After reading reviews on other sites was worried about transfer, yes it is long but due to the early start most of journey was spent sleeping, but the views are great. We stopped off so had a quick loo break and chance to stretch legs. On return journey we went straight.to the airport.
On arrival was late afternoon, rooms were ready and we were able to get skis and boards fitted. Photos taken and lift passes ready at next morning breakfast.
Meal times are breakfast 8-9, evening meal 730-830 pm.
Breakfast alternates between boiled eggs and porridge, I took my own weetabix and the staff were happy to heat them up.
Evening meal had option of two for starters and main course, one evening hubby and son did not like what was on menu and were offered childs choice. Just to say thank you for that extra thought.
The meals were of good quality and well presented. Meals are served with water on table but wine can be bought from 10 euros a bottle.
The hotel also offers bar menu at lunch time and due to its closeness to the slopes(80 steps to be precise) you can come back and have food at competive price, ( if you have chips they do not have vinager)
The rooms as said before basic, warm no hairdyers, no TV and only mirror in bathroom. There is a seperate loo to bathroom. lots of storage in bathroom but limited hanging space. Plenty of coat hangers. There was never a problem with hot water and towels are provided with small tablet of soap. One hint there only appears to be one plug socket but we found one behind a bed.The rooms are warm and kept warm with convertion heater rather than radiators so no hanging ski clothes on.
The slopes were great even with no snow for nearly three weeks. It was sunny every day but still very cold at times especially up top of mountain. I am not a great skier but found enough of crusing the blues, others in the party boarded and skied the reds and went over to Vars. The lift system consists of 8,6,4,3,2,man chair lifts several button lifts, on to the top which takes approx 6 minutes. I felt that there was a lift around each corner.
Prices in the resort seemed expensive but not having been to France had nothing to compare with. 3 euros for hot chocolate, 1.50 coffee tiny cup, coke 3, and a beer 4 for a half. We spent on average 30 euros a day for lnch and morning drinks for 3 people.
We were there with two school parties and had school children in room next door, we had no problems with the children (what lovelly young men), however the main problem was the people from the Irish bar and night club outside smoking and being loud, however did not not stop me from sleeping.
Overall this place is a hidden jem and can not wait to go back as a group, it offers something for all abilites, if you your not to hard core. There is also good snow parks for those who like to do kickers and jumps.
Can not wait to go back.

i was pleasantly suprised when we arrived at the hotel, the staff were very friendly and the ski technician school ran by simon is great if you maintain your own skis..
the rooms were basic but clean, the only criticism is that the irish bar was below our window and was quite noisy.
i had ear plugs but my friend didnt and kept getting woken up )
the school party were very pleasant but i agree there isnt much for them to do after the skiing, however we had no problem with them.
the skiing is superb , big wide pistes but beware being ripped off in vars st marie, do not stop for coffee here, extortionate prices,
the best mountain cafe is between the 2 big chairs, D"altitude, definitely recommend this cafe and the huskys are there too.
the transfer is long but the scenery is stunning, its worth the effort.
overall i loved this place but not much else to do apart from ski .

We were not expecting much and knew there would be a school party there at the same time. What a pleasent surprise. The school party were well organised and we rarely saw them. We were warned that they would be booting up at about 9.30 in the morning so we got our skis at 9.50 after they had gone.

The bar is small but the staff very friendly and welcoming. I was happy to drink there on my own while waiting for partner. Drinks were normal French prices.

The dining room was good, well set out, and the food better than expected with 2 options for the starter and main course. Breakfast was the normal continental with either porridge or eggs as an extra. The waiting staff were excellant.

The room was large with 2 bunk beds as well as our double. The bath was short but deep and quite comfortable with a shower. Plenty of hot water until 6.30 then had to wait about 10 minutes for it to get hot again. I suspect the school party all showered at once. The double bed was very comfortable although maybe a bit short, at 5'3" no problem. There was a bit of the normal noise in the road as people left the bars but no worse than any other resort.

It was a very short walk to the slopes, just across the road and through a short tunnel to the lifts. We set out at about 9.50 each day and there were no queues for the lifts. The runs were mainly blue and red, great for cruising.

We knew it would be a long transfer but after changing to the minubus in Serre Chevalier they arranged a loo stop for us. On the way back we were all asleep but I am sure they would have sorted something if requested.

I would certainly recommend both the hotel and the resort.

What more could you want? If you're an easy going traveller and enjoy a lively atomosphere, I'd recommend this hotel. From the moment you walk in there's a welcome and genuine concern for your well-being; I'd challenge a 5 star hotel to do better. It's clear that the staff all get on well and this shows in the service- and if you take time to speak to them and other travellers you can pick up some great advice and and soon you feel very at home. (There is a long airport transfer, take a drink / food with you perhaps- although a large meal awaiting us at the hotel, very welcome!)
The in-house ski hire and tech is also a great bonus, as if you need advice or your boots swapping it's very easy to do this- not like at some resorts where you may need to wait for a shop to open or similar. The locker is in the basement outside, no issues.
The rooms are perfectly adequate, some have extra bunks (useful for storage if not used) and some also a bath: plenty of hot water too. There were extra duvets and pillows too, and towels / soap, as you'd expect. I was actually concerned about the club close by, but didn't hear anything- very occasional street noise, but again it wasn't a major issue at all.
Breakfast was fine: tea, coffee, orange juice, porridge, cereals & continental and you could buy a cooked if you really need the le lard-fixe anglais. Throughout the day the bar is open and it's welcoming- great choice of proper bar food / sandwiches; certainly better value than those places on the slopes. There is a bakery next door too, but you won't get a the side salad with their offerings, and we need our 5 a day.
Apres ski, there are a few bars you can visit, depends what you want: this is not Las Vegas. As it happens, the tour company RocketSki organised some nice evenings- inc. an unplanned staff birthday drink up- totally optional- also ice skating, quiz night, mountain meal and also bum boarding- great to have the choice of entertainment in the evening; good value too, arguably. The choice is your's- better to have that, than no choice I feel. They'll also arrange ski-doo trips, a must.
Other hotel activities inc. satellite tv (in bar) pool table, table football and internet; the pool / football a great way to break the ice and chat to new people.
I'd also like to point out that a school group were using the hotel- panic!- but no they were fine and they eat separately and have their activities at different times. So don't be put off by this at all- again I'd be the first to get irriated if it was a problem.
So to sum up, great value, great location, great staff and great holiday: if you don't enjoy a holiday here, I'd start to look elsewhere for the real reasons? I genuinely feel the staff and company care about your trip and are committed to ensuring you have a great stay. Go book it now and relax.