This is the 4th time we have visited the 3 valleys and as far as hotels go this is a little gem of a place. Compared to the much more run down and out of date Chaudanne in meribel I would choose this each time for the hotel alone.
The positives are:
Spacious bedrooms and nice up to date modern furnishings. The hotel has been updated throughout in the past few years. Very clean and warm. Nice lounge areas to sit in downstairs which are quiet and peaceful. We paid extra for a valley room which also was larger than a standard. Hamman spa area which is small but very nicely done.
The staff are very friendly and helpful. Much better than a lot of places.
Mini bar in room - Free of charge and useful for your own lunches etc.
Free wifi but can't get it in your room.
The negatives are:
If you are skiing the 3 valleys rather than just local pass then courchevel 1650 isn't the best location as it is the furthest point to the west on the map. It takes a long time to get over to Val Thoren / Orelle and Meribel is a better location for an area pass. Not the fault of the hotel though...
The boot room is very small and if the hotel was fullI, I imagine it would be a bit of a nightmare.
The breakfast included is very basic just cereal / bread / cheese / meat juice and yoghurt. It is extra to have cooked eggs. Bacon. Mushrooms. It is approx 6 euros for this per day. But it is very nicely done.
Marketed by Crystal as ski in ski out - it isn't - its a walk across the road and up an escalator. Not far but not ski in/out. Again not the hotels fault in this case.
All in all 1650 is very quiet - which is what we wanted. The food choice is limited but there is a free bus to 1850 outside the hotel if you fancy a change. The schuss bar next door is nice for a drink, more traditional and cosy - better than rockys on the other side which is a bit more "drinking pub".
Great place to ski and a great hotel to stay in.
- Le Seizena Courchevel
