Read the reviews here prior to travelling to VT and spending a week in the Altineige for a week's skiing. I was prepared for the odd problems but aware that often complaints are recorded whilst good experiences are not.
We were group of five (38 -58 years) so hoping for peace and quiet.

Overall we were very pleasantly surprised. Mega-queues and crush for the lifts late on Saturday afternoon with 500+ people going for their apartments in only two small lifts (more later). But an hour or two later all was peaceful. And remained so for the rest of the week. Heard nothing untoward and had a peaceful stay. We were on the 6th floor in a split-level apartment (610) with a balcony on two sides. The views were spectacular across to the mountains on the far side of the valley and a crystal-clear sunset each day! One bedroom downstairs and three of us on a Mezzanine level. The decoration and equipping with crockery, cutlery, glasses, cooking utensils and pots/pans, microwave, fridge, cooking hobs, bedding, furniture was faultless. No complaints, indeed we all were very impressed and would happily stay there again. There was a defective TV in place when we arrived (not that we wanted a TV and it would be something one would hire from the place providing bedding). The TV was removed during our second day whilst we were out skiing.

The Alimentation downstairs next door was dead handy and with a pretty good range of stuff. Reserve a cooked chicken in the morning if you want one but they're pricey - 9 Euros - but tasty. A ski-run is just behind the hotel and so ski-out is just 10m from the rear door of the Ski Locker Room and it's possible to ski right into the rear entrance porch - now that's what I call handy. Plus, of course, the Altineige is right in the middle of VT but still virtually no noise from outside revellers - or from any inside either.

As for the lifts - DIRE!!! On several days one or other seemed to be defective/under repair, with a mind of their own, etc. However this only seemed to be a minor issue, just wait a minute or two more. It was funny when one lift load of Swedes re-appeared about four times as they went up and down two or three floors and back to reception. Let's hope they get them fixed properly.

We were able to park (temporarily) right outside the front door to unload/load up so that was handy. Never noticed any graffiti and the general standard of decoration seemd fine.. Reception was helpful and courteous. Everything in the room functioned well although the toilet cistern made a heck of a racket when refilling so sneaky pees at night were out of the question "WE CAN HEAR YOU!".

Overall we were very happy with our stay and can recommend it based on our experience.

Myself and four friends aged between 17 and 27 stayed at the apartments from the 31/01/09 until the 07/02/09.
For a group of lads the place is ideal with a short as in 20 walking steps to the nearest ski slope distance away, 5 minutes to the supermarket and 10 to the main bar street. Look out for Dicks Tea Bar who run special drinks offers every night 9pm all drinks 2e 10pm 3e 11pm 4e and so on, we spent a lot of time in there and they hold live bands there too creating a real good atmosphere. The room is basic and left not much room for 5 lads but to be fair we just used the place to have power sleeps and shower, Be prepared to live out of your case and i suggest buying bacon and frying it for breakfast to set you on your way. The room is warm with heaters that you can adjust to your needs and there is always hot water for the shower. The coach journeys are tough going with the transfer being 4 hours there and 5 hours home this down to poor weather conditions. Take plenty of spendo with you as pizza and chips to takeaway will set you back 12-16e, it doesn't get any better on the slopes with spag bol and a coke setting you back 15-18e. The skiing is wicked though but be prepared for some tough skiing through poor visibility and wind. All in all i would definately recommend Alteneige to groups only and not families.

I'm not one for slating places, having stayed in some truly dreadful Travelodges/Holiday Inn's etc etc, but the Altineige was absolutelt dire. After the 4 hour coach transfer to the hotel our rep announced that we were first to be dropped off - the rest of the coach looked on in horror as they realised where we'd booked ourselves for the week - they'd done their homework!!

We stepped into the very basic reception area at around 12pm - early, but still in need of a drink and something to eat. However, the (not-so) helpful young lady behind the desk told us to "put your luggage over there and come back at 5.30pm". Erm, no.
Our room was not ready apparently, and so we couldn't change, sleep, shower, or use the loo before occupying ourselves for 5 hours. We trapsed around Val Thorens paying over 130€ for a meal for 4 (two courses each plus one drink), before returning to sleep in the lobby for a few hours. When 5.30pm came, I contemplated returning to the reception - this (truthfully) was the worst hotel I'd ever encountered. Graffiti on corridor walls, doors punched/kicked in... who would stay in a place like this? By the time we reached our room, I'd already written the place off, and correctly, too. The floor was filthy, and the kitchen area had food littering the hob and fridge. There was NO BEDDING, or iron, which had been promised. Only one cupboard with around 10 hangers (for 4 grown men!!), and NO SHOWER HOOK!! At 6ft 5', I really can't be faffing around with a 2ft hose and a 3ft "bath" to kneel in...

Boiling a pan of water took over half an hour on the prehistoric hob, and I'm pretty sure that a few centimetres of tectonic activity occured before hot water was found flowing from the kitchen tap.

After a trip to reception I was told that bedding was not included, and resorted to swiping a few pillows and a sheet from a passing trolley. Even then, in Europe's highest ski resort, a pillow and sheet won't do, and I slept in a snowboard jacket and fleece trousers, shivering.

The very next day I took the initiative and flew back home - I'm not into winter sports anyway so saw no reason to stay.

Take my advice - stay in one of the few 4* hotels if you can afford it - it's not much fun coming in cold and wet, to a room which is... cold and wet. And dirty. With no hangers.

Family of 5 (2 teenagers) We have just returned from a 2 week stay at the Altineige, Val Thorens. 3 hour transfer from Grenoble but 4 hours on the return to the airport. The hotel is conveniently situated in the main square but is a 5 minute walk from the main ski school / lift area, although you can ski in / out from the locker room exit (but not to ski school). There are plenty of shops, cafes and supermarkets all within a few minutes walk and the 'Sherpa' supermarket will even deliver to your door. Prices are very high though! My heart sank when we entered our apartment - the whole thing was smaller than our master bedroom or entrance hall at home! The wide-angle lens used on the hotel website gives a very deceptive feeling! We are talking seriously basic accommodation here. Imagine the smallest hotel condo and then halve it. The inside of the building is looking very tired.The beds are all very narrow and you have to make them up yourself. There is very little room between the 2 pull out beds and the twin beds (40-50cm) the only thing in the twin room is the beds. No TV but you can hire one for 50 euro per week.It was also very cold and draughty. The kitchenette area is quite well stocked, however there is no kettle, only a filter coffee maker, no oven, no grill (broiler) merely 2 electric hotplates. Fridge and dishwasher were good. There is a half-sized bath with a hand-held shower hose in a teeny weeny bathroom, separate to the one even smaller wc. There is about enough closet space for one person. Although it was listed as having an iron there was none and we could not find the coin-operated washing machines although there are some in the main mall. You are provided with one ski locker regardless of how many people are in your party and as a result we could not fit all our gear in. You may carry your boots to your room but will be fined 40 euro if you are caught wearing them inside the main building. Welcome pack contained coupons for discounts at the Sherpa and 20% of all ski hire etc at CC Sports (Ski Set) which is located in the building. From the 3rd floor you can use a linked walkway to the local mall and shopping thoroughfare. Local mall also contained the Sports Centre and Public Pool. All in all a great challenge for 5 people for 2 weeks, rather akin to Youth Hostelling. On the plus side the weather and skiing was fantastic. Temperatures varied from -11 to +16 C. Lots of sunburnt people around who underestimated the sun - we were using SPF 55. On the downside there is only 1 green run which splits into 2 half way down and a fairly decent selection of blues and reds. However, if you are a capable skiier there is lots to discover if you buy the 3 Valleys Pass and get over to the other valleys in Meribel. Les Menuires or Courcheval. Ski School (ESF) was excellent.