Résidence Le Gypaète Pierre & Vacances — Hotel in Albertville

Stayed for one week over Christmas 2018 at Club Hotel Le Gypeate in Val Thorens for our fourth ski trip in as many years (at different resorts).|We found the reception staff were always pleasant and helpful. The room whilst not large compared to other holidays, as far as ski accommodation goes it was larger than other places we have stayed. It was perfectly adequate for a family of four, two adults on a double bed that converted to a sofa during the day and two single beds for teenage children. Four adults might find it a little too cosy.|The kitchen is very small, but had a sink, two electric cooking rings, dishwasher, fridge, coffee filter machine and just enough storage for pots, pans etc. The dining table had seating for six and could be folded up out of the way against the wall to provide more space (although we kept it down the whole week). |There is a bathroom/toilet, with a wash basin and an overhead shower in the bath.|We read plenty of reviews about Le Gypeate before booking. Some were not very flattering. But we found the accommodation perfect for our needs for the price. Ski boots must not be worn inside Le Gypeate other than in the locker room. Compared to other ski accommodation the locker room itself was spacious and heated (but not warm enough to dry inside wet boots as some reviewers complained) with good seating.|Le Gypeate is ski-in and ski-out. However for ski-in, the blue piste (Corniche) is only gentle until almost directly above Le Gypeate where it merges with a red piste and becomes challenging (especially at the end of a busy day when it can get icy). Beginners may prefer walking about 15 mins from the centre (Place Caron).|I ordered at reception fresh bread to be delivered to our room every morning, which was left right outside our door at 7.30am (a perfect start to the day).|There was a TV in the room, but all channels were in French.|Wi-Fi was adequate and cost €10 for two devices (it was possible to stream live TV and download films).|Compared to stays in other ski accommodation we found the room had adequate storage.|On arrival you are asked to leave a large deposit and I again read about problems from other reviewers about getting this back in full. We arranged an inspection of our room to take place at 9am on the morning of our departure and after a thorough check, we received our deposit back without a problem (we did leave the room exactly as we found it).|Our room was on the top floor (of five) and had great views of the pistes (I think all rooms similarly overlook the pistes). There was a large sliding patio window that led outside to a small covered balcony. Yes you do hear the piste bashers driving past throughout the night, but this was the only disturbance (perhaps we were just lucky with our neighbours?). Le Gypeate is just far enough away not to be disturbed by usual nightlife, but is also close enough if that is your thing.|We drove to Val Thorens and parked our car inside the PO multi-storey carpark which is about 15 mins amble away (it cost €77.50).|We booked ski lessons for our children with Prosniege, which they enjoyed (they are both now better skiers then me).|On our drive home we all agreed that if we returned to Val Thorens and owing to the fact that value for money will probably be the determining factor, we would be very happy to stay again...

Selected this hotel after reading all the reviews on TripAdvisor and making a conscious choice that people complaining about the noise were “complainers”. As I never had issues with noisy neighbours, I ignored those reviews. Unfortunately for us, we seemed to have non-skier young neighbours in the rooms to our left and right and both had loud dinner parties on almost every night we were there (and until the early hours of the next morning). Doesn’t help that the walls are paper thin. Hotel Reception only opens during day time hours, closing at 7pm weekdays and 9pm weekends. Upon complaining to hotel reception, on the second morning, the staff was quick to go up and discuss the matter with our noisy neighbours. Thankfully the ones on the right were then quiet the following evening. But not those on the left. And so it went on. By the 4th morning, hotel reception suggested we call the police in the evening (when there is no hotel staff onsite). We did call the police at midnight, who were there an hour later and we then had a decent nights sleep (at least for the remainder of the night). ||Is the hotel all bad? No, off course it isn’t. The rooms are clean and spacious. The staff is nice. Location is ski in ski out (albeit beginners beware ski in may be a little difficult). Boot room is spacious with a locker for skis and another locker for boots (although no boot warmer). The views are incredible and the price we paid represented good value. ||However, if you cannot get a good night’s sleep, none of of the positives matter. ||Incredibly, it’s hotel policy that no noise should be made after 10pm. My suggestion would be that if the staff are not able to enforce this noise policy, they should remove it all together. ||Would I stay at this hotel again? Never.. I need my 7hrs a night sleep (even more so...

Location! Right on the main slope. 10 steps out of ski room - and you are on the ski run. Yet - it is at the quite end of the town, away from the 'party' district. So it is quite at night. Staff is friendly. We did not have any problems with noise - may be because it was a corner unit, may be we had quite neighbours. The groomers would finish their job well before 10 pm so we did not hear any outside noise. The apartment is small, as it was expected, but functional.|| · Paid Wi Fi is terrible - works only 50% of the time. Looks like their hotspots cannot service all clients. The standard set includes neither a kettle nor a toaster nor a hair dryer. Those items must be requested and they are subjected to availability. We were lucky with a kettle and a hair dryer but all toaster had gone. French bread is very good though, you do not need to toast it. Not enough pillows, only one per person - a short trip to a reception - problem solved. The ski room does not have boot heaters. The place come without any consumables - so you need to buy dish soap, dishwasher tablets, dish sponges etc. On move out - either you need to take all those things or throw then away. A bit strange for a Canadian - in Canada apartments have those items and you cam always leave your leftover soap, tea and ketchup to the next tenants to use. Overall - it is a good place for people who come to Val Thorens to ski - I mean, really - to ski...