Amy Adejokun
Section editor
Neither a hotel nor a residence, the management hasn't quite made up its mind about this former Best Western establishment. One thing's for sure, its apartments are brand new and fully-equipped. The only snag is that the hotel overlooks a car park.
The hotel is located in Chantemerle, a 5-minute walk from the centre, in front of the road that runs through the valley. The ski lifts are only a few minutes away and there is a bus stop a few hundred metres away.
All 56 apartments are decorated tastefully and are modern style. They were entirely renovated in 2010 and are designed to please the majority. The small apartments for 2 people have a separate bedroom and kitchen, all in a pleasant setting with bright colours and a good choice of materials. These, along with the bigger apartments able to accommodate up to 10 people, are a real success. They offer state-of-the-art amenities, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a flat-screen TV, and they're given a thorough clean at the end of each stay.
In terms of its architecture, the hotel has opted for a wooden chalet style. It is made up of 3 buildings all together. In the main chalet, you'll find the reception area and a very modern and pleasant lounge where a few armchairs are arranged around a designer coffee table. Adjacent to this relaxation area is the restaurant and the bar. The new residence has not yet decided what to offer its guests for breakfast, and this room is to undergo some changes shortly. However, the bar is sure to stay and that's a good thing, since after a day on the slopes, the motivation to drink is high, but to walk around town in search of a bar is not.
The well-being centre is one of the hotel's assets, but although this is a pleasant place, it is unfortunately very badly located. The outdoor swimming pool is close to the road and looks out onto the car park, making it not the most welcoming of areas. Nevertheless, the lighting in this area is fantastic in the evening. There are Turkish baths and a sauna, which will get rid of your skiing-induced aches and pains.
There is no restaurant in the residence A light breakfast is served as a buffet, as with all Best Western hotels. In 2011/2012, it is possible that these services will be no more, although no decisions have been made as of yet!
Breakfast is served in the restaurant room for guests who booked with Best Western, but this will no longer be the case next season.
sauna, hammam, spa
tennis, water skiing
The Alliey & Spa is a charming village hotel that appeals to aficionados of fine food who wish to combine their stay in the mountains with a good bit of pampering. However, the different levels of luxury between the guest rooms and the rest of the facilities might not live up to everyone's expectations.
The Boule de Neige is a charming little 10 room hotel located in an old building, and is perfect for couples and small families. It has the advantage of offering peace and quiet in a location close to the slopes and organised activities. It is a pity that more than half of the rooms are north-facing and that they are so small.
This hotel is only open during the winter, and although pleasant, it does lack charm. Despite the original Mediterranean style and a full range of facilities including a well-being space, there is a sense that something is missing, maybe a real breakfast room or a genuine spa, or perhaps harmony in the decor and ambience.
The MMV in Serre Chevalier is a family-friendly club hotel offering good value for money, provided you are not too picky when it comes to meal times. It offers full-board accommodation and entertainment and activities designed for guests both young and old.