 Poster: A snowHead
|
Hello. Do any Snowheads have experience of Thompson chalets in Meribel?
Having had a nightmare experience in Les Arcs with Ski Total (chef sacked halfway through the week, you get the general picture), I thought I'd ask around this time. I have a reservation until tomorrow on Chalet Sandy in the centre and its a really good deal through Ski Solutions, but Thompson run the chalet. It has 4 crowns, which is meaningless to me!  Any comments on food/chalet staff etc. greatly received!
Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
Beverley, I have used Thomson many times without any problems and would recommend them. I havent stayed at the Chalet quoted but I would suggest you also price them via thomsons, crystal, and ski deals - same companies different prices.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
THOMSON!!! JESUS (pedantic- moi? )
I know a few people who have worked as Chalet hosts for Thomson and Crystal, lets just say they'd applied to do maintenance!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Beverley, A big company like Thomson may well change nearly all the resort staff every season.
It is not like asking about the smaller chalet companies run by their owners.
It is pot luck really - unless the Thomsons Meribel manager is also a Snowhead and can provide an answer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Beverley, Never been to Meribel, Never stayed in a chalet. But my last dealings with Thomson resulted in a long argument and eventual substantial refund. I would rather stay home than use them again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Beverley, Used them once a few years ago. We exchanged letters afterwards and received a large proportion of the holiday cost as a refund.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In general I think you are better off with a smaller specialist rather than one of the bigger outfits like Thomson. I am surprised you had a bad experience with Ski Total as they have a generally good reputation. A friend of mine uses them every year, and he has been skiing since he was a nipper, so he knows the difference between good & bad service. If it was just the chef that was bad, and he got the sack, you are more likely to meet him again by going with Thomson instead of Total!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you insist on Meribel then try www.skiolympic.co.uk
They also do Courchevel, or try www.silverski.co.uk fpr La Tania and La Praz (both lower Courchevel villages). Not too pricey but a very good service from both companies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IncogSkiSno is right. It really is a lottery. I've never had any probs with Thomson though and have used them more than once.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Silverski also have about 6 chalets in meribel, I know one guy who is going out there this year, in Azalee I think- amazing chef!
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Nadenoodlee, I forgot they had chalets in Meribel. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beverley, I stayed there last xmas (with Thompsons)
Staff & thus dervice will be different for you.
Location : Sandy is below the centre so a walk up the hill every morning (there is a ski bus but I never bothered waiting). you cannot ski back to the door.
It is on the main road just below a T junction, which wraps around behind the chalet so the traffic noise was an issue for light sleepers (not me  )
Clean and modern - but no fireplace which would have been nice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Just returned from this chalet run by crystal, to say a disappointment is an understatement. The food was rubbish and non existent, we complained but it did not improve. Paid a lot of money and received really poor service, shame on crystal for ripping us off, chalet host was young student who had no experience in cooking or being a host. Not completely hosts fault as food seemed to be rationed by crystal. Crystal customer service was very poor. Chalet also tacky and run down, did not even have its own hoover. Skied in Austria and Andora several times, please do your self a favor and avoid this chalet and crystal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
| mollymalone wrote: |
| Just returned from this chalet run by crystal, to say a disappointment is an understatement. The food was rubbish and non existent, we complained but it did not improve. Paid a lot of money and received really poor service, shame on crystal for ripping us off, chalet host was young student who had no experience in cooking or being a host. Not completely hosts fault as food seemed to be rationed by crystal. Crystal customer service was very poor. Chalet also tacky and run down, did not even have its own hoover. |
Did you really pay the same amount as for Austria. Crystal is known for being the cheap end of the market.
Maybe you just were unlucky or Maybe next time spend more money.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
|
mollymalone, welcome to Snowheads. Sorry you had a disappointing holiday. Where were you? I'm confused by the dates and names on this thread. Who is Beverley? What is she? (cue for a song.....).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
|
|
|
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?
|
mollymalone, if you are going to complain to Crystal please do not waste your time on the telephone, you will get no-where, will lose hours of your life and they will lose transcripts of the calls. Only communicate in writing - recorded delivery...and dont expect it to come to anything 
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
|
Shimmy Alcott, my last TO holiday was at the Hotel Falken through Crystal at Wengen. Based on that experience I'd recommend them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
achilles, we stayed in a super hotel in Alpes d'Huez with them too...we were rather rude on the Gala Evening night though as we couldnt eat the Oysters or Foie Gras (not pate, just the liver...very rare) 
I however wouldnt recommend them - as we were told on the telephone booking that the accommodation was close to the child care (they were at complete opposite ends of the resort, including Bergers).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
