Expert guide to Avoriaz
Avoriaz is very much an apartment-based resort and started off aiming at mid-market/budget clientele with small basic apartments.
In recent years much more luxurious apartments have been built and a few UK catered chalet operators have moved in too. Although not really thought of as a hotel-based resort, there are also some interesting hotel options.
Hotels and apartments
Saskia Falaise
Located in a number of separate buildings near the entrance to the resort, the studio or one-bedroom Saskia Falaise apartments are basic, but have great views, balconies and are ski-in/ski-out.
Price: £
L’Amara
This five-star ski-in/ski-out residence is perched right on the edge of the cliff by the entrance to the resort and has fabulous views over the Morzine valley. L’Amara is made up of five interconnected buildings housing 204 high-quality one- to five-bedroom apartments, all with south or south-west facing balconies. The fabulous Deep Nature Spa has a large swimming pool, children’s pool, steam room, saunas, hot tubs and fitness area. There’s also an in-house nursery for children aged three to 12.
Price: ££
MiL8
Avoriaz’s newest hotel is MiL8 – named after the resort’s 1,800m altitude. This ski-in/ski-out four-star hotel has 42 ultra-modern rooms and suites, a restaurant and a wellness area with an outdoor infinity pool and a sauna, a cardio-training room and a massage and relaxation area, all of which are totally glass-fronted with breathtaking views.
Price: £££
Neige et Roc
A lovely, four-star hotel in Les Prodains close to the gondola up to Avoriaz, the Neige et Roc is in a delightful ski-in/ski-out position, with 30 cosy rooms and suites. The splendid restaurant has lots of old wood and an open fire. There’s an outdoor hot tub, indoor hydrotherapy pool and sauna.
Price: ££
Hotel Belambra Cimes du Soleil
Part of the French Belambra group of club hotels and resorts, the Cimes du Soleil is a family-friendly place with an all-season kids’ club for three to five year olds. There is another for six to 17 year olds on peak season dates. It is central but with ski-in/ski-out access, a sunny terrace and 252 rooms. Breakfast and dinner are buffet-style, with free wine with dinner, and evening entertainment is laid on.
Price: ££
Book it: From £939 with Inghams.
Hotel des Dromonts & Spa by Sowell
The original ski-in/ski-out hotel in Avoriaz, built in 1966, the four-star Hotel des Dromonts was taken over in 2014 by the Sibouet family, which runs very smart hotels in Megève, Val Thorens and the south of France. It was completely renovated in 1960s retro-style, with fabric wall coverings, plush carpets and lots of red cedar wood. Rooms vary from cosy 18sqm Classic rooms to a 44sqm family suite. There’s a lounge with an open fire, a bar, a choice of two restaurants and the Pure Altitude spa with saunas, steam room, fitness room, outdoor hot tub and three treatment rooms.
Price:£££
Hotel Les Lans
A small family-run three-star, Hotel Les Lans is in the quiet old hamlet of Les Prodains, 650 vertical metres below Avoriaz and reachable on skis by blue, red or black pistes. It makes an interesting alternative to staying in Avoriaz itself and is just 100m from the gondola up to Avoriaz (which runs until around 9pm each evening). It has a good reputation for food and serves a four-course dinner every evening. It is also a 15-minute bus ride from the slopes of Morzine.
Price: £
Book it: From £816 with Crystal.
Chalets
Chalet Beluga
A luxury chalet right by the piste in the centre of Avoriaz, Beluga was designed and built for tour operator VIP and opened in 2018. The décor is smart and modern, with lots of wood. The large open plan living/dining room features a log fire, comfy sofas, a music system, balcony and splendid panoramic views. All five en-suite bedrooms have flat screen TVs, most have balconies and two have bunks as well as a double bed. Plus there is a steam room and a small pool in the basement.
Price: £££
Book it: From £1,349 with VIP Ski.
Kouria
The 16 privately-owned and spacious Kouria apartments were rebuilt and refurbished to luxury standard a few years ago. Mainly three- and four- bedroomed, varying from 81 to 135sqm, with light and airy living rooms, these apartments are right at the entrance to the resort and have stunning views over the valley. There’s a pool, hot tub and steam room.
Price: ££
Book it: From £72 self catering based on six sharing, including FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossing, with Ski Collection.
Chalets in Ardent
Tour operator Family Ski runs nine catered chalets in the tiny hamlet of Ardent. It provides comprehensive childcare and the chalets vary in size from suiting one family to four families. Most have an outdoor hot tub, some have a sauna and all are just a short stroll from a gondola that takes you into the heart of the Avoriaz ski area.
Price: ££
Book it: From £828 at Chalet Plagnat with Family Ski.
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.