Belambra Clubs "Panorama" — Hotel in Bonneville

This is an All inclusive holiday.||First off as always the pluses, Clean and modern Hotel ( It is a new hotel as of Dec 2023), most of the staff had a friendly and welcoming manner. If you want quite at night this ticks the boxes as it is far away from the main centre of Flaine, The room for a couple, have what you need, even our friends that stayed the same time with there daughter had a family room and that had plenty of room, and a better view than ours as it overlooked Flaine and the Ski Bowl. Buffet Food was slightly different every day so you should not get bored with choice, including the puddings. The location for first time skiers like myself and the wife was ok as well as we could have a little go outside the hotel then we progressed onto the Green level slope about 100meter walk away, then we where off to the chair lift then did loops of the green. By day 2 we trained at Flaines Magic Carpet lift in the main training area of Flaine. You can catch the free Ski bus which is 2 min walk to the bus stop, for down or back up to the hotel. Ski hire is in the -3 level with plenty to choose from, this leads into the locker room with a pre designated locker per room for your ski equipment. Spar shop is convenient for snacks and water (similar pricing to the UK). The back of the hotel facing the mountain wasn't too bad but the other side is a lot better if you get the choice. Coach transfer drops off and picks are up at the bus stop which isn't that bad, as access to the entrance is limited due to snow and parked cars. Your room has a safe at no extra charge, just put your own number in it. One big plus was our Crystal Ski Rep Verity, she could not do enough for us, always on hand if we needed her as you will read in the next part, and never felt like you was holding her from something else.||Now for the not so good according to our taste and preferences.|The main issue was our flight was at 6:50 am Manchester to Geneva. We had broken sleep Friday as we had to set off at 1:00am Saturday morning then we arrived at the hotel at 14:30 ish local time, so you could say we where shattered! The lady at the desk greeted us and explained because we had arrived before the check in time, (We did know check in was 17:00) all that they can offer is a side room for our cases and will let us know by phone call when the rooms would be ready. So we asked if we could at least go eat, given it was an All Inclusive holiday that was paid for from the date of arrival ( like most other holidays we have been on) we where shocked to be told that for 24 Euros each (party of 5) we could go eat in the buffet, as the Hotel policy is you only get All inclusive from the time of Check in!!! At this point one of our group had a word explaining that we have paid for the 4* all inclusive from dates 18/01/25 to 25/01/25 and that check in is for the room not the whole holiday such as other hotels we had be to over the years. The Manager woman would not budge she was sticking to the "check in" is when the All inclusive starts. At this Verity stepped in and sorted things out by us paying the 24 euro each then re paid by Crystal Holidays, which they did. This to us put a bad taste in our mouths for a few days later, it DID stain the holiday a little. |For the food the morning breakfast bacon was cold, the scrabbled egg was powdered egg also cool, it had the texture of rubber, plates are all cold, the juice machines had concentrate juice in them no fresh juice, if you wanted a boiled egg you had to put your own in a holder and stand with it at a boiling pan, unless you wanted another to take yours. |At dinner time/ lunch and T time / Supper time the Coffee machines and juice machines where turned OFF! Only the 4 way drink dispenser of Red/ White Wine, Still/Sparkling water where available. If you did want a hot drink with your meals other than breakfast time you had to go to reception level 0 or down to level -3 at the Bar then carry these hot drinks via stairs or elevator back to level-2??? Madness. |Onto the entertainment, well if you don't know French and you really love your entertainment then book somewhere else, apart from one night where a kind english speaking Belgian helped us do a quiz and then the MC did get involved with us and another table of Brits. ||To sum up in simple terms is this : |It's a typical French Hotel resort they don't like to put English text on any thing.|They need to change this ridiculous check in policy!|They say this is 4, maybe because it is a new build yes but some things with the food hall is not 4.|The gym has a few tread mills and Ski machine but small room no weights.|Swimming pool small and shallow but enough to do small length if you can dodge the kids. Needs an adult swim time. Wouldn't hurt.||Clean hotel|Friendly staff (most)|Easy Access to Bus service to Flaine|Ski in Ski out|Ski hire in the building|Spar Shop next door |Plenty of slopes for all abilities|Quite at night|Always warm inside|Plenty of food variety ( but it is really a juggle to find hot food)|Can drink local water from tap|Transfer time was only 1hr 40|Crystal Holidays helped a great deal thanks to Verity! ||Would we go again most likely but would love the above changes if possible, come...

We stayed at this hotel from 8-15 Feb 2025 - booked through Crystal ski. ||||Arrival:||We were put on an easyJet flight so we had a private transfer to the hotel put in for us which was nice - took about 1hr 40. We arrived at 8.10pm where we checked in and met then Crystal rep who advised us dinner service stopped at 9pm so to quickly put our suitcases in our room and then head to get some food. We were also informed there was a welcome meeting the following day at 5.30pm. ||||Ski in - ski out: ||The hotel is situated on the Opales green run which takes you to Gerats chair lift (via a fair bit of pushing with ski poles) and then into Flaine Foret and into the main ski area. Coming back it is the reverse - however the last 50m you have to take off your skis and walk back to the boot room (so technically not ski in like other hotels we have stayed out).||||Boot room:||You get your own ski locker per room which you set your own combination code on. Relatively big locker compared to other hotels we have stayed at, and heated boot racks which was nice. Avoid 0830-0930 and 1530-1630 if you wish to avoid the rush. ||||Swimming pool:||A big(ish) pool with small baby pool, sauna, and loungers situated around. We went at 1030 which was quiet until around 1130 where it got quite busy with loud children which ruined the relaxing atmosphere a bit. ||||Buffet:||Breakfast served between 7am-10am. Cereals. Pastries. Yoghurts. Some hot food (bacon/beans/eggs), however the quantity and variety changed day by day!||Lunch served between 12pm-2pm. Dinner served between 7pm-9pm. This was generally the same food both times. Mixture of a meat option, potato accompaniment, pizzas, pizza, selection of desserts. ||Unfortunately this was ruined by so many feral children running around the buffet into people, loud and touching the food with their dirty hands. The French parents did not seem to care! Lots of other English commented on this too saying it ruined the eating atmosphere. ||You can also ask for a packed lunch to take away - order at reception by 7pm the night before. Baguette (option of tuna/ham and cheese/vegetable). You also get a packet of crisps, a fruit compote and a Madeline. No drink. Just ask for your packed lunch at breakfast. ||Another gripe is the table clearing - we had to clear our own table most days as they don’t have enough staff. ||||Restaurant:||You are given access 1x evening to the raclette/fondu restaurant (book your preferred date at reception on arrival). 7pm or 9pm option. This was a nice change - came with potato/deli meat/gerkins/bread/lettuce. ||||Entertainment:||Only really 1 option for adults at 9pm-10pm in the main bar. However was in French so we couldn’t understand it. Very busy too so couldn’t get a table close enough to see anything.||||Bar:||A good selection of all inclusive drinks. ||https://www.belambra.fr/static/img/msb/carte-bar-2024-5B-LP.pdf||In the buffet/restaurant there is only the option of water/sparkling water/red and white wine. So if you want anything else you have to bring it up from the bar which was quite annoying. ||||Flaine skiing:||An on resort - can easily do within the week. Lots of blue runs which is nice. Unfortunately we had poor visibility condition a for a lot of the week but that can’t be helped. If you want a family resort then this suits, however as an early 30’s couple we wouldn’t return - absolutely no apres at all on the mountain or in the town. ||||Room:||A pleasant room. We had a double overlooked the back of the hotel with a balcony. Unfortunately the mattress was the most uncomfortable we have ever slept on! So much so we struggled to sleep most nights which was annoying. Bathroom was nice with hot rainfall shower. Temperature was good with a good radiator which heated the room quickly. ||||Crystal: ||Although we were told there was a welcome meeting on the 2nd night at 5.30pm - no Crystal rep turned up! We got a text the following day to say a new rep was allocated to the hotel but the one time we sat in the reception to see her she spent the entire time on her phone organising her night out the following night! Also no-one there on check out day to see us off which was poor. ||||Location:||The hotel is located out of the main Flaine Foret/ Flaine Forum area. Buses run outside the hotel down the and back but only until 5.30pm so you can’t get down/back in the evening (unless you want a 30min walk down icy paths down a big hill!) ||||Overall - not the worst but not the best hotel we have stayed at for skiing. The main problem with the hotel is the huge huge huge amount of feral children making it quite a stressful experience. Would be good to have simple rules - like no children unaccompanied at the...

Ski in - ski out: The hotel is situated on the Opales green run which takes you to Gerats chair lift (via a fair bit of pushing with ski poles) and then into Flaine Foret and into the main ski area. Coming back it is the reverse - however the last 50m you have to take off your skis and walk back to the boot room (so technically not ski in like other hotels we have stayed out). Boot room: You get your own ski locker per room which you set your own combination code on. Relatively big locker compared to other hotels we have stayed at, and heated boot racks which was nice. Avoid 0830-0930 and 1530-1630 if you wish to avoid the rush. Swimming pool: A big(ish) pool with small baby pool, sauna, and loungers situated around. We went at 1030 which was quiet until around 1130 where it got quite busy with loud children which ruined the relaxing atmosphere a bit. Buffet: Breakfast served between 7am-10am. Cereals. Pastries. Yoghurts. Some hot food (bacon/beans/eggs), however the quantity and variety changed day by day! Lunch served between 12pm-2pm. Dinner served between 7pm-9pm. This was generally the same food both times. Mixture of a meat option, potato accompaniment, pizzas, pizza, selection of desserts. Unfortunately this was ruined by so many feral children running around the buffet into people, loud and touching the food with their dirty hands. The French parents did not seem to care! Lots of other English commented on this too saying it ruined the eating atmosphere. You can also ask for a packed lunch to take away - order at reception by 7pm the night before. Baguette (option of tuna/ham and cheese/vegetable). You also get a packet of crisps, a fruit compote and a Madeline. No drink. Just ask for your packed lunch at breakfast. Another gripe is the table clearing - we had to clear our own table most days as they don’t have enough staff. Restaurant: You are given access 1x evening to the raclette/fondu restaurant (book your preferred date at reception on arrival). 7pm or 9pm option. This was a nice change - came with potato/deli meat/gerkins/bread/lettuce. Entertainment: Only really 1 option for adults at 9pm-10pm in the main bar. However was in French so we couldn’t understand it. Very busy too so couldn’t get a table close enough to see anything. Bar: A good selection of all inclusive drinks. https://www.belambra.fr/static/img/msb/carte-bar-2024-5B-LP.pdf In the buffet/restaurant there is only the option of water/sparkling water/red and white wine. So if you want anything else you have to bring it up from the bar which was quite annoying. Flaine skiing: An on resort - can easily do within the week. Lots of blue runs which is nice. Unfortunately we had poor visibility condition a for a lot of the week but that can’t be helped. If you want a family resort then this suits, however as an early 30’s couple we wouldn’t return - absolutely no apres at all on the mountain or in the town. Room: A pleasant room. We had a double overlooked the back of the hotel with a balcony. Unfortunately the mattress was the most uncomfortable we have ever slept on! So much so we struggled to sleep most nights which was annoying. Bathroom was nice with hot rainfall shower. Temperature was good with a good radiator which heated the room quickly. Crystal: Although we were told there was a welcome meeting on the 2nd night at 5.30pm - no Crystal rep turned up! We got a text the following day to say a new rep was allocated to the hotel but the one time we sat in the reception to see her she spent the entire time on her phone organising her night out the following night! Also no-one there on check out day to see us off which was poor. Location: The hotel is located out of the main Flaine Foret/ Flaine Forum area. Buses run outside the hotel down the and back but only until 5.30pm so you can’t get down/back in the evening (unless you want a 30min walk down icy paths down...