We had a great week in Chamonix and at the hotel. The hotel is nice and clean, with a great cuisine. And with Exelent weather and great skiing, it is no better.

I have never encountered such an unfriendly, rude and downright unpleasant attitude from staff at any hotel. Our group were 6 snowboarders on an off-piste holiday course, all in our early thirties, professional, polite, we all spoke good french, didn't drink, went to bed early, left early and were gone all day. Dinner was included in our rate and oddly we were asked quite forcefully to label a linen napkin with our name and re-use it each dinner time all week, which got a bit unpleasant after a few meals. I'm all for recycling, but our bath towels, which we were happy to re-use a few times, were changed each day.

Ordering a cup of tea or coffee (not included with the food) was not allowed in the restaurant. We were sent through to the bar where this irksome request was usually met with sighs and much huffing and puffing before a drink was resentfully produced. On one such occasion, the owner's son threw a teabag at a cup which was on the bar and said "your friends already have some hot water." Charging drinks to the room was apparently "tres genant" or a very annoying request
I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture..

On the plus side, the facilities at this hotel were good, although the communal areas are kitschly decorated with slightly macabre stuffed animals. Rooms were reasonably spacious compared to many at this price in the area, as well as clean, there is a well maintained small swimming pool. The food was unremarkable, but of good quality, similar to what you'd be served in any restaurant in central Chamonix . The Raclette evening is good. Worth knowing that Les Houches is a very quiet hamlet and getting to and from Chamonix centre takes 40 minutes as buses are not that frequent. I would say the hotel's preferred clientele are quiet families or older people, who like being in the mountains, but perhaps aren't too bothered about snowsports. Getting to breakfast early to be first on the powder is definitely disapproved of, as is any apres ski joviality over afternoon tea. And I 'm not talking about drinking here - just laughing!

We stayed at the Chris-tal towards the end of March and found the hotel to be clean & comfortable.

Breakfast is the standard buffet found in most hotels and the dinner menu provides reasonable choice.

Staff on occasion unfortunately proved to be a little difficult often serving others first or walking away from reception/bar as if we were invisible. However this was the only experience of bad attitude we encountered whilst staying in the area.

Although I have basic French language skills I would recommend those who do not have any to prepare themselves and take a phrase book.

Despite this I would stay at this hotel again.

We had a great week in the Hotel Chris-tal in March 2007. This is a lovely hotel with great rooms and good facilities. Our room was spacious with great views of the Chamonix Valley, a good clean bathrooom and nice balcony. The swimming pool also commanded amazing views and was a nice way to unwind at the end of the day. The ski/boot room was adequate and the boot warmers were very useful. The owners were very accomodating and friendly, breakfast was good with boiled eggs, croissants, jams and fruit available. Although we hadn't opted for half board we ate in the restaurant on a few occasions and found the food to be very good, especially the famous Savoyard scraped cheese! There is a good nursery slope just opposite the hotel but this may be a little slushy in spring conditions, otherwise the 'ski bus' stops just outside to take you up to Les Houches (5 mins) or down to Chamonix (15 - 20 mins), there is also a good ski equipment/hire shop just next door. My only complaint is that after an evening out in Chamonix it is difficult to get transport/taxi back to Les Houches, but this is not the fault of the hotel!