It has a good location being above the main cabin lift to the slopes. The reception and bar area are beautifully panelled in wood and nice and restful. The bedrooms are fine except that as in all of Andorra the hotels sit on the main through roads through the principality which are used by heavy lorries and it is noisy especially if facing the road. This covers most of the rooms in the sports Hotel, a fair number in the Sports Village but not sure about the 5 star version as rooms maybe air-conditioned. So ask for a quiet room ( if not be prepared to move or buy ear-plugs). The same comment would apply to most hotels in soldeau, Canillo etc, unless air-conditioned..
We have stayed before and have never had a problem with service, e.g. parking my car, taking our skis to the locker room etc. Bar staff were always friendly as were waitresses in restaurant, though trying to say a few words in spanish always helps, (Andorra speak Catalan but staff come from anywhere but mostly spain).
Restaurant food is Ok being buffet style and its not grand cuisine but plenty of choice.
We knew spa charged-it is an amazing spa with 6 jacuzzis, 3 swimming pools, 6 saunas/steam rooms and in theory you need to book a time but if not busy they are very relaxed. Value for money.
One gets room deals on the internet so don't buy at rack rates, even reception will tell you that, It will always be busy at weekends being close to Barcelona so as ever don't go at peak/Spanish holiday times. Mid week January was very quiet.
We would stay again but choose our room carefully.
re reference to russians being favoured I think staff were relieved we weren't Russian !
There are "british pubs" owned by the chain which are apparently lively and fun.
The Hotel is fine and we will go again but clearly you pay for the facilities and the location. Cheaper hotels exist on the grandvalira ski area but their location is not so good.
The sports hotel (across the road) as distinct from the sports hotel village although owned by the same chain has more package ski holiday operators and is cheaper but rooms are generally noisy or face the mountain. You get what you pay for as ever.
- Sport Hotel Soldeu
