I stayed at the Relais des Alpes for two weeks from the middle of January 2007 with my family for a skiing holiday and it was the worst holiday I have ever had.

This had very little to do with the hotel or its staff. The hotel rooms were quite large and reletively comfortable although the shower was a bit pathetic. The staff were polite, helpful and freindly with a good grasp of the english language. However the cleaning staff could have been a bit better as we did find dust and fluff behind and under the furniture.

The hotel facilities were a bit more spartan than they sound in the brochure with the internet access being a single PC on a counter next to the lift allowing no privacy if you checked your emails. The hot tub and sauna were enjoyable although the advertised changing facilities don't exist. The only other down point to the hotel itself was the lack of sound proofing between the rooms and the corridors although this would not have helped very much during our stay.

The reason this holiday was the worst I have ever experienced was the large groups booked into the hotel by Crystal. During our first week there were two groups from Ireland numbering roughly 70 individuals who seemed to be trying to drink the town dry every night of their stay and then would shout about their night to each other up and down the hotel corridors until the small hours of the morning, occasionally even passing out in the corridor. The second week we had two groups off young English lads who added playing football and cricket in the corridors and vandalising their rooms to the thoughtless, selfish excesses of the Irish the previous week.

The net effect of this was that during a two week holiday I had one nights undisturbed sleep. This was despite repeated complaints and pleas to the crystal reps to do something about the thugs and yobs which they had booked into a hotel they claim in their brochure is a good family hotel. In fact it got so bad on a couple of nights that the hotel staff called the police to try to calm things down.

Thank god for the food. It was the highlight of our stay. It could have been hotter and the omlettes at breakfast could have been prepared faster but it was tasty, well prepared, well presented with plenty of choice. The restraunt wine list was also very good with something for every pallate and at very reasonable prices. And to top it off the service was superb.

So I would recommend the hotel for a stay but only after they have stopped taking bookings from Crystal or Crystal have stopped putting large groups into this hotel.

i have just returned from skiing in sauze. this hotel is extremely noisy.our room was directly above the queenslounge which closes at 12 but the bellowing swearing and shouting goes on untill 4 am every night. the noise is unbelievable. soon after all the dustbin wagons arrive outside rev ving their engines . i had about 1 hours sleep per night despite resorting to nytol. the hotel in my opinion cannot be classed as a 4 star. the mats on the floor were dirty and under the bed filthy. the bedding consisted of a blanket and a bedspread which obviously are not washed between guest stays. the food was good and the staff friendly.

Very noisy hotel. Pub attached which attrated people until early hours of morning. Rooms cold, Brits all got noisy 2nd floor, upper rooms went to italians or were closed. Told hotel full, but wasn't. Lots of tinned food especially mushrooms. Waiters really good, friendly, good jacuzzi for private use 45 mins if booked. 20 wait at breakfast to get a fried egg or omellete as only 1 chef cooking for each individual - no hot plate! Food cold as lids of hot dishes left open, lots of food recycled the next day. Stone floors and corridors making it very noisy. Drunks sleeping on hallway sofas. No gym, No library. 25 min walk from Ski school point and long wait for ski bus if you can get on it! No good for beginners. Hotel not 4 star standard, would suggest only 3 star having travelled for many years. Try Soldeu, Andorra, Hotel Sport. Better standard, better food and more advanced lift system.