Altapura provides luxury for all ages – adults and kids alike.
We were lucky enough to experience a long w/e at the wonderful Altapura hotel in Val Thorens last w/e and here is everything you need to know 😊
The Location:
Val Thorens, for those of you that don’t know it, is the HIGHEST ski resort in the Alps, with access to the full 3 valleys ski area…so you have guaranteed snow for the full ski season – not that this is an issue this season the snow levels are unreal!
The hotel, Altapura, part of the impressive portfolio of the Sibuet group, is situated at 2300m altitude and the hotel is simply beautiful…the interior design is spacious and stunning, with a soothing Scandi-cool-style and an emphasis on the use of light, the spectacular views and natural materials (wood, stone…). Our rooms had the most spectacular floor to ceiling views over the slopes…
The hotel is located at the entrance to the resort and its ski in/ski out location is perfect for families. The Plein Sud chairlift literally passes in front of the hotel 😉 so you can spot if a member of your group has cheekily snuck off for a quick beer on the south facing terrace (not mentionning anyone in particular – Daddy in the Mountains 😉) . We went with our three girls aged 3, 6 & 9. Our youngest, at the tender age of 3 is only just starting to “master” skiing…and has yet to understand the importance of turning – so the magic carpets and beginners’ slopes opposite the hotel are ideally situated for her straight lining. The hotel also has its very own ski shop (if you forget your poles like we did) and ski room (individual lockers/room) with a direct access to the slopes.
The rooms
The hotel has a mix of different rooms and suite configurations. We had two luxurious, South facing rooms, overlooking the slopes that could be interconnected via its entrance area. This was perfect for us. Our girls shared a room (twin beds and a sofa bed) and we got our very own room and some privacy 😉 (Yayyy) The rooms are spacious with a clean, modern design and every amenity you could wish for (safes, TV’s, mini bars, beautiful Pure Altitide spa products, complimentary home made bicuits, coffee/tea making facilities – for the record our eldest made us coffees in bed with the Nespresso machine on our first morning – we have trained her well 😉).
The girls were delighted to receive a gorgeous sheep to take to bed called “Felicie” and a cute colouring in book & crayons that takes the little sheep on a tour of the other hotels that the group owns 😉, which for the record look rather nice too. They also loved the turning down service with the sweets left on their beds and bottles of water on the bed side tables.
The COMPLIMENTARY KIDS CLUB (yes this deserves capital letters 😉)
Yes you read right – there is a complimentary kid’s Area for children aged from three to 12, every day from 12.30 pm to 8.30 pm run by a lovely lady called Chrystelle. I was a bit dubious my girls would want to go (normally they refuse categorically and would much rather be with us) …but after hanging out with another family of three girls *more on them later, who told them how AMAZING it was and the fun activities they had done – they were desperate to check it out. They settled nicely into a mosaic picture activity, even V our youngest was happy to be left “cooking” in the pretend kitchen. Daddy in the Mountains & I got an hour to ourselves (Bliss) and chilled out in the rather fabulous bar area…Happy days
The pool & spa
Guests have full access to the 1000m² Pure Altitude Spa & Pool area. This includes an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym. A range of treatments are available too. (You also get to test the lovely Pure altitude products in your room).
The kids LOVED the pool – diving in and alternating between the indoor/outdoor area and the jacuzzi. The hotel has cleverly put in place a no kids after 19h rule which ensures everyone can have their moment of there 😉
Food
The hotel boasts three restaurants. 2mille3, Les Enfants Terribles & La Laiterie* (*this one offers a fondu with truffles and a fondue with champagne – have to come back for this one day I think 😉.
We were there on a half board basis and tested 2mille3 (breakfast is also served here on the same basis). 2mille3 is fabulous – a buffet that is to quote a fellow guest “really in a league of its own”. The food is on a buffet service, and there are lots of super helpful staff on hand to assist, take drinks orders and help in any way they can.
The advantage of a buffet is that there is something for everyone…we indulged in seafood starters and lamb shanks, whilst my youngest opted for the usual pasta and parmesan with steak options and my eldest went crazy on the crudités and the fish…Everyone was happy 😊. The food was excellent, and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful. We even had seats overlooking the mountains …
Simple Pleasures – The atmosphere & people
The last thing I’d like to mention is probably one of the most special things. The atmosphere …There is a super friendly atmosphere in the hotel that facilitates relaxation and interaction. The hotel director sets the tone and infuses a great atmosphere…Emilie always makes time for everyone, knew our kids names straight away (that must be a huge challenge) and remains super professional…a real “peoples” person. They say happiness is always better when shared and we were lucky to share our little trip away. We made friends with another family from Austrailia who too had three young girls. We spotted each other in the restaurant on the first night and after the knowing glances (yes you too have three girls “aaggghhh style” mutual understanding ) we hung out with them pretty much for the rest of our stay. The girls quickly became a little gang, or should I say “pack” 😉 and we got on really well with the parents too. What a joy it was to stumble across this family and to see our kids racing down the slopes and chatting away happily together in English.
The VERDICT: We’d go back with our eyes shut…It was AMAZING.
FOR MORE DETAILS:
Altapura Website : Click here
To discover the instagram account of the Sibuet group: Click here
