Review: Airelles Val d'Isère, France (Perfect!)

Philosophical question - is three nights at this resort worth 500,000 Capital One or Amex points, or 333,333 Capital One points? I know Lucky that you basically only ever transfer points to mileage programs, but I can see someone that is more points rich than cash rich splurge for points for this kind of experience.

That looks fabulous. This appeals to me more than Courchevel.

awesome review. Note that the shells are made by Fusalp, one of my favorite overpriced European ski (and apres-ski) brands. It was started by the family that initially launched Lacoste and you can see the similar design elements.

Hotel looks great. Did they off an all-inclusive in Courchevel as well?

While the value is certainly there, one of the main attractions of skiing on that side of the pond are the incredible on-piste restaurants for lunch which takes a bit away from the all inclusive attractiveness, even if it makes financial sense.

I’m wondering if you paid $1600 Euro /night? I’m guessing by the wording—no. I truly enjoy your site but when you go to better end hotels I don’t think your reviewing from a retail point of view. And that’s quite important to me and I suspect others. Because if the RC in Grand Cayman was $300/night I’d be doing cartwheels of praise

Awesome review! Although with most of your French hotel reviews, I am starting to sense a theme of gross under indulging in top notch French pastries and desserts, which is such a shame :P.

The Airelles properties are worth every penny, full stop.

This is by far my favorite hotel review. Who could ask for much more in a ski hotel? I look forward to taking out a loan and spending a long while there. Lol

Lovely hotel, definitely worth what you pay, but...you'll eat foie gras but not pork?

Looks incredible

@ Julia -- Nope, I don't eat foie gras, but Ford does.

@ Anthony -- Sorry if the wording wasn't clear. Yes, we paid exactly the rate I listed, we didn't get any sort of discount. While I can understand how some hotels I review might not seem like they offer value for money, I genuinely believe Airelles does, at least in comparison to other comparable luxury hotels.

@ BC -- Fascinating, thanks for those insights! Airelles Courchevel offered a half board rate when we stayed, so you could choose whether you wanted to have lunch or dinner as part of that. That was probably a blessing, as it was easier not to overeat.

@ Anthony -- That's a great question. Assuming someone generates a lot of points and could redeem them at a non-horrible rate, then I absolutely think it could be worth the splurge. That's especially true when you consider how much is included with the rate, which you wouldn't get at many other hotels one might redeem at.

What an absolutely beautiful and charming resort. This is what I think a ski lodge in the alps would look and feel like. With the skiing, activities and all the wonderful food (for just a little more), I would probably never leave the resort!! Ski after breakfast and after lunch then fully enjoy the ambiance, luxury and warmth of the resort.

Airelles is an incredible group of hotels. Sometimes I wonder if they actually make money 😛

Rate was pretty decent for what you get and when compared to US ski destinations. Now I assume that rate is for end of season since that will probably be way more in the peak of ski season.

Great review, indeed!

Lovely review Ben. But was there avocado toast?

This is soo like a cruise: it's just a never-ending supply of food!

May I ask what you did with your child in the meantime, did you leave him with your parents? I am curious because I will probably be in the same situation within the next 2-3 years and always wondered at what age it is "okay" to have a vacation without your child (for us I suppose breastfeeding could/would also play a role)? I did not read about this yet, but the thought of not being able to do any longhaul travel for 2-3 or more years is horrifying to me, but then again I also don't want to give my future child abandonment issues at an early age, if that is a thing.

Thank you for the marvellous review but particularly thank you for taking the time to comment on the comparison between the two alpine resorts which was the question on my lips. Love that you pre-empted the question in such a perceptive and thoughtful review.

What age is “okay?” Ask 100 people and you’ll get 100 answers!

Thank you for the review - I was looking forward to this one! The price differences between Europe and the US when it comes to skiing are insane... especially when you factor in families. I know they have a kids club etc, did you see other people there with children?

We did one of the Clubmed resorts this year in the Alps and honestly that experience with children was completely unrivaled. I think the equivalent in the US would have been 2x the cost. If this resort has onsite childcare as part of the kids club it may actually be worth the splurge.

Haha - you beat me to it. No trip report is complete without a boring pic of mundane avocado toast which is so 2010's!

Why do you keep talking about it if it’s so boring? Ben didn’t even mention it but you still want to talk about it. It seems you are the one that’s so 2010s!

I'm not sure I have a good answer on the abandonment question, we've only left our daughter for weekends away so far. But why would you have to give up long haul flying altogether for 2-3 years? You could always take your kid with you. Granted, we are expats living in Europe so we don't feel the urge to travel long haul for vacation, but we've taken our 2.5 year old daughter back to the US three times without an issue.

@Ben Can you do a ranking of hotels you’ve been to? By region, type, etc.?

You are starting to get some great luxury hotels under your belt and I’d love a bucket list

Airelles to me seems like the type of place you go to eat, eat, and eat some more, and leave only airlifted by helicopter hahah. amazing review as always, Im #TeamCourchevel resort wise, but this Airelles decor and style seems 100000x better than the other one.

Any comparison to the Megeve ski area? Was thinking of planning ski trip there to stay at the Four Seasons but I need to consider Val d’Isere after reading your review.

Hi so if u have to choose to go skiing and to bring a toddler and a baby, would you choose airelles courchevel or airelles val disere?

Thanks so much