Altapura Hôtel & Spa Val Thorens

Only arrived today but wanted to post this in case it could help some due to arrive that may wish to reconsider. So far the experience has been underwhelming despite the aesthetic appeal of the building and facilities. The room is only a Club room but sold as Mountain Views. I am not sure room 309 counts as the view is squeezed between protruding sides of the building. I asked to move and despite having 50 room changes due tomorrow (according to the ski shop) they said only option was a worse view away from the mountains and two floors down. They don’t care. The room is also unbearably warm and the air conditioning must be set centrally as despite being on lowest and maximum the room is too warm to sleep. We have tried the Italian (lunch) and Asian (dinner) restaurants so far. The Italian was average at best and the Asian bordered on inedible in terms of the Tuna in orange sauce and the bok Choi, with the other dishes remarkably average. The other surprise was ordering Ruinart champagne and being asked if ok to drink from wine glasses as they had run out of champagne glasses. Then they found some glasses but the champagne arrived at room temperature! A change to white wine didn’t help much as that arrived warm. The bus shuttle took 25 minutes to arrive to collect from the centre and it seems they only operate one bus. It’s quite a wait in minus 7 and the hotel is on the extremity of the village so an efficient shuttle is essential. Only positive so far has been the service at the ski shop for the rental equipment which was excellent.

We stayed at Altapura over New Year 24/25. The main thing to point out is the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff. Each team member was excellent. They create a warm and friendly atmosphere, where you feel like you are at home. The effort they all put in to your comfort is outstanding. The rooms are well laid out, however there's not a great deal of room for bulky luggage. The spa is fantastic and a welcomed treat after a long day of skiing. The position of the hotel is great. Whilst is is ski in/ski out, you are able to walk into town and when skiing, it is placed near the bottom of the slopes, near many different lifts. If is also excellent for families as it's located close to the beginner/nursery slopes. I would definitely recommend this hotel to the discerning traveller and families alike.

Not a 5 star hotel. The food is the worst I have ever eaten. This was mentioned by Suzanne E in January 24 and I can confirm this. Food is served on cold plates no hot plates. A buffet section where baked beans for breakfast are cold, sausages are white and inedible. Bacon cold and if you want a fried egg the chef has too cook it for you and served up lukewarm. The evening meal is buffet but always cold. The choices are truly shocking the only thing that is nice is bread as they cannot make that. Seriously don’t eat here my 2 friends in party of 11 which cost close to £25k on a package deal with Inghams went down with food poisoning due to eating oysters at the hotel. No doctor on site so friends had to stay in their room for 2 days. Truly shocking and ruined our holiday. Asked for a twin bed and was given a double bed. Window in the room wasn’t closed properly and couldn’t get it fixed till next day.

Having had the best review from friends some 12 years ago, saying how amazing it was, and that we should all stay here, one of our group managed to secure a group half biard booking for us all to go, costing £25k there abouts. The hotel, not a 5* for so many reasons, its in need of some tlc on decor, restaurant was very basic, food limited, almost every night cold, tepid, with cold plates, but dessert plates warm. One night we had chicken and chips no better than cheap basket food, £5 you'd pay the most for it. The kitchen staff changed every sitting and every day, no one consistent in the kitchen. Two friends had food poisoning, they were the only ones to have oysters. Me and two ithers had plastic in our soup, seemed to have been added to the blender. Drinks tarrif varied in the bar, I paid three different prices for the same gin and tonic ranging from 21 euros to 17 euros. A number of staff in the bar and restaurant were rude, impersonal and seemed poorly trained in hospitality. On dealing with mistakes language issues seemed to be blamed. Our room was ok, clean towels daily, but cups etc went missing and had to be asked for. Hotel felt tired, and the staff too, I'll equipped to manage tasks. For a miserable culture to develop it seems that this is from the top and filtered down. The only nice thong was the hotel ski shop, who helped me with my skis. The spa had lots of children in it and parents didn't seem to take notice of the times kids could be in the spa. Although ordinarily I wouldn't mind so much, but it wasn't managed by the hotel staff. I've skied Val Thorens before, it's beautiful, I'd never stay at this hotel, nor any hotels associated to it, seems like its been ruined since it became a chain, sadly. Too expensive, badly run, tired, and not up to a 5* standard they've labled it as.

This hotel is outstanding, the location on the slopes is first class, the spa is a fabulous luxury to have in a hotel in this location. The staff are amongst the most professional and friendly I have come across in any hotel in the world. The food is delicious both breakfast and lunch, the shuttle into town and back is also a welcome addition especially when it’s snowing. Looking forward to our return.

We’ve just left after a week in Altapura and highly recommend. We were a big group of families with kids and skiers of all levels. Location of the resort is amazing - right on the slopes and terrace is fab for soaking up the views and the atmosphere. Rooms are great and super comfy - we had one with a small room off it for our kids which worked great. It’s ski in ski out which is awesome, and really convenient for ski school. The ski shop set up is brilliant and staff couldn’t have been more helpful. The spa and pool is great - we used most evenings and the kids loved it. Kids club is great bonus too - our kids loved it. We didn’t do half board and went out most nights - van service to drop and collect you anywhere in the time was brilliant. Concierge was great and all the staff were really friendly. Overall top class luxury and relaxed vibe in a super location with great skiing. Only suggestions which are minor is to increase the temperature of the pool, and keep the kids club open a bit later (restaurants only open at 7 and kids club closes at 8 compared to 9pm in most other resorts we have stayed in). Terrace food was great as was Italian. Buffet a little disappointing. Will be back next year! Thanks for a great stay.