Tourism & Travel Review South Africa

Val Thorens Sensations takes snow holidays to the next level

Fur rocking chairs at the reception, a 10 metre rock climbing wall in the lobby, and a jacuzzi on the terrace overlooking the French Alps - Club Med has just taken European snow holidays to a whole other level with their latest hotel, Val Thorens Sensations - which opened its doors in December 2014.
View from hotel room balcony
View from hotel room balcony

Upon entering the hotel, which has been designed to enhance transparency and light, you'll be taken aback by just how exquisite and chic everything around you is, and the sheer scale of the complex is likely to have you in awe. The staff (who are affectionately known as G.O's) have an infectious energy and enthusiasm, and will go out of their way to ensure that your stay is nothing less than magnifique. Tiphaine was the gem of a G.O who took care of our #Snowclub15 group during this particular trip, and she went above and beyond what was expected.

The amenities at the hotel are top class. The bedrooms are modern and spacious, with most kitted out with a balcony overlooking the slopes. All bedrooms are designed so that they face the sun, ensuring that guests get the most out of the sunshine that floods in throughout the day (which is a godsend when the sun sets in the evenings. You are in the snow-filled Alps, after all.)

Basic wifi is free for guests at the hotel, where premium wifi access (unlimited, and at a faster speed) is available at an additional cost. Yurts restaurant is the main restaurant that covers your breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yurts goes all out with their buffets at each meal time offering everything from croissants to a full English for breakfast, and pasta, burgers and frog legs (for that authentic French experience) for dinner. All exquisitely presented and cooked. Foodies looking for an extra-special treat can book the Epicurious restaurant to enjoy taster menus from Michelin-star chef, Edouard Loubet, and spend time in a world class wine cellar for a wine tasting session. After a long day out on the slopes, enjoy a well-deserved time out in the form of a massage or spa treatment at the Club Med Spa by CARITA - your muscles will thank you. Trust me.

Each afternoon and evening, there is entertainment around a different theme at the Oxygen bar, which turns into a nightclub after dinner (if you have the energy after a full day out on the slopes.) One afternoon upon our return from snowboarding, we were welcomed by slip'n'slide human bowling in the bar, which was a fun surprise to say the least. The hotel's fully equipped ski and snowboard gear room provides guests an opportunity to rent or purchase skis, snowboards, boots and helmets, and other accessories, at an additional cost. One of the best features of this resort is the ski-in/ski-out facility, directly accessible from the ski gear room in the hotel.

Where a big focus in the Val Thorens region is snowboarding and skiing, Club Med has taken it upon themselves to create a bunch of activities that guests can enjoy on days that they may be taking a break from the slopes. Cardio-training, fitness classes, yoga sessions, rock wall-climbing, kitchen classes, and poker are all available for guests, indoors; and outside of the resort, there are options to head out on a snowmobile, paragliding, snowshoe hiking, and ice driving.

Club Med is synonymous, worldwide, for their all-inclusive travel packages, which will completely change the way you do snow holidays. For this ski holiday: flights and transfers to the hotel, all meals (and snacks in between), drinks (all day) from the open bar, ski passes, ski or snowboarding lessons (from professional ESF instructors), and entertainment at the resort, was included in the package. Not having to worry about logistically finding our way from Geneva airport to Val Thorens was amazing. From the time we touched down at Geneva airport, we were covered.

The hotel itself sits in a prime position in Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe (2300 metres above sea level). "At the top of the 3 Vallées, it opens out onto the world's largest ski area, with 600 kilometres of equipped slopes, 320 signposted runs, and some 174 ski lifts." This makes for epic skiing and snowboarding conditions all through the season. Val Thorens in general has its fair share of hidden gems that make it the ultimate snow holiday destination. At one point, during heavy snowfall we found ourselves taking a monster gondola up to Cime de Caron (3195 metres above sea level) - which also happens to be the highest free wifi point in Europe - enjoying a mug of chocolat chaud. Bucket list material? I'd say so. On a clear day, the views will take your breath away, and you'll see snow-capped mountains and blue skies for miles. I've never seen bluer skies than I have in Val Thorens, which makes for an incredible backdrop for holiday photos and action shots. There are free wifi hotspots at most chair lifts, gondolas and apres ski venues scattered throughout Val Thorens, so you'll always be "in touch" even out on the slopes. The region has its own live cam going, which streams the latest weather and updates from the area.

It's difficult to fault this ski region, that's for sure.

A cool thing I found out about the Val Thorens Sensations hotel is that it is a first of its kind to be completely crowd-sourced. When it came to the hotel design, concept and activities, Club Med took to Facebook to get locals and fans of the brand to vote for what they wanted from the huge 384-room hotel (which might explain the Austin Powers inspired fur rocking chairs.) Pundits even chose the hotel's name. Great brand exercise by Club Med, and something interesting to bear in mind as you wander through the très chic resort.

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