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Hôtel Les Gentianes
299 avenue de Brandes, 38750 L'Alpe d'Huez France
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#15 of 24 hotels in L'Alpe d'HuezLocation
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HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Business
Property amenities
Free parking
Wifi
Paid wifi
Bar / lounge
Skiing
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Non-smoking hotel
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Location
299 avenue de Brandes, 38750 L'Alpe d'Huez France
Name/address in local language
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 86 out of 100
86
34 Restaurants
within 0.5 kilometers
117Reviews2Q+A3Room tips
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Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
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Detailed Reviews
I stayed in this hotel over Christmas and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone visiting Alpe d'Huez. One of the best things about it is its proximity to the slopes - you can be out the door, up a lift and skiing within 5 minutes!
The hotel itself had everything we could need: very clean and warm, no noise, a nice bar, wifi and televisions, family-friendly and it includes a good breakfast (croissants, breads, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit, jams etc.), which kept you going for a morning of skiing.
It is in a very convenient location, just across the road from the Palais de Sports where there is a gym, cinema and other sporting facilities. There are also many good restaurants nearby, none more than 5 minutes walking.
The owner, Guylaine, is very friendly and kind - it is for this reason that my family choose this hotel every time they visit. I look forward to staying in Les Gentianes when I return to Alpe d'Huez in the future.
The hotel itself had everything we could need: very clean and warm, no noise, a nice bar, wifi and televisions, family-friendly and it includes a good breakfast (croissants, breads, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, fruit, jams etc.), which kept you going for a morning of skiing.
It is in a very convenient location, just across the road from the Palais de Sports where there is a gym, cinema and other sporting facilities. There are also many good restaurants nearby, none more than 5 minutes walking.
The owner, Guylaine, is very friendly and kind - it is for this reason that my family choose this hotel every time they visit. I look forward to staying in Les Gentianes when I return to Alpe d'Huez in the future.
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at the Hotel Les Gentianes before, and came back for another
week between Christmas and New Year 2015. The fact that we came back is a good recommendation for this hotel.
The hotel is really well located, close to everything. The Rif Nel lift is about 250m from the door of the hotel, and the Marmottes- 1 chairlift is about 200m beyond this. There are a couple of restaurants in the Bergers Center, where the Ski Pass office is also located. Going the opposite direction, it is about 300m to Avenue des Jeux where there are several good restaurants and shops.
Guylaine who owns Hotel Les Gentianes is always welcoming and helpful. We had reserved skis online with Nevada Sports (Avenue de l'Etendard). Before going to the shop for fitting, Guylaine called them to arrange for the Nevada to deliver the equipment to our hotel. On the day we were leaving she arranged an early breakfast for us before we caught our bus.
The rooms are very clean, warm and cosy, and we have always had a good nights sleep after a day skiing. Breakfast is plentiful. Freshly baked croissants, baguettes, cereals, fruit, jams, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. You can help yourself to as much as you like.
The hotel bar has a real wood fire, there are board games available, and a pool table. It is a comfortable spot for a drink before heading out to dinner. (The bar closes early which means that the hotel is peaceful and quiet at night).
All the hotel staff are very friendly and helpful.
If organising a ski trip to Alpe-d'Huez I would suggest
Fly Ryanair to Grenoble
Take Ben's bus service from the airport to Alpe d'Huez
(this bus stops across the road from Les Gentianes at the Palais des Sports)
Stay at Les Gentianes
Buy lift passes in advance from sataski - and collect them at Les Bergers Centre
Reserve equipment online from Nevada Sports
Eat at any of the following restaurants :
At the Bergers Center
Tremplin
Taverne des Bergers
On Avenue des Jeux
Pinocchio - great pizza, inexpensive
Le Bato Ivre
Pommes de Pins
Sporting
Au Grenier
A little further away
L'Edelweiss
week between Christmas and New Year 2015. The fact that we came back is a good recommendation for this hotel.
The hotel is really well located, close to everything. The Rif Nel lift is about 250m from the door of the hotel, and the Marmottes- 1 chairlift is about 200m beyond this. There are a couple of restaurants in the Bergers Center, where the Ski Pass office is also located. Going the opposite direction, it is about 300m to Avenue des Jeux where there are several good restaurants and shops.
Guylaine who owns Hotel Les Gentianes is always welcoming and helpful. We had reserved skis online with Nevada Sports (Avenue de l'Etendard). Before going to the shop for fitting, Guylaine called them to arrange for the Nevada to deliver the equipment to our hotel. On the day we were leaving she arranged an early breakfast for us before we caught our bus.
The rooms are very clean, warm and cosy, and we have always had a good nights sleep after a day skiing. Breakfast is plentiful. Freshly baked croissants, baguettes, cereals, fruit, jams, juice, coffee, tea and hot chocolate. You can help yourself to as much as you like.
The hotel bar has a real wood fire, there are board games available, and a pool table. It is a comfortable spot for a drink before heading out to dinner. (The bar closes early which means that the hotel is peaceful and quiet at night).
All the hotel staff are very friendly and helpful.
If organising a ski trip to Alpe-d'Huez I would suggest
Fly Ryanair to Grenoble
Take Ben's bus service from the airport to Alpe d'Huez
(this bus stops across the road from Les Gentianes at the Palais des Sports)
Stay at Les Gentianes
Buy lift passes in advance from sataski - and collect them at Les Bergers Centre
Reserve equipment online from Nevada Sports
Eat at any of the following restaurants :
At the Bergers Center
Tremplin
Taverne des Bergers
On Avenue des Jeux
Pinocchio - great pizza, inexpensive
Le Bato Ivre
Pommes de Pins
Sporting
Au Grenier
A little further away
L'Edelweiss
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Date of stay: December 2015Trip type: Travelled with family
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The hotel is extremely clean, and I really do mean it! Very friendly and helpful staff.
Unfortunately you are not allowed to drink any alcohol in the rooms and were even told off when brought some snacks and juice in a bag after coming from a shop.
The corridors to get to rooms have low ceiling, probably around 170 cm total height which doesn't help a tall person like me, banged my head a few times.
The hotel provided us with playing cards and even playing chips when there was nothing to do and gave salted crackers on the side of ordered drinks.
The breakfast were quite small and hard to feed someone fully on them, croissant, orange juice, some yogurt, tea / coffee, cereal.
As previously said the walls are very thin and it's not hard to hear someone's conversation next room. The credit card machine is said to be not working but magically started working when we had no other method of payment; presumably to cut costs.
Overall a nice place to stay, family business very cosy would recommend.
Unfortunately you are not allowed to drink any alcohol in the rooms and were even told off when brought some snacks and juice in a bag after coming from a shop.
The corridors to get to rooms have low ceiling, probably around 170 cm total height which doesn't help a tall person like me, banged my head a few times.
The hotel provided us with playing cards and even playing chips when there was nothing to do and gave salted crackers on the side of ordered drinks.
The breakfast were quite small and hard to feed someone fully on them, croissant, orange juice, some yogurt, tea / coffee, cereal.
As previously said the walls are very thin and it's not hard to hear someone's conversation next room. The credit card machine is said to be not working but magically started working when we had no other method of payment; presumably to cut costs.
Overall a nice place to stay, family business very cosy would recommend.
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Let me sum up our experience:
1. When we arrived we were greeted to an unwelcome reception by yourself. You should really learn some better manners.
2. When I made the mistake about the one day extra - you offered no solution, instead you made it a big issue.
3. When you go on holiday it is not common for owners to interrupt your stay all the time. This happened all the time and was most unwelcome.
Here are a few examples:
- People coming into the chalet while we were sleeping! I suggest that next time there is work to be done in the chalet you warn people. Any inspections should also be scheduled.
- Telling us when to do our dishes and cleaning - we are on holiday and will decide when to do the cleaning up. There were also no ants - I feel you lied about this.
- Telling me specifically that 'I am not 11 years old'. This is not the way you speak to guests. I am a 32 year old man that will not be spoken to in this disrespectful manner.
- Your mother telling us she didn't like us drinking beer. We are on holiday and are allowed to have a few beers. At no point were we drunk and loud.
- Your mother telling us were to do everything. I suggest you put signs up to instruct people accordingly and leave guests to their holiday.
- Your mother telling Mark he should speak more French. This is uncalled for when he was trying to communicate with her in French.
4. The double bedroom was also an issue. If you don't want anyone to stay in there then lock it. Unaware to me at the time, Mark had some trouble sleeping and needed his own room. It was available, unlocked and we had hired the whole chalet, so we used it.
5. Being accused that there were more than 4 people staying there. I assure you there was only 4 and no more. It is not good to accuse guests without proof.
6. Being told when we first got there that we were not allowed to use the kitchen. I rented a chalet which we assume comes with a kitchen.
In summary, I felt that you were inhospitable, did not listen, and checked up on us all the time. Not something we paid all that money for and definitely not something you want on holiday. I suggest that you do not rent the chalet out if you are so emotionally attached to it and mountain bikers are such a problem. You are fortunate that I don't report you to the tourism board and write bad reviews on-line.
How do I sum up our stay in a few words 'Chalet Fabylaine - really nice place - pity about the owners.'
1. When we arrived we were greeted to an unwelcome reception by yourself. You should really learn some better manners.
2. When I made the mistake about the one day extra - you offered no solution, instead you made it a big issue.
3. When you go on holiday it is not common for owners to interrupt your stay all the time. This happened all the time and was most unwelcome.
Here are a few examples:
- People coming into the chalet while we were sleeping! I suggest that next time there is work to be done in the chalet you warn people. Any inspections should also be scheduled.
- Telling us when to do our dishes and cleaning - we are on holiday and will decide when to do the cleaning up. There were also no ants - I feel you lied about this.
- Telling me specifically that 'I am not 11 years old'. This is not the way you speak to guests. I am a 32 year old man that will not be spoken to in this disrespectful manner.
- Your mother telling us she didn't like us drinking beer. We are on holiday and are allowed to have a few beers. At no point were we drunk and loud.
- Your mother telling us were to do everything. I suggest you put signs up to instruct people accordingly and leave guests to their holiday.
- Your mother telling Mark he should speak more French. This is uncalled for when he was trying to communicate with her in French.
4. The double bedroom was also an issue. If you don't want anyone to stay in there then lock it. Unaware to me at the time, Mark had some trouble sleeping and needed his own room. It was available, unlocked and we had hired the whole chalet, so we used it.
5. Being accused that there were more than 4 people staying there. I assure you there was only 4 and no more. It is not good to accuse guests without proof.
6. Being told when we first got there that we were not allowed to use the kitchen. I rented a chalet which we assume comes with a kitchen.
In summary, I felt that you were inhospitable, did not listen, and checked up on us all the time. Not something we paid all that money for and definitely not something you want on holiday. I suggest that you do not rent the chalet out if you are so emotionally attached to it and mountain bikers are such a problem. You are fortunate that I don't report you to the tourism board and write bad reviews on-line.
How do I sum up our stay in a few words 'Chalet Fabylaine - really nice place - pity about the owners.'
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Date of stay: July 2010Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here during the carnaval week in 2006 for the ski holiday. We used 2 rooms as we are a family of 5. This hotel qualifies itself as 2 star. It doesn't deserve more.
Breakfast is so so. When you are going to ski you need a proper breakfast, which we didn't have here. Only 1 croissant per person and for the rest you need to manage with hard biscuits.
The rooms were so so as well. I just didn't fall off the bed, but it was not straight. Also, when skiing you need a good nightrest, which we didn't get here due to the poor quality of the beds.
I booked the hotel as it is relatively cheap compared to others, but as they don't include a dinner you need to go out every night in expensive Alpe. For a family of 5 this runs up. So, it is better to find a hotel with diner included and of course a better quality hotel!!!
Location is perfect though! Just a 200 meter walk to the piste.
Breakfast is so so. When you are going to ski you need a proper breakfast, which we didn't have here. Only 1 croissant per person and for the rest you need to manage with hard biscuits.
The rooms were so so as well. I just didn't fall off the bed, but it was not straight. Also, when skiing you need a good nightrest, which we didn't get here due to the poor quality of the beds.
I booked the hotel as it is relatively cheap compared to others, but as they don't include a dinner you need to go out every night in expensive Alpe. For a family of 5 this runs up. So, it is better to find a hotel with diner included and of course a better quality hotel!!!
Location is perfect though! Just a 200 meter walk to the piste.
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Date of stay: February 2006Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have been to Alpe d'Huez several times. We had stayed at Les Gentianes a couple of years ago - and it was our first choice of accommodation when we decided to come back this year. The owner Guylaine is very welcoming (she offered to pick us up from the bus station - but this wasnt necessary as the bus stopped across the road).
Our room was clean warm and comfortable. There was plenty of space for 2 adults and 2 teenage boys and all the ski gear. (The room has a large flatscreen TV with all the usual connections). Our room on the 1st floor was located to the side of the hotel so it was quiet (there was a little traffic noise when the ploughs are clearing the road in the morning).
Breakfast is simple - juice, cereal, croissant, bread and jam plus plenty of coffee / hot chocolate. This suits those of us who want to get fueled up and out on the slopes early.
The location is superb -its about 500m from the Bergers lift station. Gentianes guests receive a discount on equipment rental at Nevada Sports. (They store skis & boots overnight so there is no need to walk around the resort in skiboots).
After skiing the bar area is comfortable with a real fire (and a pool table in an alcove).
The hotel is less than 5 mins walk from restaurants / town centre.
If you are visiting Alpe d'Huez to ski then this is an ideal place to stay.
Our room was clean warm and comfortable. There was plenty of space for 2 adults and 2 teenage boys and all the ski gear. (The room has a large flatscreen TV with all the usual connections). Our room on the 1st floor was located to the side of the hotel so it was quiet (there was a little traffic noise when the ploughs are clearing the road in the morning).
Breakfast is simple - juice, cereal, croissant, bread and jam plus plenty of coffee / hot chocolate. This suits those of us who want to get fueled up and out on the slopes early.
The location is superb -its about 500m from the Bergers lift station. Gentianes guests receive a discount on equipment rental at Nevada Sports. (They store skis & boots overnight so there is no need to walk around the resort in skiboots).
After skiing the bar area is comfortable with a real fire (and a pool table in an alcove).
The hotel is less than 5 mins walk from restaurants / town centre.
If you are visiting Alpe d'Huez to ski then this is an ideal place to stay.
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Date of stay: February 2013Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 adults - 3 teens (age 12, 14, 16) Stayed in a single family room
Hotel location is superb. Very close to the lifts (250m), 5 mins walk in either direction to shops and restaurants.
Room was really nice, clean, warm and well furnished. One double bed, 2 singles and a pull out bed. Separate shower and toilet. Large LCD TV. (Our room was brand new as part of a recent extension, I cannot comment on the other rooms).
See picture titled Chambre Est on the hotel website.
Breakfast was basic:- Juice, Croissant, Cereal, bread/butter/jam, coffee/tea/chocolate
Breakfast served from 8am to 9.15am
Tables are reserved by room number
1 glass of juice and 1 croissant per person pre provided at each table
Tea/Coffee/Chocolate, Cereal, bread, jam was self service. Sometimes additional orange juice was available.
Some days bowls were provided for cereal, other days additional coffee cups were provided for this.
Paper napkins rather than side plates provided for bread/jam
Overall breakfast was sufficient but limited.
Wifi available in the hotel €2/day or €7/week
Hotel provided a laundry service mid week (essential when 5 skiers are sharing a single room). Reasonably priced.
The sports center across the road is covered by a Visalp ski pass - swimming pool, table tennis, etc. (If planning to use the swimming pool note that many French pools dont allow swimming shorts - only speedos). Also rock climbing and tightrope walking for a small charge.
On checkin the hotel provided a 20% discount voucher for one of the ski hire shops in the nearby center (Nevada ski). More importantly, the owner called us in our room to let us know that Nevada ski was open till 7.30 so if we were quick we could organise equipment that night and not lose time from our first day of skiing.
Nevada ski were friendly and helpful. More importantly this shop stores rented skis/boots each night so you dont have to carry them up and down to the hotel.
Hotel bar was open after skiing and in the early evening. It was always closed when we returned from dinner (before 10pm).
I paid a 30% deposit by credit card in advance.
On arrival at the hotel the credit card machine was "out of order".
Be prepared to be asked to pay the balance in cash the night before departure.
My ratings are based on the fact that this is a 2 star hotel. Although a 2 star - the price point is not in the budget category.
A good place to stay for a ski-ing holiday where you are away from the hotel all day and are happy to eat out in the evening.
I would be happy to stay here again for a skiing holiday - either with family or a group of friends.
Taxi from Grenoble Airport to Alpe d'Huez €198 for a party of 5
Our taxi took about 90 mins on a Tuesday evening. Other guests who arrived on Friday evening took 4hrs
Bus from Alpe d'Huez back to Grenoble €5 per adult (less for children). 90mins.
Travel from Grenoble to Grenoble airport a further €12 per person by bus (30mins) or €80 by taxi.
[Feb 2010 prices]
Hotel location is superb. Very close to the lifts (250m), 5 mins walk in either direction to shops and restaurants.
Room was really nice, clean, warm and well furnished. One double bed, 2 singles and a pull out bed. Separate shower and toilet. Large LCD TV. (Our room was brand new as part of a recent extension, I cannot comment on the other rooms).
See picture titled Chambre Est on the hotel website.
Breakfast was basic:- Juice, Croissant, Cereal, bread/butter/jam, coffee/tea/chocolate
Breakfast served from 8am to 9.15am
Tables are reserved by room number
1 glass of juice and 1 croissant per person pre provided at each table
Tea/Coffee/Chocolate, Cereal, bread, jam was self service. Sometimes additional orange juice was available.
Some days bowls were provided for cereal, other days additional coffee cups were provided for this.
Paper napkins rather than side plates provided for bread/jam
Overall breakfast was sufficient but limited.
Wifi available in the hotel €2/day or €7/week
Hotel provided a laundry service mid week (essential when 5 skiers are sharing a single room). Reasonably priced.
The sports center across the road is covered by a Visalp ski pass - swimming pool, table tennis, etc. (If planning to use the swimming pool note that many French pools dont allow swimming shorts - only speedos). Also rock climbing and tightrope walking for a small charge.
On checkin the hotel provided a 20% discount voucher for one of the ski hire shops in the nearby center (Nevada ski). More importantly, the owner called us in our room to let us know that Nevada ski was open till 7.30 so if we were quick we could organise equipment that night and not lose time from our first day of skiing.
Nevada ski were friendly and helpful. More importantly this shop stores rented skis/boots each night so you dont have to carry them up and down to the hotel.
Hotel bar was open after skiing and in the early evening. It was always closed when we returned from dinner (before 10pm).
I paid a 30% deposit by credit card in advance.
On arrival at the hotel the credit card machine was "out of order".
Be prepared to be asked to pay the balance in cash the night before departure.
My ratings are based on the fact that this is a 2 star hotel. Although a 2 star - the price point is not in the budget category.
A good place to stay for a ski-ing holiday where you are away from the hotel all day and are happy to eat out in the evening.
I would be happy to stay here again for a skiing holiday - either with family or a group of friends.
Taxi from Grenoble Airport to Alpe d'Huez €198 for a party of 5
Our taxi took about 90 mins on a Tuesday evening. Other guests who arrived on Friday evening took 4hrs
Bus from Alpe d'Huez back to Grenoble €5 per adult (less for children). 90mins.
Travel from Grenoble to Grenoble airport a further €12 per person by bus (30mins) or €80 by taxi.
[Feb 2010 prices]
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Date of stay: February 2010Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in Les Gentianes in early 2008. It is a family run hotel which offers bed and breakfast accommodation in Alpe d'Huez. It is located on a main road that passes between the areas of Les Bergers and Les Jeux, and overlooks three relatively adjacent roundabouts. One of it's selling points is that the sister of the of the French manager was a world and French ski champion in the 70s.
Les Gentianes is one of the cheaper hotels in the resort. The rooms are basic but clean and comfortable. Our room contained little more than a bed, a small bathroom (shower, WC), a dressing table and a small television. At least some of the rooms have balconies which overlook the roundabouts and beyond them, a football field, the Palais des Sports and, of course, the mountains.
The hotel was a disappointing experience in most respects, which was a particular shame as it has the potential to be cosy. Most of our criticisms are attributable to the extreme frugality in the way that the place is managed. Any explanation must begin with the breakfast, which was the worst of any hotel that I have ever experienced. The orange juice, at a rate of one serving per guest, was served from glasses which were no bigger than shot glasses, and the cereal from small mugs. In other words, absolutely tiny portions, all of which can only have been designed to minimise the cost of providing the breakfast. Aside from sliced bread, the only other food was one croissant per guest. As a result of the inadequacy of the breakfasts, some guests cancelled their breakfast and made the 10 minute walk to the local boulangerie on the other side of town, but most brought supplemental food from their bedrooms. Incredibly, the hotel showed no sign whatsoever of taking these enormous hints and providing adequate breakfasts. One morning, when I had brought my own Orange juice to breakfast, I had to ask for a normal glass to avoid the preposterous scenario of having to refill my glass every couple of mouthfuls. No hint of regret whatsoever...
The manager of the hotel was unhelpful and unfriendly. On one occasion when the weather was poor, we were cold in our bedroom. As the heater wasn't working, we asked her to turn it on. She declined on the basis that the temperature of the hotel was in her opinion satisfactory. At first we thought she was joking... In the same way, the bathrooms had no soap but one tiny sachet of cheap shower gel per person, completely inadequate at the best of times, but all the more useless for people on outdoor activity holidays. The towels were no bigger than tea towels and were extremely frayed and worn.
Although there is now a smoking ban in France, the hotel staff smoked such that the parts of the hotel to which we had access, including our bedroom, smelled of smoke. This must have been partly attributable to the thin wooden walls, through which we were able to hear most of what was going on in the adjacent rooms (and vice versa presumably).
Another problem was the bar, which was primarily intended for residents and at first glance seemed quite agreeable. On the only occasion that I used the bar, I ordered a glass of wine. Far from the fine wine that one expects in France, especially in a region such as Savoie, I was served undrinkable wine from a plastic bottle. It was the sort of cheap and correspondingly undrinkable stuff that you see in most budget French supermarkets. It was so bad that I barely had a sip.
Taken in isolation, none of the problems mentioned above and the many others we encountered was particularly serious, but taken collectively, they make Les Gentianes an extremely disappointing hotel. I would not recommend it to anyone. The only real advantages of the place were that being slightly outside the main tourist areas, it was quiet at night whilst being fairly convenient for ski area at Les Bergers. Also, the hotel offers a 20% discount on ski hire with an excellent local business called Nevada, and the bedrooms all have 9 channel satellite TV including BBC World.
Finally, the hotel manager told us and other guests that the credit card machine did not work and that payment would have to be in cash or by cheque. Foreign guests, of course, seldom have the facility to pay by cheque, which effectively meant cash payment only. We insisted on trying the credit card machine and, sure enough, it worked without any difficulty whatsoever.
I could go on, but I hope by now you have the point!
Les Gentianes is one of the cheaper hotels in the resort. The rooms are basic but clean and comfortable. Our room contained little more than a bed, a small bathroom (shower, WC), a dressing table and a small television. At least some of the rooms have balconies which overlook the roundabouts and beyond them, a football field, the Palais des Sports and, of course, the mountains.
The hotel was a disappointing experience in most respects, which was a particular shame as it has the potential to be cosy. Most of our criticisms are attributable to the extreme frugality in the way that the place is managed. Any explanation must begin with the breakfast, which was the worst of any hotel that I have ever experienced. The orange juice, at a rate of one serving per guest, was served from glasses which were no bigger than shot glasses, and the cereal from small mugs. In other words, absolutely tiny portions, all of which can only have been designed to minimise the cost of providing the breakfast. Aside from sliced bread, the only other food was one croissant per guest. As a result of the inadequacy of the breakfasts, some guests cancelled their breakfast and made the 10 minute walk to the local boulangerie on the other side of town, but most brought supplemental food from their bedrooms. Incredibly, the hotel showed no sign whatsoever of taking these enormous hints and providing adequate breakfasts. One morning, when I had brought my own Orange juice to breakfast, I had to ask for a normal glass to avoid the preposterous scenario of having to refill my glass every couple of mouthfuls. No hint of regret whatsoever...
The manager of the hotel was unhelpful and unfriendly. On one occasion when the weather was poor, we were cold in our bedroom. As the heater wasn't working, we asked her to turn it on. She declined on the basis that the temperature of the hotel was in her opinion satisfactory. At first we thought she was joking... In the same way, the bathrooms had no soap but one tiny sachet of cheap shower gel per person, completely inadequate at the best of times, but all the more useless for people on outdoor activity holidays. The towels were no bigger than tea towels and were extremely frayed and worn.
Although there is now a smoking ban in France, the hotel staff smoked such that the parts of the hotel to which we had access, including our bedroom, smelled of smoke. This must have been partly attributable to the thin wooden walls, through which we were able to hear most of what was going on in the adjacent rooms (and vice versa presumably).
Another problem was the bar, which was primarily intended for residents and at first glance seemed quite agreeable. On the only occasion that I used the bar, I ordered a glass of wine. Far from the fine wine that one expects in France, especially in a region such as Savoie, I was served undrinkable wine from a plastic bottle. It was the sort of cheap and correspondingly undrinkable stuff that you see in most budget French supermarkets. It was so bad that I barely had a sip.
Taken in isolation, none of the problems mentioned above and the many others we encountered was particularly serious, but taken collectively, they make Les Gentianes an extremely disappointing hotel. I would not recommend it to anyone. The only real advantages of the place were that being slightly outside the main tourist areas, it was quiet at night whilst being fairly convenient for ski area at Les Bergers. Also, the hotel offers a 20% discount on ski hire with an excellent local business called Nevada, and the bedrooms all have 9 channel satellite TV including BBC World.
Finally, the hotel manager told us and other guests that the credit card machine did not work and that payment would have to be in cash or by cheque. Foreign guests, of course, seldom have the facility to pay by cheque, which effectively meant cash payment only. We insisted on trying the credit card machine and, sure enough, it worked without any difficulty whatsoever.
I could go on, but I hope by now you have the point!
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Date of stay: March 2008Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
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Location
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Check-in / front desk
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is a very nice place to stay. It is really close to the Berger lift station, about 100m walk from the hotel to the Rif Nel lift, and another 100m across the snow to the Marmottes lift. We have stayed here before and returned this year because we liked it. Guylaine the owner has always been very welcoming and helpful. This year in spite of just having had surgery she went out of her way to help us arrange ski hire (Nevada sports).
Continental breakfast is included - juice, crosissant, some cereal, bread, jam and plenty of coffee or hot chocolate.
Rooms are cosy and very warm - and the showers always had hot water.
It is a nice quiet family run hotel which we liked. The bar is open till about 7pm which is ideal for a relaxed drink after a day skiing.
Guylaine gave us good restaurant recommendations (L'Edelweiss and Pommes de Pin) and there are lots of other restaurants within 5mins walk from the hotel.
On our last morning Guylaine arranged an early breakfast so that we could eat before getting our bus (and offered to make sandwich for the trip).
I look forward to visiting this hotel again.
Continental breakfast is included - juice, crosissant, some cereal, bread, jam and plenty of coffee or hot chocolate.
Rooms are cosy and very warm - and the showers always had hot water.
It is a nice quiet family run hotel which we liked. The bar is open till about 7pm which is ideal for a relaxed drink after a day skiing.
Guylaine gave us good restaurant recommendations (L'Edelweiss and Pommes de Pin) and there are lots of other restaurants within 5mins walk from the hotel.
On our last morning Guylaine arranged an early breakfast so that we could eat before getting our bus (and offered to make sandwich for the trip).
I look forward to visiting this hotel again.
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Choose south facing on 1st floor for a balcony
East facing on 1st floor is a really nice family...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
we were finding hotels on a cold and snowy night. burdened with our luggage, the task was no less an easy one. the price of the hotel was affordable compared to others and we were alright. coming from an urban country, the room was rather different and it offered us an interesting experience with its country style design. the hotel is very accessible, clean and comfortable. :)
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Date of stay: January 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"Choose south facing on 1st floor for a balcony East facing on 1st floor is a really nice family room."Read full review
LOCATION
FranceAuvergne-Rhône-AlpesIsereL'Alpe d'Huez
NUMBER OF ROOMS
14
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Claim Your ListingHÔTEL LES GENTIANES | Hotel Reviews (L'Alpe d'Huez, France) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Hôtel Les Gentianes
Which popular attractions are close to Hôtel Les Gentianes?
Nearby attractions include Alpe d'Huez (0.3 km), Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Neiges (0.3 km), and Escape Games United, Alpe Huez (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Hôtel Les Gentianes?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include a lounge, free parking, and kids activities.
What food & drink options are available at Hôtel Les Gentianes?
Guests can enjoy a lounge during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Hôtel Les Gentianes?
Conveniently located restaurants include L'empreinte, Au Montagnard, and La Petite Taverne.
Is Hôtel Les Gentianes located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.8 km away from the centre of L'Alpe d'Huez.