 Poster: A snowHead
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Best winter holiday to date accomodation wise for me was a catered chalet for 12 (our group was 10 of that), closely followed by self catered with hotels lagging way behind.
Our mob of 12 has chosen Mayrhofen for this season (which none of us have been to before) and it seems like we're going to have to do the half board hotel thing.
What is your accommodation type of choice and has anyone got any recommendations for the 'Hof?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Josef K, catered chalet would be my preferred choice every time, then half board hotel, then self catered but it does depend on where you're going as well. I'd rather have the food all in house but lots of people do prefer the self catered option or Bed & Breakfast so they can choose where to eat each evening. Are there not any catered chalets for you to consider in Mayrhofen? Must be loads of Pensions where you can choose where to have your evening meal.
Ordhan is a knowledgable chap about Mayrhofen, he recommended to me the Sporthotel Strass, which is half board, right by the Ice Bar at the foot of the Penken gondola as far as I know. I've not been there yet to try it though. Another half board option I've heard is popular is the Kramerwirt but that is not next to the lifts like the Strass, it is a short bus journey as far as I know, the bus stop is outside the hotel I think.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Wed 15-10-08 22:58; edited 1 time in total
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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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Have done all types and have no preference. S/C gives great flexibility but despite the reasons for S/C (cost) we have tended to eat out for all meals inc. breakfast.
Catered chalet, equally great, catering, cleaning and apres all taken care of but can feel a little regimented.
Hotel b&B takes the worry out of getting fed before hitting the slopes and sourcing breakfast (be honest if doing S/C then apart from tea/cpffee and cereals you can't be bothered doing anything more complicated so will eat out (maybe this applies to boys trips only?).
Have no strong preference but a leaning towards hotel.
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I've done mostly catered chalet, but also a few times in HB hotel.
If travelling solo, I'd go for the catered chalet normally. Usually end up with a fairly decent sociable crowd. Although saying that, the 2 times I stayed in hotel I was seated on a table with other like minded skiers.
Stayed in the Neuhaus in Mayrhofen twice. Would stay there again, but you really need to get the skibus up to the lifts (it stops right outside the Neuhaus and Kramerwirt), else it's a good 5min trek. Strass is much closer.
Ice bar was insane. It shut at 8pm when I was there... and was pretty much trashed by that time! Just don't leave your skis/boards in the huge stash right outside.
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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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andy,
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If travelling solo, I'd go for the catered chalet normally.
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But don't your fellow chalet guests think it a little strange - solo guy in a chalet? IME chalets are for couples/small groups/families/large groups. Singletons in Chalet? A bit weird even for  s
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I stayed in Mayrhofen a few years ago in one of the "small and friendly snowhomes" as advertised by a well known tour operator. These often come half-board with the evening meal in one of the larger hotels. The place I was dropped off at was right on the edge of town close to the railway station, a fair walk to the town and penken lift. Although the snowhome rooms are advertised as coming with an ensuite, I had to walk to the floor above to use a shared shower; not great. Evening meal was at the Berghof Hotel which is a nice place but I almost fell asleep waiting between courses, the two waiters were overworked beyond belief at new year. The impression I got was that if you're not staying in the hotel you're always at the end of the queue when the food is served. I kept myself amused thinking about that Monty Python dirty fork sketch (or was it a spoon?). Needless to say, I'll be avoiding Mayrhofen "snowhomes" in the future. If you're going half-board, best to go for an established hotel, especially with a large group. I'm back in Mayrhofen over new year but just staying in a b & b pension, I prefer these in Austria when I go skiing alone and Mayrhofen is an established town with loads of eateries so, plenty of choice but choosing may be difficult with a mob. Sorry I can't recommend a hotel but someone on here must be able to.
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andy, Fair dos mate - may be doing the same meself this year
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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check out the size of the hotel as they may indeed not be big enough to do evening dinners and they give you a voucher to eat in a larger hotel..
The dinner then tends to be a fixed menu meal, which may not always work well.
3* plus... or 4* and you should be fine.
I don't really care too much about accom arrangements and am happy with all of them...for me, its get the carbs in, a few beers, relax and zzzz's
Mayrhofen is quite lively tho, so you want to be in the bars for around 2130...
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Josef K, I've stayed in Mayrhofen several times in either half board hotel (Strass - very nice), B & B (eating out in a different restaurant each evening - OK but can get a bit pricy) and with TOs (usually on late deals) B & B in a Pension with evening meal in a designated hotel nearby - this was fine too, and the hotel was always a higher standard than the Pension. As Kelskii, says, the Pension may or may not be in a good location and often doesn't have en suite. My friend once booked this type of thing, and had to shower in a cubicle in the basement, alongside the laundry room, AND had to pay extra per shower! Depends on what you want, your budget and how comfortable and convenient you want everything to be, but there are some very nice half board hotels in Mayrhofen, which offer good accommodation, public areas, food and service. They're just not cheap 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I prefer the freedom of a H/B hotel. More space, more people, bar etc. Found catered chalets a bit limiting and can end up with tossers you don't like either.
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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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But don't your fellow chalet guests think it a little strange - solo guy in a chalet? IME chalets are for couples/small groups/families/large groups. Singletons in Chalet? A bit weird even for snowHead
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Absolutely not. We stayed in a number of catered chalets in the past, and always enjoyed it. Mostly there was at least one "singleton" - all men, as it happens. I remember two of them in particular. One who was prepared to stay out in the cold building a snowman with the kids when the parents had all resorted to a hot shower, and another who arrived at 2 am after a late transfer and slept on the couch in the living room rather than disturb his roommate - a guy also memorable for having the most incredible fluorescent fart bag you've ever seen, which clashed magnificently with his ginger hair. He was the best skier in the chalet and tended to ski on his own, or with the guide on his day off, but joined in the evening socialising and was a thoroughly positive addition to the mix. I've also stayed on on my own in a chalet when husband had to go home to sort out problem when a freak tornado took half our roof off.
There is absolutely nothing "weird" about being a solo traveller! I've travelled solo a good deal for work, including long overseas trips, so perhaps it seems more usual for me than for some. On ski holidays, up to now, I've always been with the family (though sometimes I did wish they'd go away so I wouldn't have to spend all my mornings organising their gloves,ski passes, Kleenex tissues, choc bars etc). I wouldn't like to do a self-catering holiday on my own, that would be really lonely, but a biggish chalet, or a hotel - no problem.
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You know it makes sense.
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[quote="pam w"][ There is absolutely nothing "weird" about being a solo traveller! quote]
Hear, Hear! My first ski holiday was on my own, and I had a ball! If others thought I was weird, they hid it well, and we all had a very nice holiday. I've done it again since and would now if necessary. Rather that, than not ski at all....
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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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| johnboy wrote: |
| I prefer the freedom of a H/B hotel. More space, more people, bar etc. Found catered chalets a bit limiting and can end up with tossers you don't like either. |
I agree! Also, catered chalet you will be with all Brits. I prefer staying in a hotel, eating local cuisine and exchanging the odd few pleasantries in French/German etc. I like to feel I'm on holiday! We've never had close to a poor time in hotel. Next second best would be B&B, but in a town where there is a good choice of restaurants. Then self-catering apartment, but we would eat out every evening, and if through a TO tend to get hit on under-occupancy supplements for just 2. Then catered chalet.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Self catering every time.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| paulio wrote: |
| Self catering every time. |
Ditto. Much prefer the flexibility and not worried about the hassle of shopping for groceries, cooking, clearing up, etc. Like to have the freedom to eat what and when I want, including options ot eat out without worrying about paying for a half-board meal I won't eat.
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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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I love catered chalets. We have found the odd tosser, but these are far outweighed by the great folks one will meet. Good conversation, folks to ski with , great food, often social ski hosting, super staff, all make for a great experience. If just the family, or the two of us, then I woulf favour a bigger chalet just to reduce the tosser proportion. I like the social slouchabilty, and relaxed nature of a caterd chalet. Both me and The Boss like talking and interacting with people and this is almost forced upon you in a catered chalet.
The best holidays are in a big group of friends and families. We have done half a dozen of these in big catered chalets, and each one has been a MASSIVE success....That said, who cares; never had a bad ski holiday.
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Horses for courses
We always go for self-catering as gives us greater flexibility with the kids/eating out/lunches etc
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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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Nice apartment close to the pistes, access to swimming pool, good restaurants in the village, although I aslo like to potter around in the kitchen, so that must be well equipped. Large pot of coffee, boiled eggs, toastm fruit an yogurt for breakfast, preferably in my dressing gown. Recent half-board experiences have only confirmed my choice as the right one (for me)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Don't care - as long as the snow is there
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Until last season's trip (9 of us, 4/5 in two self-catering apartments) I'd have said catered chalet. However, a week in Val d'Isere La Daille's self-catering block, across the road from four lifts, a coupe of shops and a pub, has changed my mind.
I find that with chalets we stay in all evening, and that's rather boring. I prefer to get out and see at least some of the town I'm staying in. The only cooking we did, though was scrambled eggs for breakfast, the rest of the time we ate out. Catered is too limiting in terms of food, wine and entertainment. I'm not one for clubbing until 4am (3am is plenty late enough), but I don't want to spend the evening sitting around a dinner table chatting either.
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Surely it depends on your individual preference. I tend to go for self catering as I can then sample different restaurants if feeling flush or cook a cheap meal if a bit skint (or staying in Val). A hotel or Chalet would be less hassle (and might end up cheaper than eating in restaurants in the end). A chalet would, I guess, be more sociable but I haven't stayed in a chalet.
At least with self catering, the food can't be bad (or if it is, you've only got yourself to blame). In a hotel or chalet, if the food turns out to be crap, there's not much you can do about it as you've already paid. I tend to buy some breakfast to eat on the way up the first lift so included breakfast really isn't a benefit for me but probably is for a lot of people.
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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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olster, of course it depends on individual preference. We've changed our preferences over the years.
We stayed in a couple of catered chalets when our kids were too small to take out all night, staying in round the dinner table was certainly better than going to bed early, we were fortunate that the food was good but I couldn't say the same for the wine.
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Personally I prefer CC:
a) because I'm fairly sociable and have always found the experience to be enjoyable (a bonus - after all it's the skiing that I'm there for)
b) with a little patience one can find some excellent deals
c) takes some of the hassle out of having to cook/clean and think about it
d) has never stopped me going out in the evenings if that is what I feel like
e) have made some long-standing friends as a result
Have also tried (smaller) HB hotels and have no problem with them either for much the same reason as above.
I wonder if the current economic climate might, from the cost of CC (inc F & T) perspective, put a bit of a squeeze price-wise on SC holidays. Have heard that muted in a few places.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Self catering for me every time, usually in a biggish group so that handles the social aspect. Usual reasons - flexibility, kids, breakfast in my PJ's, bowl of soup for dinner if I'm knackered - without feeling 'short changed' etc. I also worked in hotels from my late teens til late 30's so avoid them for that reason alone. LikeHelen Beaumont, a decent 'potterable' kitchen is a must and also like Helen Beaumont, recent experiences only convince me that, for us, it's the right call. (Did love the spa pool at the VL in Wengen though!)
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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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I like the social slouchabilty
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A very good description.  I always liked being able to sit around in my thermals drinking mug after mug of "free" tea in a catered chalet. Now, we have our own apartment, so it's always self-catering. We couldn't afford to eat out too often, and anyway I enjoy cooking in a very well equipped kitchen and with a g & t to hand, listening to my own choice of music (on headphones if others don't want to share it). I organised some successful trips sharing big self catering chalets - including one in Les Gets with 6 room, all with their own bathroom, all sharing the work so nobody did very much. For me, having to pay for every single cup of tea, coke or glass of beer in a hotel, at restaurant/bar prices, would be too expensive. And anywhere where you had to "dress for dinner" would be right out, though some people obviously enjoy tarting themselves up and paying extra to carry big suitcases full of smart gear. 
I can't stand having food just served up to me for very long - maybe a day or so. Couldn't possible even contemplate a cruise! Couldn't have contemplated a catered hall of residence at Uni, or even a non-catered one. Living in institutions, even comfortable and luxurious ones, is not my idea of a holiday. But fortunately we all like different things; or life would be pretty boring!
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Catered Chalet every time. Went to Chammonix with a group of ten people. Yeah the routine is a bit regimental get up at a certain time (not sure if thats the same for all), but it was nice just not have to worry about getting food because some wanted to go to one place and others a different resteraunt. So in that respect it's pretty good. Plus most places cater to a wide variety of diets so if there are vegetarians among the group then they should be well taken care of. I tried the whole self catering thing and it wasn't for me, some people generally like the idea of habing their own place but for me post ski session I like a soak in the hot tub food and a beer or two. SO I guess it's down to preferences and what people what from their holidays!?
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You know it makes sense.
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We've been lucky with the catered chalets we have stayed in, but also we chose ones where we could have sole occupancy, so the chance of putting up with "tossers" (other than those in one's own circle of friends and family ) is greatly reduced. The best catered chalet we had, was owned by a SnowHead (Ben Wright) who doesn't seem to post here any more - not only was it the best, but it was also the least expensive. As we always ski with a little gang, and the majority want the ease and pampering of being looked after for a week, we always do catered chalets now, but if it was just my husband, children and I, we'd be happy with a good quality self-catered apartment.
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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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We achieved near perfection last year on our week at the (self-catering) chalet when a friend asked to bring his fiancee who doesn't ski but loves to cook. Unfortunately (for us) she will have just had a baby this time so we'll have to fend for ourselves again 
It was interesting to see how little it costs though, when you all kick into a kitty and do a big shop at the beginning. You seem to save a lot more going s/c with a big group.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hmm 75% of my trips are DIY and 25% are TO. 42% have been appts and 42% chalets, but of the 42% in chalets, some of those were self-catered chalets (yes I'm sad enough to have a little spreadsheet with it all in)
Previously I would have said catered chalets but I hate the way most TO's deal with you on transfers etc, so now prefer to go independent, plus (as mentioned above) if the food is poor then that's your fault. However when we were trying to take a big group to st.anton last year (70+) it was much easier just to go with the flow and let the TO deal with all the pain..
I'd be interested in the overall demographics of the british skiers - does anyone collect that type of data? - i.e av trips per year, DIY vs. TO, appt vs hotel vs chalet, fly vs drive vs train etc..
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
I hate the way most TO's deal with you on transfers etc
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I've found if you just tell them you've sorted everything already they leave you alone. If not, tell them you'll go back and tell everyone they've spoken to which bits they got wrong and they always do. I really pissed one off last year when she couldn't tell a group the prices of any lift passes except the 6 day one she was selling and I handed them the official (cheaper) price list complete with a map of all the places you could buy them.
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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bertie bassett, unlikely for the stats. afaik from a travel trade perspective, the only people classified as skiers are those booking ski packages through a recognised TO. All of us DIYers are simply just another traveller.
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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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We do DIY self-catering normally, as we like the freedom of eating what, when and where we want. In Austria especially, the fairly narrow hotel meal times (e.g. sometimes a 45 minute window in the evening, even in plush hotels, and a generally early evening dining time anyway), tended to interfere with our apres-ski plans, and now we're just kind of in the habit of doing our own thing. We do a regular group trip every year with 10-12 of us and that's fine to organise S/C DIY.
D
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