 Poster: A snowHead
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Does anyone have any reviews for Belambra Club hotels - particularly the all-in options?
Are they just the new-club med? Always had a “view” on these, we used to stay in an apartment by the Wengen one and my folks always jokingly turned their noses up but I’ve spied a good deal for Les Arc so wondering if it’s worth it?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Are they just the new-club med?
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Definitely not the new anything. Been around a long time. A downmarket version, I guess. That, at least, is the local reputation of the Belambra in Les Saisies, the only one I know about. It's very well placed for the slopes, some miles out of the main resort centre, by road. Reliable bus service. I would have no hesitation staying there if the price was right. I suspect that, in Saisies at any rate, the vast majority of the customers are French.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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They took over the Diva in Val Claret Tignes. Everybody I know seems happy with what they pay, Club Med it is not.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Went to the Moraine one a few years ago for a long weekend. It was fairly cheap but room was absolutely fine (though small) and the food was average as was the (included) wine at dinner which is exactly what I expected to be honest. Would use them again no problem but if I wanted a luxury experience, it wouldn't be my choice!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Belambra 2000? : stayed there last year
You get what you pay for
Buffet style dining
Breakfast was a mess - very few staff, therefore no one to replace crockery/cutlery ; when the food was gone, it was gone
Evening meal -- very different : Chef with big hat outside checking on things ; food was good, but again, when it was gone it was gone..
Right on slopes, top position
Hotel looks a bit 'tired' but so does the whole resort....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for clarifying - I retract my club med statement! 
It’s the 1800 le golf not the 2000, rather stay at 1800 from previous experience.
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Hotel du Golf ?
That is much better ! : virtually ski out - ski in (just across a path to the piste)
Smarter, Cleaner
But, I stayed there before Belambra took over...
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Stayed at the Belambra Clubs "Les Cimes du Soleil" in Avoriaz last year, definitely geared towards French families with kids, offering lots of in-house entertainment, but we enjoyed our stay, and definitely a great alternative to the catered chalets we usually try and book.
We arrived before our rooms were available so couldn't check-in, there was some inconvenience trying to find somewhere to change and dump our luggage, but after that was resolved absolutely no complaints at all.
Dining room had a huge buffet with an array of options at meal times with wine on tap, a food truck on the balcony served pancakes/waffles/vin chaud at tea time, and a well stocked hotel bar offered guests a decent selection of beers and spirits that were all included (we made good use of that).
The entertainment team was also impressive, putting on various evening shows, a cabaret, quizzes, and a casino night during the week.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Stayed at the one in Les Arcs 2000 two years ago - Probably not doing it again. There is nothing wrong with the place, if you consider the price you (we) payed, but it IS a budget vacation option. Staff was nice, but the food was only good 3 out of 7 evenings. Rooms was definitely needed a makeover.
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They are definitely way below Club Med in terms of luxury as a brand. However I stayed in Hotel du Golf years ago pre Belambra and it is in an excellent location and I'd imagine this is one of their better hotels and worth considering. It looks a lot better than their hotel in Les Saisies for example.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I’ve gone with an SC apartment in the end, du Golf plus all the necessary extras was too far over the budget - plus I’m fussy (over quality) when it comes to dining experience so given we are going at Easter I didn’t fancy risking the “busy-ness” at meals.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The food would certainly be important for me, but whether rooms needed a "makeover" wouldn't. I need a room which is warm, has enough storage (why do so many places have too few hooks, for example for an entire family's worth of jackets), a good strong shower (this is usually OK in France given their high water pressure) plenty of hot water and a comfy bed. Whether it is 1970s French beige (possibly with that unique brown felt stuff on the walls) or 2023 trendy grey and beige doesn't bother me in the least and I certainly wouldn't want to pay extra for the latter. Would pay for the optimum location, though.
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| pam w wrote: |
| The food would certainly be important for me, but whether rooms needed a "makeover" wouldn't. I need a room which is warm, has enough storage (why do so many places have too few hooks, for example for an entire family's worth of jackets), a good strong shower (this is usually OK in France given their high water pressure) plenty of hot water and a comfy bed. Whether it is 1970s French beige (possibly with that unique brown felt stuff on the walls) or 2023 trendy grey and beige doesn't bother me in the least and I certainly wouldn't want to pay extra for the latter. Would pay for the optimum location, though. |
I’m with you, I’m not fussy about the room as long as the bed is comfy and the reasons listed above, and I also have a love for the 70s era decor (the apartment we had in Wengen had these gorgeous brown-orange tiles and lamps that would be worth silly money now!)
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You know it makes sense.
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We've done Belambra in Les Menuires half board twice. It's cheap and nasty. Think 'Premier Classe' French 2* rooms, medium size, comfy beds, but very worn furniture, carpet etc. Shower was ok. The food was plentiful but nothing fancy. If you don't get down early it's very picked over, and there were illnesses circulating both times. Thankfully we had our own kit as the hire stuff was limited and old. Ok for absolute beginners I guess.
So it all depends on where you're coming from. If you're used to Club Med or 3*+ you'll hate it. If you're used to pasta in draughty cramped studios then it's a nice break. We paid about £600 half board including wine for 2 of us for the week. I wouldn't pay any more than that.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Just completed a week at hotel du golf in Arc 1800. Hotel room was small but clean and comfortable. Hotel has an excellent location right near the Vagere lift.
The staff in the attached skiset hire shop were very helpful an patient in making sure we got well fitting boots.
All inclusive buffet food in the hotel was adequate with a decent selection, but I wouldn't say anything particularly special. There was an option to have one meal in a cheese restaurant (declined as we're not keen on the fondue thing) and another meal in an a la carte restaurant. All inclusive drinks were good but wasted on us as we're not big drinkers.
Worst thing was we lost a couple days skiing due to sickness bug that seemed to be impacting a number of people in the hotel at the same time. Not sure if it was food poisoning or norovirus.
Overall I probably won't be in a hurry to stay there or in a similar place again - but my overall impression would have been much better if we didn't get ill...
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