Having checked out reviews etc before booking, we expected the Hotel Courmayeur to be a traditional Italian hotel, quite simple but of a good standard for its category. We were very pleased with our choice and had a most enjoyable stay. Over the years we have stayed in many ski hotels of a similar category and this one compared favourably. Our only real disappointment was that, having requested a quiet room, we found ourselves at the very back of the hotel in a room ( number 30) with a view of a 6 foot wall!! However, the room was very comfortable, with a good sized bed and attractive decor. The bathroom was well appointed with lashings of hot water. The hotel was spotlessly clean throughout, service in the restaurant was excellent and we found all the staff to be polite and friendly. The continental breakfast consisted of a good choice of rolls, assorted croissants, cakes, eggs, cheese, cold meat, preserves, cereals, fruit etc. The coffee was excellent. We enjoyed breakfast so much and were so full afterwards that we only needed a small snack whilst out skiing. The menu for the evening meal was always on display at breakfast time, so if anything was unsuitable you could have asked for an alternative. There was always a choice of 3 starters (eg. delicious vegetable soup/ ravioli/consomme) and 3 main courses (two meat or fish dishes and 1 vegetarian dish). To our amusement the veggie option was always some sort of egg dish but they would have done something else if asked. Dessert was always either a pudding (a choice of home made tart or similar, ice creams, fruit, creme caramel etc) or a cheese course. For the cheese course we were presented with a trolley offering an array of about a dozen different cheeses - a meal in itself!! In our opinion the food was quite simple but nicely presented and very tasty and plentiful. The reception/bar/lounge is basically one long room with lots of comfy seating and a log fire. For the first couple of days there was a problem with the fire and it was a little cold but once they got it lit the room was nice and cosy. We enjoyed the resort immensely, the skiing was varied and interesting although it is not a huge area. It is ideally suited to intermediates, not beginners. There were no queues and the slopes were lovely and quiet. The Hotel Courmayeur is better placed for the cable car than many of the other hotels, however it is still a good 5 mins walk. We took advantage of the facility to leave our skis and boots in the hire shop at the top of the cable car and this worked really well. This was our 6th ski holiday in the Aosta Valley, we absolutely love it. We intend to return and would be more than happy to stay in the Hotel Courmayeur again.
