HOTEL WALSER

I wavered on whether this was a two or three star review. The Walser (sometimes described as a hotel, other times as a hostel) is effectively an annexe of the traditional Hotel Tenne, about 150 metres away. You check in at the Tenne and the reception was warm, friendly and helpful. Sadly, the atmosphere at the Walser is anything but. It feels deserted and neglected. The room was fine, although furnishings were dated. The room was also immaculately cleaned each day. The small fridge was also very useful. But don't be fooled by the pictures on here or on various websites. The lounge area is completely neglected and could not be described as a comfortable place to sit. The promised vending machines are nowhere to be seen. Ski deposit is close to the Alpin Express lift, but the ski room in the Walser itself was a tip. There's a peculair code machine for wi-fi but the signal was weak and not conducive to doing anything online. On the plus side, it is handy for the bus terminal and bars and restaurants. And, underlining it all, is the fact that it's among the cheapest en-suite rooms in the whole Saas valley. Whether that's enough is down to personal choice, I think, but not certain I will be returning!

For the most reasonable price, Hotel Walser is one of the best accommodation choices in the expensive resort of Saas Fee. There is no reception at this hotel in the middle of the village and no bar or restaurant but you collect your keys from the owner who, with his wife, runs another hotel just 5 minutes walk away. They are a charming and very helpful couple. The Walser is close to several bars, restaurants, cafes and a supermarket, about 12 minutes walk from the village nursery slopes, and a short walk from the bus station. The hotel qualifies for you to use a locked and heated storage room for your skis, boots and poles just a few minutes walk from the nursery slopes. Our double room was a reasonable size with a small shower room with a loo and basin; separate duvets; a big, flat-screen TV with good reception and English channels; and a good balcony with excellent views towards the mountains and slopes. Shower toiletries are provided and the room was cleaned immaculately every day and towels changed. A couple of minor criticisms - the hairdryer is poor and quickly got too hot to handle and the single pillows were inadequate for us. All things being considered, we would definitely choose the hotel Walser if visiting Saas Fee again!

Hotel Walser is sometimes listed as a hostel and sometimes a hotel and is also on AirB&B! We found it more like hotel without a reception, bar or restaurant. The charming owners have a hotel also in the centre of Saas Fee about 5 minutes walk away and that is where you pick up your keys and information. The double room had two separate comfortable beds with duvets, a large flat-screen TV with English channels, and a small but adequate en-suite shower room. We had a 3rd. floor room with a nice balcony with an excellent view of the mountains. They also have a heated room by a ski-hire shop and near the village nursery slopes where you can ditch your skis, poles and boots. The room was cleaned immaculately every day and fresh towels, toiletries etc. provided. Very central for the bus stop, a wide range of shops and a few bars and eating establishments. The nearby night-club, open from 10pm-4am, did not cause any noise problems. We were pleasantly surprised and impressed by the standard of the accommodation - the cheapest we could find in Saas Fee at the end of March the week before Easter in what is quite an expensive resort. The owners are very friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay here again if visiting Saas Fee in winter or summer!