Mini VIP 1850 at Hotel L'Apogee
Booking accommodation takes on a new challenge when you are travelling with family. Not only do you need to take into account your own requirements, but the children too. Clearly, what makes a great place to stay for the adults (spa, dedicated wine cellar, superb room service and so on!) is not necessarily what will suit the kids. A compromise is needed to keep both the adults and kids happy. Fortunately, numerous luxury ski hotels have put facilities and services in place to ensure all guests (no matter what their age) enjoy their stay. Here we have selected five of the most family friendly luxury ski hotels for you to consider.
Hotel L’Apogee, Courchevel 1850, France
This 5-star family friendly hotel is decidedly luxurious and has a prime ski location, with ski in-ski out access and even a 40-metre private conveyor belt which carries you directly into the ski room.
Needless to say, given the topic of this article, the facilities for kids are top notch with access to amazing clubs and even a dedicated children’s concierge. Mini VIP 1850 welcomes children from the ages of 4 to 10. Described as an ‘extraordinary sensory experience’ the Mini VIP playroom is staffed with children’s ambassadors who will engage children with a host of activities including magic tricks, jewellery or perfume design, chocolate making and more. Teens (11 – 15) have their own independent space at Freestyle 1850 where they can meetup with friends to listen to music, play computer games or take advantage of the entertainment on offer which includes dance parties and movie nights.
Adults will likewise enjoy superb facilities and impeccable levels of service. Accommodation is split between Deluxe and Prestige rooms, some with interconnecting suites for families. The Suites themselves are fabulous and have individual features such as steam showers or balconies. Finally, the Penthouse Suite offers families the ultimate in luxury with a rooftop hot tub and stunning 360 degree views of Courchevel.
Whilst the kids are being entertained, you are free to make the most of the beautiful L'Apogee Spa – a great place to unwind after a day on the slopes. Foodies will really enjoy eating at L’Apogee with two restaurants to choose from. And, not forgetting the kids, a dedicated children’s menu is also on offer.
Hotel Manali, Courchevel Moriond (1650), France
With a superb location right at the foot of the ski slopes in the heart of Courchevel, Hotel Manali is the perfect choice for families that want to make the most of their time in the biggest skiing area in the world, the 3 Vallées.
The family friendly features of this 5-star hotel are extensive. To begin, it is a real treat to be able to access the shops, restaurants and ski slopes so easily from the hotel. When it comes to the skiing part of your holiday it is important the little ones don’t feel left out - the nursery slopes situated right outside the hotel are an ideal starting point for the kids. They will probably be happy sliding about all day so it is just as well the hotel terrace overlooks the nursery slopes, allowing you to keep an eye on their progress in comfort! The hotel also has a chalet which is dedicated entirely to the children and where they can find games, books, toys and more.
The rooms and suites at Hotel Manali are individually decorated and styled to reflect different regions around the world, from India with rich red and orange hues paired and decorative silk fabrics to the Canadian Rockies with imitation furs and wood panelling. Regardless of the décor, all are supremely comfortable. Optionally, families can stay in specially designed suites accommodating two adults and two children.
With the little ones occupied at the children’s chalet you can indulge in a little bit of well-deserved downtime. Head to the Mahayana Spa where you will find an elegant, peaceful setting for a massage or Cinq Mondes beauty treatment. The heated indoor pool is a great way to ease the limbs after a day on the slopes, or for the fitness fanatics, the well-equipped fitness room is at your disposal.
Hotel Altapura, Val Thorens, France
You often hear about ski-in, ski-out access to a hotel, but it’s not often this is complemented with a chairlift travelling past the front door! Well, that’s exactly what Hotel Altapura offers its guests with the Plein Sud chairlift passing right by to whisk you off onto the slopes. And with children in tow, the easier it is to get on-piste the better!
This modern, contemporary hotel has more to offer than just a superb location. Huge glass windows feature throughout the hotel which provide panoramic views from your room. Choose from 88 rooms at the hotel, all of which offer a cosy cocoon from the cold outside. Each room is uniquely decorated and features an array of the latest technology including Mac Minis for free video on demand. The hotel even offers daily tips online from a physical preparation coach to ensure you hit the slopes on top form. Junior Family Suites are a great choice if you are travelling with children, as they offer a convenient adjoining room for 1 or 2 children or upgrade to a large Family Suite which is spread over two floors and includes a second bathroom.
Kids can meetup with friends at the dedicated Children’s Area which is packed with games. A supervisor is on hand allowing you to head off to try some of the more challenging pistes or simply seek out some peace and quiet in the hotel spa. Set over 1,000 sqm, the tranquil atmosphere is superbly relaxing and that is before you try a luxury treatment. The spa also has a beautiful indoor/outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and, for the more adventurous, an ‘Igloo Space’ which forms part of a hot/cold treatment session designed to relax your muscles.
Le Blizzard, Val d’Isere, France
A charming, chalet style hotel, Le Blizzard is located in the heart of Val d’Isere with amazing views of the Olympic downhill run, La Face de Bellevarde. Val d’Isere is a great resort for a family ski holiday and being so centrally located allows you to easily make the most of the amenities on offer including excellent ski schools for the children (and you if you wish!).
Le Blizzard features 70 alpine chic rooms, many of which look over the surrounding mountains. Many of the rooms have been recently renovated and offer guests a luxuriously comfortable place to escape to. Private balconies allow you to breathe in the mountain air without leaving your room and add an extra dimension to your accommodation. Junior Suites are available with an extra bed whilst Duplex Suites or 2 bedroom apartments offer accommodation for up to four people.
The steaming outdoor pool is always an instant hit with the children – in fact you might struggle to get them out of it! Whilst they are splashing around there, perhaps under the watchful eye of a nanny which can be organised through the hotel, you are free to head to the spa where there is a Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. There are also massage rooms to further ensure your stay is a relaxing one!
And there is nothing better than coming back in, out of the cold, to find a roaring fire to warm you up in the hotel bar, which offers a variety of cocktails and spirits. Famed for its warm ambience it makes for the perfect destination after a day on the mountain.
Hotel la Chaudanne, Méribel, France
Located in the heart of Méribel, Hotel la Chaudanne is a superb 4-star hotel suitable for families with children of all ages. A short walk sees you straight onto the slopes allowing you to make the absolute most of the time you have on holiday.
Enjoy warm, alpine style accommodation with a range of room sizes and suites on offer. All are comfortably furnished with en-suite bathrooms. Deluxe Family rooms are especially popular for those travelling with children – with separate lounge areas and a range of layouts including loft rooms sleeping up to 5 people.
A dedicated kids-teens area is provided at the hotel, allowing the children to escape and play with their friends. For the younger ones there is all day access to colouring, books, games and toys, whilst the teens will no doubt make the most of the PS4 games console with the latest games. And, for the ultimate in indulgence and a special treat for the kids, the spa has a dedicated menu just for them! Be warned, it may just hook them on the finer things in life!
Two restaurants and a lounge bar provide a range of high quality food and drink for guests. Le 80 Restaurant takes its name in part from the famous book and offers a dining experience with sumptuous dishes from around the world. For a decadent evening, why not try the 1 Michelin starred L’Ekrin which is located next door in the sister hotel. This cosy restaurant serves superb dishes prepared with the finest local ingredients. Definitely a treat for all the family!
For more information on any of these hotels please contact our dedicated travel consultants on +44 1993 899 420 or click here for more contact details. Although the featured hotels all have fantastic facilities for children there may be activities or services which need to be booked well in advance. For example, due to high demand, childcare providers and ski schools all book up very quickly. If you think you would like to take advantage of any of these services it is important they are organised as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
