Expert guide to Sauze d’Oulx
While Sauze d’Olux’s village is notable for its charm, a warren of narrow lanes with a fountain and an attractive old church set at 1,509m, it’s not the place to come for an upmarket, luxurious experience. There are four four-star hotels, but most of the accommodation available is in fairly basic two- and three-stars.
There are also a few catered chalets run by British tour operators and some apartments.
The whole village is set on quite a steep slope and it’s an uphill walk to get to the Clotes access chairlift, so the position of accommodation is important. There are ski buses that run till around 5.30pm, however they are not included in the lift pass.
The nightlife is lively here, and for a quieter time still with direct access to the slopes by chairlift, there’s the option to stay just down the hill in Jouvenceaux. It is a smaller, beautifully restored old village with a couple of bar-restaurants and a lovely chapel in the centre with 15th century frescoes adorning the walls.
Hotels
Chaberton Lodge and Spa
The best four-star hotel in town, Chaberton Lodge and Spa has comfortably furnished bedrooms, rustic style public rooms with wood beamed ceilings and lots of stone, including a bar with an open fire. It also has a good reputation for gourmet food. Entry to the adults-only spa is free, and it has a salt water pool, sauna, steam room, hot tub and gym. It’s a 10 minute walk to the village centre and to the lifts, but there’s a bus stop nearby and the hotel runs its own bus service to and from the lifts at set times.
Price:£££
Hotel La Torre
This distinctive circular four-star Hotel Torre Spa and Restaurant was built by Fiat boss Giovanni Agnelli in art deco style in 1937. An internal spiral walkway weaves its way to all the floors (there are lifts too). La Torre was designed to allow in lots of natural light and give wonderful views all round, and modern art decorates the bedrooms and public rooms. Its impressive wellness centre next door includes a small pool, sauna, steam room and gym (charges apply). The hotel is just outside the centre, 500m from a chairlift but the hotel has a free minibus service.
Price: £
Chalet Faure
A welcoming and woody B&B, Chalet Faure is right in the heart of the old village and cobbled streets. It has just 11 simple but comfortable rooms, which have been renovated in a rustic, mountain style, creating a cosy and warm atmosphere. A small wellness centre offers a sauna, steam room and treatments.
Price: £
Gran Baita
A comfortable 3-star just 70m from the old village and 300m from the ski lifts, the Gran Baita has 32 newly refurbished and comfortable rooms set over four floors. The food served in the elegant restaurant is highly rated, as is the extensive buffet breakfast. There’s a sauna, massage shower and relaxation area.
Price: ££
Book it: From £550 for five nights half board with Iglu Ski.
Gran Trun
In the old village, the three-star Gran Trun B&B is a modernised old building dating from 1883. It is 400m from the slopes and runs its own shuttle bus to and from. The modern bedrooms are nicely furnished. There’s a buffet breakfast and a lovely wine bar where old barrels are used as tables.
Price: ££
Stella Alpina
Right at the foot of the pistes and 100m from the Clotes chairlift, the three-star Stella Alpina is run by ex-pat Briton Caroline and her Italian husband and family. The standard, superior and family rooms are all tastefully decorated in traditional Alpine style and many have piste or mountain-facing views. The first floor restaurant overlooks the piste and serves good food and reasonably priced house wine. There’s a bar, the Scotch, on the ground floor of the hotel, and plenty of others nearby.
Price: ££
Book it: €80pp/pn booked direct.
Hotel Sauze
Just 20 metres from the slopes the Sauze has 31 compact modern rooms, many with wooden floors, ceilings and walls. There’s a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and excellent staff. There’s a lovely woody bar and a restaurant with great views. Free tea and cookies every day from 4pm to 5pm.
Price: ££
Book it: From £597 seven nights half board with Sno.
Villa Cary
A central, family-run three-star hotel in the main square, Villa Cary is five minutes’ walk from the Clotes chairlift to the slopes. Bedrooms are adequate en-suites with TVs and most have balconies. The service from Marilyn and her team is very friendly, and food good and hearty, including excellent home-made pasta dishes.
Price: £
Book it: From £549 with Inghams.
Chalets
Chalet La Petitta
An eight-bedroom catered chalet run by a Dutch company in a little square with a fountain in the village of Jouvenceaux, 1.5km from Sauze d’Oulx, but only 150m from a high-speed four-seat chairlift. Chalet La Petitta has been beautifully renovated and dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Bedrooms are simply furnished en-suites and there is an atmospheric vaulted lounge/dining/bar area with old stone ceilings and pillars. The bus service to/from Sauze finishes at 5.30pm, so the chalet suits people looking for quiet evenings and is popular with families and groups.
Price: £
Book it: From €425 with chaletbeyond.nl, excluding travel.
Il Capricorno
A ski-in/ski-out four-star on the mountain – guests and luggage arrive and depart by snowmobile – Il Capricorno has 10 charming, wood-clad rooms, many with balconies and stunning mountain views. While the location means it’s not for nightlife lovers, there’s a cosy lounge with comfy chairs and sofas, and a bar area leading to the atmospheric restaurant with beams and a low ceiling that is featured in the Michelin guide. Lots of the hotel’s furniture is hand made, and there are interesting and quirky paintings and ornaments.
Price:£££
Book it: Half board from €140pp/pn booked direct, excluding travel.
Booking.com rates above are guide prices per person per night, please note that packages can differ across accommodation. Please check the properties’ websites for further information on what’s included.
Unless stated otherwise, package prices are per person, based on two sharing a double or twin room half-board for seven nights, including flights and transfers.