Hôtel les Barmes de l'Ours

Rather poor experience at La Rotisserie at this hotel. We had high expectations when we arrived due to the beautiful interior and good service. While the starters were promising, we were highly disappointed by the main courses (roast chicken, rib-eye steak, and pot au feu). The rib-eye steak was a particular stand out, which was extremely tough and dry. A steak bought from the Spar and cooked in our accommodation would have been far superior. The linguine vongole, the special of the day, was also bland and lacking. Admittedly, we were not in a restaurant on the coast of Amalfi, but a restaurant in such a fine establishment should be able to produce a decent attempt at a vongole. The signature roast chicken was also on the dry side (similar to what a previous reviewer experienced). An attempt was made to change the rib-eye steak to another item, but fearing further disappointment, this was declined. The steak was not comped on the bill, something that may have redeemed the dinner. Really wanted to like this restaurant but unfortunately I am unable to recommend this place to anyone, at least for this season. They have a really extensive wine list and the sommelier is excellent. Perhaps go for a glass of wine and head to L’Etincelle for dinner instead.

Le Coin Savoyard: A documentary on Limitation and Cheese There’s a certain honesty to a restaurant that doesn’t pretend to be what it isn’t. Le Coin Savoyard, tucked within the Hotel Les Barmes de l’Ours in Val d’Isère, practices this virtue with an almost defiant simplicity. They’re famous for classic Savoie fare, which is to say, fondue. Which is to say: you may have anything you like, as long as it’s beef or cheese. This is not a complaint. There’s liberation in constraints, as any writer knows. The tyranny of infinite choice gives way here to a focused clarity of purpose. Mountains have shaped this cuisine just as surely as they’ve shaped the valley itself, sustenance built on what survives at altitude, what warms the body, what binds a table together over heat and shared implements. We opted for beef. Kidding aside, and one must occasionally put the irony down. the meal was scrumptious. The meat arrived with Sonderup’s fries, those golden batons of potato that achieve what all good food should: they make you forget, momentarily, that you’re performing the biological necessity of eating and remind you instead that pleasure exists. And the cup never runs dry. These pot was bottomless. Le Coin Savoyard meal ended and were heard the strings of a hearty New Orleans Jazz band playing in the Hotel’s lobby bar. We sat down and had a hell of an evening. They were exceptional. We started looking around the hotel — we stay at the Experimental hotel this time — and thought: wow, we must stay here next time. Clearly they understand something essential: that tradition isn’t the enemy of satisfaction. That beef or cheese, or Jazz properly executed, is not limitation but abundance. That sometimes what you need after a day skiing on the mountain is the comfort of bliss to the tune of Minnie the Moocher!

We returned to La Rôtisserie, located in Hôtel les Barmes de l’Ours, where we have stayed several times in the past, based on our previous great experiences. Unfortunately, this visit was a major disappointment. The pumpkin soup was bland, the leek starter mediocre, the fries limp, and the rotisserie chicken extremely dry, to the point that we left it uneaten. When we mentioned this to the manager, we were told this is how rotisserie chicken is supposed to be and were still charged the full bill. Very disappointing. We won’t be coming back.

This is a hotel that truly deserves a five star rating. It is perfectly situated next to the mountain, which made it easy accessing skiing every day. The staff were super friendly and very helpful. In the morning, your skis were placed outside and someone grabbed your boots for you. The concierge was extremely helpful and booked a number of our restaurant reservations. The hotel is well decorated and the rooms well appointed. Could not ask for more.

We had an absolutely brilliant experience. A voucher present each from the family brought for a mother and daughter in law to this hotel for a spa massage, use of the pool, saunas, steam room and jacuzzi for 2hours, to be followed by the most excellent lunch and wine. The best massage we have both had was a delight. The spa facilities are super. The lunch was heaven, so enjoyed, made extra special by the superb service. Thank you Magale, you made our day by your presence, offering patience and knowledge, it was a very special meal. Thank you chef, you know your job in a level above others. I would highly recommend families treat the... not so keen skiers, to a similar bday or just because voucher, to have a memory to treasure. Thank you all, I think you can tell how much we loved our time with you, 5*

Our 60 square meter suite ($1436.11 per day) was personalized for us by the outstanding housekeeping staff. We were able to unpack everything and put everything away. We liked the décor and the furniture was comfortable. Every member of the staff was well-trained and personable; we really had 5-star service. We liked sitting by the fire in the lounge before dinner, although we only once talked to people there. We also liked the shuttle service the hotel provided us that took us to restauants each night. Now for the things we didn’t like: The hotel is not a ski in/ski out property. It was not even “nearly so” at that time of year. The heating was not controlled adequately in the suite—it was too hot even with all of the radiators completely off. To sleep, we had to keep the door to the balcony open and monitor it throughout the night. When it got down to 67° F, we closed the door. Within a couple of hours, it was back to 74° F. We asked the technician to work on it. The light switches turn off the electrical outlets as well, as the lights. At night, our devices did not charge and Alexa did not work. We asked the technician to work on it. The TV stayed on even when the light switches were turned off. So we had the technician plug Alexa into the same wall outlet as the TV. The breakfast buffet was complete but without “made to order eggs”—they would have been an extra charge. However, fried eggs and porridge were not an extra charge. That level of complication was just plain annoying. The hammam in the spa was good. But the spa presented us with annoyances. We needed “special permission” to use the changing room in the spa when we went to use the hammam and the Jacuzzi. (We were told by spa reception that it was only for people who were NOT staying in the hotel and we could not use it.) The next annoyance was the size of the Jacuzzi. It was so small it was hardly big enough for us (and we are small people). Finally, the configuration of our bed was such that there were no bedside tables—only a shelf behind and above the bed. We like to have our clocks visible when we are in bed so we like tables at the bedside. We asked for tables that would work and finally solved the problem with stools—like the ones that were brought for us to use in the shower when we wanted to sit to soap up. We don’t like separate hot and cold water faucets at the sinks. In our shower, there was no bar to hold onto. Okay, with that you have now heard all of our complaints.

Absolutely amazing hotel. Wonderful rooms. The service is incredible both in the hotel and the ski shop. I was so impressed. The choice and food in the three restaurants is exquisite. The bar and facilities are superb. All staff are friendly.

A wonderful Relais and Chateau property in Val d'Isere, nearly ski-in/ski-out. Nicely appointed and comfortable rooms, clean and well maintained. Loved the Sisley toiletries. Super helpful front desk and concierge (shout out to Manon and Antoine). Excellent breakfast buffet in the mornings and dinner at the Michelin starred La Table de l'Ours is not to be missed. Very good gym, fabulous indoor pool, hammam, sauna and jacuzzi. Sisley spa is excellent and Solene the spa manager is great. Nightly entertainment in the bar area, great playroom for the young kids and teenagers (as well as the young at heart; the pool table and the foosball were lots of fun). The ski pro shop had excellent service and very good ski rental equipment. The hotel shuttle takes you and picks you up anywhere you want to go in town. Our family had a wonderful time at this hotel!

(Review of dinner service at the * restaurant at this hotel, La Table de l'Ours) The chef's tasting menu here at La Table de l'Ours is a Michelin-endorsed spectacle. Each course is better than the next and we all felt that the arctic char was a special achievement: a large portion that still "belonged" in a fine dining lineup. Everything from the seats to the plates was commendable. Only complaint was that dinner was painfully long. Nearly 4 hours passed between walking in and walking out of the restaurant. Really had us wishing they offered 5:30 PM reservations in Europe.