Hotel guide to Val Thorens

Chalets and apartments are usually the most popular accommodation options when it comes to ski holidays. They tend to offer more room, more flexibility in terms of catering and, sometimes, better prices. However, hotels are also a great choice for those visiting Val Thorens, especially when you're not coming for a full week.

Why book a hotel room instead of a chalet or an apartment in Val Thorens?
If you aren't planning on a full week ski holiday, hotels can offer much more flexibility on dates, plus many can't be beaten in terms of extended services and facilities such as gourmet restaurants, spas, swimming pools, fitness rooms, tennis courts, childcare, bike and/or ski hire, flexible catering options... the choices are endless. And even though some apartment and chalet companies have recently made their booking requirements more flexible, the reality is that many can only be booked for six or seven days especially in peak season.

The highest ski resort in Europe, at 2,300m Val Thorens boasts an exciting range of five-star hotels. They all feature exquisite décor, fully-equipped spas, gourmet restaurants, lively lounge bars and large suites with fluffy beds and magnificent bathrooms.

Best luxury hotels in Val Thorens
These are the Val Thorens hotels that stand out from the rest thanks to their top-of-the-range facilities and services:

1. Pashmina Hotel
   What makes the Pashmina Hotel different from the other luxury hotels in Val Thorens is the chance to sleep in an 'igloo pod' on its rooftop, with only the stars above your head. Other than that, the hotel offers all the five-star amenities you can think of, including an in-house ski rental service and direct access to the slopes from the ski room.
   
2. Koh-I Nor Hotel
   Named after the huge diamond that is currently part of the British Crown Jewels, Koh-I Nor means "Mountain of Light" in Persian, and that's exactly what the hotel's designers have tried to recreate. Perched upon Val Thorens' heights, the building is bathed in light
   
3. Altapura Hotel
   Altapura Hotel is more of a boutique-style gem. Located right on the slopes, the hotel's décor is clean and minimalistic, creating an Alpine cocooning space. This is a good choice for families as it has a children's area, interconnecting rooms and even a dedicated concierge for children.
   
4. Fitz Roy Hotel
   A contemporary retreat, the Fitz Roy Hotel embodies the cosiness and warmth one expects from an Alpine refuge, from the library with a log fire to the slope-facing terrace. When staying here, you'll help to support Snow-Camp, a charity that aims to change the lives of young people from underprivileged inner-city backgrounds through skiing and snowboarding.

Val Thorens has a good selection of aparthotels (apartment buildings with hotel facilities) that are great for groups or families sharing accommodation.

Top group-friendly aparthotels in Val Thorens
These are our favourite apartment residences with hotel facilities and services in Val Thorens, offering spacious accommodation for groups.

1. Les Alpages de Reberty
   Four stone and wood chalets housing apartments for up to 10 people, Les Alpages de Reberty stands out thanks to its fully-equipped spa. It includes an indoor pool, a steam room, and several treatment rooms for facial and body treatments and massages.
   
2. Val 2400
   Constructed in a traditional Savoyard style, the Val 2400 Residence is home to 27 apartments that can accommodate up to 14 people. There's a range of facilities in the building including a relaxation space complete with sauna, a ski rental shop and the popular Le Red Fox Pub.

Most hotels in Val Thorens are more than happy to welcome young children and many of them offer family rooms. However, there are many other things to consider, such as distance to the pistes, amenities and services within the hotel and facilities in the neighbouring area.

Best family-friendly hotels in Val Thorens
This is where we'd book a room if we were travelling with young children.

1. Fahrenheit Seven Hotel
   You don't have to give up your dreams of a lavish holiday if you're travelling with your children. The four-star Fahrenheit Seven Hotel is a top-class hotel boasting lots of family-specific features such as interconnecting rooms, easy access to ski schools, kindergarten and slopes, a wide range of kid's menus and a games room. Adults will enjoy its cocktail bar, sauna, hammam and fun, vintage style.
   
2. Hameau du Kashmir Hotel
   The four-star Hameau du Kashmir Hotel is a charming family-friendly hotel offering large interconnecting suites and small studios where the little ones will feel at home. High chairs, cots and baby baths are available upon request. The hotel also has an elegant spa and two gourmet restaurants.
   
3. Le Menuire Hotel
   The Le Menuire Hotel is located in the town of Les Menuires, offering ski-to-door access. As well as an all-inclusive experience ranging from meals and drinks to ski coaching, they have ski lessons for children between two and 12 years old including pick-up and drop-off and lunch and snacks, a babysitting service and private nannies.

There are plenty of budget hotels in Val Thorens offering decent quality rooms at reasonable prices. Many are located in the resort centre, making them a good place to base yourself on your mountain biking or ski holiday while saving some money at the same time.

Top best-value hotels in Val Thorens
In our opinion these hotels offer the most 'bang for your buck'.

1. UCPA
   For those on a tighter budget, the UCPA is located just within a 15-minute walk from the centre of resort, set in the middle of the pistes. They offer a fully inclusive package, lift pass, equipment hire, instructors, breakfast, lunch and dinner plus they put on an entertainment programme each week to give you extra things to do once the sun goes down.
   
2. L'Isatis Chalet Hotel
   Located in Les Menuires, L'Isatis Hotel is a traditional chalet-style hotel that offers ski-in and ski-out access, with the Bruyeres 1 gondola station right in front. This three-star establishment has simple but comfortable rooms and a very lively après-ski ambience at slightly cheaper prices than the hotels in Val Thorens centre.

Most of the hotels in the Val Thorens area boast easy access to the pistes and ski lifts, either sitting right next to the foot of the slopes or just a short trip away by one of the free local buses.

Our favourite hotels near the lifts
If we were to choose, these would be our favourite hotels in Val Thorens with ski-to-door access.

1. Hillary Hotel
   In Les Menuires, the three-star Hillary Hotel is situated near the Doron chairlift and close to the pistes, so you can ski right to its door and enjoy an après-ski drink on its sunny terrace or relax in its sauna after a long day on the slopes.
   
2. Tango Hotel
   In the centre of Val Thorens, very close to the pistes as well as the shops, restaurants and bars in the resort, is the Tango Hotel. It offers stylish rooms, a complete spa with beauty treatments and massages and a very lively bar with live music in the evening.
   
3. Val Chaviere Hotel
   At Val Chaviere Hotel you can put your boots on in their ski room and slide directly onto the slopes. When you return to the hotel in the evenings, take part in one of their fondue nights with live music or relax in their games room.