Residence Maeva Les Chalets de Valmorel

The location for skiing is good but the accommodation is very tatty. It doesn't look like it has been decorated since the 1976 or whenever it was built. Wifi is 20 Euros and doesn't work. Yes this is correct in 2016! Check-in took an hour and you can only do this from 5pm onwards. If you want to know what to bring the answer is everything. Toaster, hairdryer, decent towel, multiple plug socket as there was only one plug in the living room, bleach to stop the toilet stinking. The views are good. The choice of places to eat limited and they are expensive with very similar menus. The views were however good and there was hot water.

We had a two room appartment in April 2013 for one off the last weeks of the ski season. The room was a little worn but had everything that we needed for a weeks stay with 2 small children. The appartment block was almost empty due to the end of season, our appartment block was certainly ski in- ski out with a balcony and I believe that it was ideally situated for the lifts and slopes. The resort is very good for familys and child friendly. We will return and would book these appartments again.

Stayed for a week in Valmorel arriving on a Friday. Because this is outside the 'normal week' for most chalets, the choice of apartments was limited. We booked an 8 bed unit for 3 people via Maeva who promised a 'nice apartment' with a 'view of the mountain'. First shock was that the reception is on the other side of the village from the apartment, meaning going through multiple sets of the parking booms, getting tickets, inserting tickets etc. Next shock – being handed our bed linen on check-in. It begins to dawn that this might be more basic than the price would suggest. Eventually checked in – the staff forgot to give us the lift tickets as booked, so had to return the following day as reception closed early on Friday. Next shock was the rabbit warren that is the Risseau apartments. No lift, no help with bags, and a long trek through dark corridors to our apartment. Worst shock – the tiny, dingy and smelly apartment decorated circa 1983. Two beds in the lounge room – one with pullout meant three people were meant to sleep in a 9’ square room. Bedroom two was 8’ square with a double bunk and a small single bed. A small bathroom with tiny shower served the 6 people downstairs. Bedroom three upstairs had two single beds and a larger bathroom (go figure) and was reached by a narrow and very steep staircase. Two dim bedside lamps failed to clear the gloom that was due to the tiny window that, not surprisingly , looked straight into the bedroom of the apartment next door. So much for the ‘mountain view’. The miniscule kitchenette had no toaster and plates and cups that were chipped and stained. We made fools of ourselves the next day by asking to be supplied with duvets – only to be assured these were already on the bed. A subsequent check confirmed that the beds did indeed have paper-thin duvets fitted – they just looked like tatty mattress protectors. In summary, these apartments would be fine for anyone under 21 with no sense of smell or any sense of comfortable accommodation. For anyone who expects reasonable quality accommodation and modern facilities – this property is NOT for you.