it is possible to arrange dedicated childcare at the chalet for the evening (or longer if you wish) giving you the flexibility to make the most of your holiday too.
- Chalets are for gourmets –
If you enjoy eating (and who doesn’t!) then chalets can often offer you and your guests a superb gastronomic experience during the course of your stay. A dedicated chef will take the time to understand your likes and dislikes prior to your stay and will often create the perfect menu just for you. Beautiful breakfasts, fabulous lunches and sublime suppers will be yours for the eating with afternoon tea and evening canapes also featuring on the menu. Many chalets now also have a dedicated wine cellar and take pride in pairing meals with the perfect fine wines. One thing is for certain – you will not go hungry! Eating good food is one of life’s great pleasures and without a doubt, the attention to detail provided by your personal chef in this regard will really enhance your holiday.
- Chalets are personal –
One of the many delights about staying at a chalet is that it is all about you. Chalet dependent, you will often have the services of an entire staff to help make your holiday both memorable and relaxing. There is something supremely luxurious about being looked after and chalet staff are the very best at this. From the moment you arrive you will be pleasantly surprised, if not amazed, at the level of detail and thought that has gone into ensuring your stay is perfect. From a housekeeper who ensures the chalet remains immaculate throughout your stay, to the chalet manager who is able to help coordinate your holiday, you will not wish for a thing. Simply focus on enjoying your time skiing, your time with friends and family and even luxuriate in some ‘me time’ with a glass of bubbly in the Jacuzzi perhaps? Whatever makes the perfect holiday for you is what the chalet staff will endeavour to deliver.
HOTELS
There is a superb selection of luxury ski hotels available today across the major ski resorts that will impress you with the quality of facilities and attention to detail. Hotels can be the perfect choice for accommodating you during your ski holiday and offer a great alternative to a dedicated chalet.
- Hotels are perfect for couples –
When it is just the two of you travelling, hotels offer an intimacy and flexibility for your holiday not provided by a large chalet. With some superb suites available, you can enjoy both space and privacy whilst enjoying the many benefits that come with staying in a hotel, including attentive service from the hotel's staff, who will go out of their way to ensure your stay is as relaxing as possible. The presence of a hotel concierge is also an added bonus, particularly if you are staying in an unfamiliar resort. The concierge team will be only too happy to recommend the best restaurants, clubs and bars and help ensure your holiday goes smoothly right down to arranging ski hire for you if required.
- Hotels are good for corporate groups –
If you are arranging accommodation for a large corporate group then hotels can offer much greater flexibility than a chalet. Although the hope is that all guests get along, travelling with colleagues is different to travelling with friends and family and the ability to escape to your own room at the end of the evening will be appreciated. Hotels can provide corporate facilities including meeting rooms with fast broadband, perfect when the trip is a mixture of business and pleasure. Large dining rooms can cater for your group effortlessly and you have much more flexibility to alter your plans on a whim should you need to, including adding additional rooms for extra colleagues at the last minute.
- Hotel facilities are amazing –
Luxury hotels are often renowned for the quality of facilities provided for guests. To begin with, your room or suite will likely boast the latest technology and home-away-from-home comforts including Wi-Fi, large flat screen TV’s and en-suite bathrooms with luxury fixtures and fittings. Outside of your room, hotels can offer guests an incredible array of facilities including state-of-the-art gyms, superb swimming pools and spas with an array of treatments on offer. Combine this with a selection of fantastic restaurants and lively bars and you will sometimes have a hard time dragging yourself out of the hotel to explore the resort at large. And for those of you travelling with children you will appreciate the impressive childcare facilities offered by many hotels. From creches where you can leave the young ones in the care of expert staff to children's clubs which seek to entertain with a range of activities, you can rest assured the children are well taken care of during your stay.
- Hotels offer flexibility –
Sometimes it can be hard to set a firm date for your holiday, certainly too far in advance. Hotels win over chalets in this regard as you will likely find it much easier to secure accommodation at short notice. In addition, unlike chalets which often have fixed weekly slots for bookings with no variation on the start and end dates, hotels will allow you to stay when is convenient for you. Whether that is for one night or ten, hotels without doubt offer the ultimate in flexibility for your holiday.
There are certainly no hard and fast rules when it comes to the chalet vs. hotel debate and no overall winner! Both chalets and hotels can offer the perfect choice for your holiday and, with differences between each and every one, our chalet and hotel specialist teams will be able to find the perfect accommodation for you. To discuss your upcoming trip please call them on +44 1993 899 420 and they will guide you through the options available. Alternatively, click here for more contact details.
