High end:
Chalet Richermoz (01291 691917) is a luxury chalet located in the rural village of Peisey Nancroix – a four-minute walk from the Televillage lift which takes you up to the slopes in a few minutes. Sleeping up to 20 in eight en-suite rooms, facilities include an eight-person hot tub, 10-person sauna and a gym area equipped with a cross trainer and rowing machine. In-room massages are also available. Guests receive a champagne reception on arrival and the chalet’s chef creates three-course meals each evening.
Chalet de l’Ours, Arc 2000 (+33 (0)4 79 00 85 00) is the crème de la crème of apartment complexes, and this is saying something in a resort where 95 percent of accommodation is apartments. Chalet de l’Ours has 20 spacious apartments, with a rustic wooden interior and complimentary designer furnishings, all to a far higher standard than the norm. The complex makes use of a large private swimming pool with spa facilities including sauna linked underground. The complex is rated 4 star – the highest available in Les Arcs.
Mid-level:
The Hotel du Golf, Village Charvet, Arc 1800 (+33 (0)4 79 41 43 43) is one of the original institutions of the resort, although much renovated since, in the heart of the main resort – Arc 1800. Rated three stars, prices range from around €100 per room bed and breakfast for two adults in main season to nearer €250 for a package including lift passes. Rooms range from singles to triples and have flat screen TVs. The hotel’s spa incorporates an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, and a wide range of body treatments are available.
Economy lodging
Village Clubs du Soleil, The Charmettoger, Arc 1800 (+33 (0)4 91 04 87 04) provides typical, functional apartments at the base of the slopes. What makes this large complex interesting is that you can opt in to a fully-inclusive option that not only includes your lift pass and ski rental but also full board, with a picnic or restaurant lunch depending on whether you wish to stay out on the slopes or not. Dining options also include adult-only; families with children aged over six; and families with children aged under 6. There are childcare options onsite too as well as basic fitness facilities.
Condo/House rentals
With more than 30,000 apartment beds in resort, there’s a huge choice of apartments to rent in Les Arcs either direct from the companies that own or manage them, or for increased security and sometimes practical assistance and deals on travel, through a British tour operator. Some of the companies you can rent from direct include Odalys Vacances (+33(0)4 79 41 69 00) who are responsible for the superb 4 star Résidence Edenarc recently built just above arc 1800, with excellent facilities including a large swimming pool complex behind a huge glass wall overlooking the slopes. There are many other companies operating in Arc 1980 – visit the accommodation section at lesarcs.com for a fairly complete list. In Arc 1950 the Résidence Radisson Blu Resort Arc 1950 (+33(0)4 79 23 10 00) is a high class choice, as is the Résidence Pierre & Vacances Premium Le Village (+33(0)4 79 04 19 50) – both are rated five star. Down at Arc 1600 there’s the 4 star Résidence Lagrange (+33(0)892 160 500) and at Arc 2000 the Hôtel Club les Mélèzes (+33(0)4 79 07 50 50).
Many of these properties, and others, have been selected by UK travel specialists to Les Arcs who can provide packages including travel and, if you self drive, Channel Tunnel crossings and en route accommodation in some cases. Options include Ski Collection (0844 576 0175) and Erna Low (020 3411 4933).
