Les Chalets Du Jardin Alpin

We had a big group of 10 and really enjoyed our stay. Very nice reception staff, well equipped kitchen, new and clean rooms, sufficient space and nice ski out facility. Also very reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend for big groups.

The Apartments are a little way out of town, about a 10 minute walk in and a 12-15 minute walk back, but there is a good free bus service that runs every 15 minutes from which you can walk the last 2-300m into town or catch another bus into the centre. To ski into town is a doddle if the snow is good as the piste to town runs right below Chalet no.1, but the run back needs plenty of good snow to be open, it wasn't for the 2 weeks we were there in late December. The apartments are not as large as the photos suggest, but they are well equipped with kitchen appliances (even if there is precious little room to prepare any food), with plenty of crockery, pans and cutlery. The beds are supremely comfortable, there is endless hot water and decent showers, and the apartment temperature can be fairly easily controlled. So a bit cramped and of course horrible Val d'Isere prices but comfortable by French standards. The boot room is clean and adequate if again cramped with just one bench. The sauna spa requires swimming trunks beware, you cannot expect to use it with just a towel as in most parts of the alps. More to the point there is a horrible smell like drains from around the spa area during the day time, we never understood where it was coming from and were glad our apartment was higher up. The apartments are noisy, especially from outside with delivery vans and skidoos starting at 7.30am and revellers returning from town into the small hours, but that's probably rot be expected for a party town like Val. The front desk staff are unbelievably polite, helpful and efficient. Marine and her colleague could not be more responsive or professional, nothing is too much trouble and every request is met with a smile. They are the standout stars at Les Chalet du Jardin Alpin, without a doubt.

It is actually Les Chalets du Jardin Alpin II (it's across the street from the original, which is a residential block). Nice enough but minor details saw it drop stars. Rooms are dated, lack of usb charging points was felt. A back door without working mag-locks, small board / ski stash cupboards (couldn't fit even half the gear in). Pillow selection wasn't great. Several in our group struggled with the beds, said they were firm. I'm quite heavy and slept well. After a long drive to get there the person meeting us was late getting to us, though coming from in resort.