AliKats - Chalet Debussy & Chalet Bizet — Hotel in Thonon-les-Bains

Chalet Bizet: A Tale of Two Halves

Once upon a time, in the picturesque town of Morzine, there stood Chalet Bizet, promising a serene escape from the humdrum of life. Our fortnight’s adventure began with a week of bliss, where the only thing frozen was the ice in our drinks, not the smile on our faces. But as the second week dawned, so did our misfortunes.

The freezer, much like our initial enthusiasm, began to thaw, leading to a culinary catastrophe that coincided with six out of seven of us in a less-than-ideal tango with the toilet. Our promised gourmet feasts turned out to be nothing more than a mirage, with food that sometimes seemed to have taken a detour via the Arctic - partly cooked in a central kitchen and wholly disappointing. Queue the microwave for a rescue reheat. Yum. And amidst the smoke and mirrors of faux-cuisine, one could only yearn for a taste of local specialities, which remained as elusive as a good night's sleep.

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, was reduced to a game of 'beat the clock' with stale croissants that crumbled like our dreams and eggs that we were pressed to choose before our eyes could fully open.

Hygiene, it seems, was not on the staff's menu. Witnessing the same vacuum head dance from the dusty floors to the shelves where glasses gleamed was a sight to behold. And let's not forget the staff's personal affinity for one of the guest bathrooms - a mystery that perhaps explains the shared gastro gifts we all unwrapped.

In fairness though the hosts played their parts with a helpfulness that was commendable, if a little comical. They presented us with a nappy bin, a treasure chest for our baby’s offerings, and begrudgingly bestowed upon us the privilege to wield the mighty hob, a kitchen artifact usually forbidden for the common guest like ourselves; “insurance” apparently.

The washer-dryer, a modern-day Excalibur stuck in stone, refused to perform its legendary duties. But fear not, for the hosts guided us to the sacred laundry room of Chalet Debussy above, where the washer-dryer spun like a top, and our clothes found their promised dryness.

And then there’s the two days a week where we had to fend for ourselves. To go to town, we either had to book a taxi or use our noble steeds, the ‘so-called drivers’, who were more elusive than a snow leopard, requiring a booking spell cast well before the need arose. They were in fairness extremely kind and helpful, but clearly overwhelmed by the attention of their kindness. And lo, as twilight approached, the ‘included driver service’ turned mercenary, demanding €25 for the three mile trot into Morzine’s heart – quite the princely sum for a peasant’s ride. I suppose we could always have footed it.

Moreover on those two days in the week that the hosts were enjoying a much-earned break from our demands, the support crew were also super friendly and helpful. A big shout out to these unsung heroes of Alikats who may well have saved the last star in this review from the dustbin of failure.

In conclusion, a stay at Chalet Bizet might be perfect for the traveller seeking to ski all day and drown their sorrows and culinary disappointment with the cheap wine on offer, but despite its scenic views and promises of tranquility, we were delivered an experience that was as unforgettable as it was regrettable. A holiday that was supposed to be a symphony of relaxation turned into a symphony of calamities where we left feeling more exhausted than we arrived. Here's to hoping that future guests find the harmony that we,...

Chalet Debussy – what a gorgeous chalet! If you have stayed with AliKats before then you know what to expect from their catered chalet holidays (if you haven’t then what are you waiting for?). Cosy but spacious living areas; en-suite bedrooms with the comfiest beds; super clean, well-maintained facilities; hot tub; amazing food; unlimited wine; beyond helpful hosts; dedicated driver to whisk you to & from the slopes at whatever time suits you and a very easy & efficient booking system. Our stay at Chalet Debussy included all this wrapped up in the Indulgence Package – oh my! Champagne on arrival, pre-dinner cocktails, fine wines with dinner & the finale of a six course taster menu designed by Kat & served with paired wines on the last evening. Our hosts Alex & Fede were just brilliant – always cheerful, happy to have a chat, beautifully cooked meals & nothing was too much trouble – thank you so much guys! Perhaps the best thing about AliKats Mountain Holidays is the company ethos. Both Al & Kat are passionate about sustainability & protection of the wonderful environment they live & work in. They constantly work to reduce their carbon footprint & this is evident throughout the chalets with the products used, recycling, minimal waste, renewable energy & much more. We have spent many holidays with AliKats & are booked to return later in the season – there’s always room for just one more! This one was up there with the best –...

What an amazing holiday from start to finish. We have stayed in quite a few of the Alikats chalets, as you just can’t beat them, so we return year after year. This year we tried Chalet Debussy and it is stunning (my favourite so far). The rooms are beautiful, there are plenty of different areas to relax by yourself or socialise with the group, the view from the hot tub overlooking the valley is idyllic and it is so cosy and warm. The food has always been very special and this year it was excellent - from the bespoke breakfasts to the homemade afternoon cakes and the fab evening meal - most evenings at least one of the group would ask for the recipe! But what tops the holiday off is the team. We met quite a few of them and all of them, without exception, were fabulous. We were so lucky to have Joe and Rachelle in our chalet - you will not meet two warmer, lovelier, friendlier people. Nothing is too much trouble and they were so thoughtful while also being great fun - they really made it a great week. Morzine/Avoriaz offers so much as a resort, it is always going to be a good holiday, but Alikats really set themselves apart from all other chalet holidays as they just seem to be able to nail it all. I can’t recommend...