Expert guide to Avoriaz
Avoriaz is very much an apartment-based resort and started off aiming at mid-market/budget clientele with small basic apartments.
In recent years much more luxurious apartments have been built and a few UK catered chalet operators have moved in too. Although not really thought of as a hotel-based resort, there are also some interesting hotel options.
Hotels
Saskia Falaise
Located in a number of separate buildings near the entrance to the resort, the studio or one-bedroom Saskia Falaise apartments are basic, but have great views, balconies and are ski-in/ski-out.
Price: £
L’Amara
This five-star ski-in/ski-out residence is perched right on the edge of the cliff by the entrance to the resort and has fabulous views over the Morzine valley. L’Amara is made up of five interconnected buildings housing 204 high-quality one- to five-bedroom apartments, all with south or south-west facing balconies. The fabulous Deep Nature Spa has a large swimming pool, children’s pool, steam room, saunas, hot tubs and fitness area. There’s also an in-house nursery for children aged three to 12.
Price: ££
Hotel Cimes du Soleil
Part of the French Belambra group of club hotels and resorts, the Cimes du Soleil is a family-friendly place with an all-season kids’ club for three to five year olds. There is another for six to 17 year olds on peak season dates. It is central but with ski-in/ski-out access, a sunny terrace and 252 rooms. Breakfast and dinner are buffet-style, with free wine with dinner, and evening entertainment is laid on.
Price:££
Hotel des Dromonts
The original ski-in/ski-out hotel in Avoriaz, built in 1966, the four-star Hotel des Dromonts was taken over in 2014 by the Sibouet family, which runs very smart hotels in Megève, Val Thorens and the south of France. It was completely renovated in 1960s retro-style, with fabric wall coverings, plush carpets and lots of red cedar wood. Rooms vary from cosy 18sqm Classic rooms to a 44sqm family suite. There’s a lounge with an open fire, a bar, a choice of two restaurants and the Pure Altitude spa with saunas, steam room, fitness room, outdoor hot tub and three treatment rooms.
Price: £££
Hotel Les Lans
A small family-run three-star, Hotel Les Lans is in the quiet old hamlet of Les Prodains, 650 vertical metres below Avoriaz and reachable on skis by blue, red or black pistes. It makes an interesting alternative to staying in Avoriaz itself and is just 100m from the gondola up to Avoriaz (which runs until around 9pm each evening). It has a good reputation for food and serves a four-course dinner every evening. It is also a 15-minute bus ride from the slopes of Morzine.
Price: £
Book it: From £609 with Crystal.
Chalets and apartments
Chalet Beluga
A luxury chalet right by the piste in the centre of Avoriaz, Beluga was designed and built for tour operator VIP and opened for the 2018. The décor is smart and modern, with lots of wood. The large open plan living/dining room features a log fire, comfy sofas, a music system, balcony and splendid panoramic views. All five en-suite bedrooms have flat screen TVs, most have balconies and two have bunks as well as a double bed. Plus there is a steam room and a small pool in the basement.
Price: £££
Book it: From £1,449 with VIP Chalets.
Booking.com rates above are guide prices per person per night, please note that packages can differ across accommodation. Owing to the current coronavirus pandemic, these rates may change. Please check the properties’ websites for further information on what’s included.
Unless stated otherwise,package prices are per person, based on two sharing a double or twin room half-board for seven nights, including flights and transfers.