My wife and I came here for a week long ski trip at the end of March. In all honesty we we were looking for a slightly cheaper option to our normal holidays as we were saving for other things this year.

We were booked in to La Castillan as part of a Crystal Ski package, and had expected to get something fairly perfunctory for the cost of the holiday as a whole. This couldn't be further from the truth.

The Castillan is a lovely, family-run hotel with incredibly friendly staff that are on hand whenever needed and are more than happy to accommodate you any way they can.

We stayed half-board - The breakfasts were great and had everything you needed;
4-5 types of fruit juice, regular coffee and a coffee machine for other types, fresh breads cakes and pastries every day, hot and cold meats, many cereals, yogurts, cheese, pancakes etc

Dinner was always a single option for half board guests. However, it was always 4 courses, very high quality with starter, main, cheese plate and desert. The Chef is incredible, and the meals were always fantastic. Although there is only one choice, the hotel will make great effort to accommodate any guests who don't like something on offer.

For example one night they offered fondue in place of the usual 4 course meal, but unfortunately I cannot eat fondue due to health issues. They did not even hesitate to offer me a full alternative meal and made me feel it was no effort at all.

The hotel is not technically ski in-ski out. But having walked around the entire resort (including all the different 'quarters') many times, I do not believe any of the hotels her offer ski in-ski out. However Le Castillan does offer a VERY short walk to an access slope that takes you down (you can ski it) to a chair lift - and that chair takes you to the top of Signal, from where it is either a super easy and gentle green or a challenging red (depending on your preference) down to the heart of the resort and all the main lifts.

Honestly, I can't understand why this hotel is only 3 star. The accommodation, staff and services should push it well beyond that in my opinion. I will not hesitate to come back.

Visited here with a group of friends (16 of us) and right from the start it was a dream co-ordinating with the hotel - prompt responses to e-mails and always willing to work with us to get a package that suited everyone.

Our arrival was at 2am in the morning but we were still greeted with a warm and welcoming smile which was a lovely feeling.

Rooms are functional - no mini-bars or sofas, but the beds are comfortably firm (exactly what you need after a day skiing), the bathroom is clean with a reasonably powered shower and the mountain view rooms do enjoy stunning scenery.

Breakfast offers a reasonable selection of cereals, pastries, and selected hot items. Dinners are set course - very tasty and team are always happy to cater for dietary issues. Bar is a comfy place to relax and balcony offers stunning views.

All the staff are extremely friendly and keen to assist wherever they can - all in all a fantastic base for exploring Alpe d’Huez.

The only reason I docked a star is you do have a flight of stairs to get to the reception, which is disheartening when you arrive in the early hours and have several bags with you. Also the balcony outside our room felt structurally unsound so having ventured out once, we never chanced it again for fear of it collapsing.

Hotel is extremely well situated in the old village with a ski track down to the chair that serves the signal station above the main village. This makes it virtually ski in and out.
The hotel staff who have run the hotel for a number of generations were both extremely friendly and helpful making my family ski week really special.
The restaurant quality is superb, 4 courses each night with an absolutely wonderful cheese trolley !
Rooms were very clean , tidy and roomy with nice size shower and bath facility en-suite. we were located on the 4th floor so lift was essential after a full day on the mountain. Boot room a real bonus with heated lockers and a very conveience ski equipment store with technician located adjacent and connected to the Hotel..a bonus!
A really nice south facing sun terrace and very comfortable bar lounge for relaxing and apres.