Testimonials

Jack was an outstanding host during our stay, nothing was too much trouble, he had a great attitude and really helped to make our holiday special. He kept the chalet spotlessly clean and his cooking was superb! We would like to give Jack five plus stars! The only reason that we gave four stars rather than five was due to the fact that the coach from the airport to resort was cramped, we struggled to find seats in our couples and were unable to sit together as a group and store our hand luggage. In the eight years we have been skiing with VIP this is the worst transfer we have ever experienced. We also suggest that rather having paper cups filled from a bottle by the VIP representative reusable bottles with a VIP logo be provided. We are not looking forward to the return transfer because of this! The chalet was beautifully fitted out with new TVs in the bedrooms, but they did not work and the chalet manager said that this had been reported to the owner and that was as much as she could do. They still did not work at the end of the week.

The hotel is lovely and the rooms are nice and spacious. I understand that VIP Ski has only recently acquired the hotel but we were a little disappointed that the room only had a shower and not a bath. The staff were very friendly and enthusiastic but it was very hard to find someone when you needed something during the day and reception and the bar were often left unattended. The food was superb and there was a great choice however my major issue with my stay and the reason for four and not five stars is that kids seem to be completely overlooked. When we were on the bus from the airport we were asked to choose our dinner for that evening. I asked the VIP Ski rep on the bus what we should do for our kids as they wouldn't be interested in the choices on offer. I was told that the kids would only join us for the first dinner but with thereafter have their own dinner at 17h30 and that they would call the chef to ask what the options were for the kids. At 17h30 that first day, I went down stair with my kids to clarify the eating arrangements and what the options were for kids. I was again told that kids would be joining the adults on the first night and would thereafter be served high tea at 17h30. Again I asked what the kids would be served and was told on the first night they would be served miniature versions of the adults meal. At 19h00 we went down to the bar for arrival drinks and dinner. In the restaurant my wife and I were served our starters and when mains came I asked where the kids food was only to be asked what I had ordered for them (all contrary to every discussion I had previously had). Having been up and travelling since the very small hours of the morning and having a particularly stressful drive to the airport, I really had to calm myself. At nearly 21h00 my kids were served fish fingers and chips (absolutely perfect for an 8 and 4 year old). When it came to desert it was apparent that this had also not been considered and when we ask that a plan be made, the kids were given vanilla ice cream. All good. At the end of our meal when we gave our preferences for the next evenings meal we were told that the kids would be served dinner in the bar area at 17h30 and that the meal would be chicken nuggets and chips. Perfect! A couple of minutes later we were told that here was option for chicken and leak pie which we laughingly declined. The next evening when the kids were seated for dinner, to their collective horror, they were all served chicken and leak pie with peas. I am not sure who does the menus but they obviously don't have small children. All of the parents were incredible irritated (apparently the other set of parents stay in the hotel were spoken to before us and were offered chicken and leak pie for their kids and said that that wasn't great and were then offered chicken nuggets and chips), the chef came out and apologised and told us that he hadn't received any feedback that there was an issue with the choice of meal. To his credit he did arrange the chicken nuggets and the kids were very happy. At that point, Sam took over and in consultation with the parents, drew up a meal plan for the rest of the week. The whole experience made me very unhappy and made us question if we had made a terrible mistake booking with VIP Ski who knew we had kids and what their ages were. It confounds me that more care is not taken by VIP to not only better cater for the kids but to do things for the kids to make them feel more involved and enjoyable because if kids are happy, parents are happy, and happy parents spend more and come back. I would have been very happy to have had dinner with my kids every night as it is not very easy to spend time with them on a family holiday when they are at ski school from 09h30 to 15h00, have to get back to the hotel, bathe and be ready for dinner at 17h30 and then the parent need to bathe and be ready for their dinner at 19h00 to 19h30. My wife also mentioned to me that the kids were never offered drinks with their meal. The VIP Ski promotional documentation says that "There will be also be fresh bread and a variety of jams, accompanied by hot chocolate.." There was no hot chocolate on offer and only after my wife pointed it out that the VIP Ski documentation mentioned it sachets of hot chocolate were provided. I am sure that it would have been very easy for the kitchen have made the most amazing hot chocolate with the ingredients available in Austria for everyone to enjoy. For most of our stay the wifi in the hotel was spotty at best but not working at all most of the time. The team did their best to make a plan and brought in an extra wifi router to place in the bar. I wanted to arrange everything before we arrived but received an e-mail on the 23rd of December saying that Ski school for my son was not invoiced, creating a last minute scramble to transfer money (I live in South Africa and was traveling to the UK to visit family for Christmas) which in itself was not a big issue but when added to the other issues, just detracted from the experience. We stayed with VIP in Val d'Isere 9 years and based on that experience, I must admit that I did expect a bit more. Having said all of this, the issues we experience were all at the start of the trip but by the time we left, they had been resolved and we had a great holiday having made wonderful memories. James, Stefan and Sam were stand outs for us.

The Manoir is truely amazing such a beautiful house. Not your traditional ski chalet which personally I loved all the decor &furnishings are stunning. We will definitely come back. Our chalet hosts were fabulous, helpfull, fun, and so accommodating. The only gripe is having to walk to the lift but it wasnt so bad,

Je souhaite remercier toute l équipe vous avez été au top. Nous avons été heureux de tous vous rencontrer , vous êres super toujours la quand on avais besoin de vous.

It's a beautiful experience in Avoriaz. The personal is very nice and very professional. I'm come back !!!! Thank's