If youre planning to take the kids with you the next time you take a ski vacation, it pays to make sure that you choose accommodation that caters for children. As any parent knows, a bored child is a recipe for disaster if youre wanting to relax and enjoy yourself. Here are three hotels that have grasped this concept and make sure that the children have plenty to occupy and amuse them.
Le Portetta, Courchevel 1650
Le Portetta is a lovely hotel that prides itself on being family friendly and they have put their know-how into the room designs. Le Portetta stands in a fabulous location at the heart of Courchevel 1650 and adjacent to the resorts nursery ski slopes, which is handy, if your children are only just being introduced to the joys of skiing. No faffing about with lifts and straight back to your room should they get overwhelmed by the whole experience.
The Piste View Family Rooms are ideal if you are traveling with the kids. These rooms comprise of an oversized main bedroom with sitting area and TV, an en-suite bathroom and a separate kids bedroom complete with bunk beds and en suite shower. The sitting area is ideal for family time, a range of board games and DVDs are available to help you all relax after a great day on the slopes. The Valley View Family Rooms offer the same design as the piste view family room the only difference is the view and they tend to be a little quieter.
A great family activity is tobogganing and here theres a very popular toboggan pathway running all the way down to the 1550 resort. This is a lot of fun and doesnt require that much skill. Its ideal for non-skiers and children that arent so confident on skis. La Portetta also has kids games room where the children will be entertained with a large snooker table, Wii game consoles, a flat screen TV, board games and much more. This area allows kids to relax and switch off in their own way and perhaps make friends with all the other children.
Ski schools, creche facilities and baby sitting services are all on offer and can be arranged by the concierge at the hotel.
K2, Courchevel 1850
The kids space in the K2 takes some beating. If they love video games and simulators, theyll be in their element here. The simulators have triple screens for the more competitive kids to pit their wits against other children. Believe it or not theres a recording studio and a dance floor. A mini K2 mountain has been constructed with a mini bobsled to return them to the ground. A magical cave to explore is an exciting feature where their imagination can run riot. Animated films, performances and interactive games are all on offer to keep them amused.
A professional facilitator is resident to supervise, and organise workshops. The kids could easily get addicted to this space and if any of them are non-skiers its an ideal place to spend the day and team up and become friends with all the other kids. Exclusive to Hotel K2, during the winter season a magic show is performed by the resident magician Johann Sebastian Bajolet.Who can resist a little magic? Ideal for all ages.
The K2 boasts a cinema too, so all the family can go together and enjoy a night at the movies. Some of the suites also have their own private cinema. The suites are luxurious and spacious and ideal for families. Situated close to the lifts and the pistes, Hotel K2 is worth considering. All in all, the ideal family retreat.
As to be expected, ski-school, creche facilities and baby sitting services can be arranged by the hotel concierge.
Alpaga, Megeve
Megeve is a magical resort, especially around christmas time. A christmas here will live in the memory of the children for ever. Theres a wonderful ambience and the village square is the quintessential christmas scene, with a wonderful tree and a riot of colour provided by xmas lights strung across the streets.
The Alpaga hotel has really grasped the idea of entertaining the children and do it in style. Children from 3-12 have their own play area where theres lots to occupy and amuse them.
The Kids Club is open 7 days a week and has a supervisor on hand to organise and direct the children. Theres even an online store where you can buy lovely presents and reminders of your time here. There are plenty of activities, including films and videos that will absorb the children for hours on end.
The family rooms are spacious and ideal for families. Unlike the hotels mentioned above, the Alpaga is neither on the piste nor is it close to the lifts but theres is a regular shuttle service to either. Ski-schools can be arranged for beginners and novices and creche and baby sitting services can be arranged by the hotel concierge. Be assured, all three of these hotels do their best to take the stress out of trying to amuse and occupy children while you try get the best out of your vacation.
