Altapura Hôtel & Spa Val Thorens 

I’ve just booked to return here for the second time with my kids next February 26. I hate trip advisor - I own a bar / restaurant and appreciate customers mainly use it to complain but rarely to compliment! I now ignore my own trip advisor account for this very reason, and we have never been busier (the nice happy customers keep coming back!) I’ve worked in 5 star (SLHW) hotels, and ran a Michelin starred restaurant so feel my opinion on service may count for something. After checking this hotel’s recent reviews (some of the negative short stories surprisingly from the same month I was last there in Feb 25) I felt compelled to leave them a review as I couldn’t disagree more with some of the comments. Hotel is in a fabulous location, bar is cool af, we were more than happy with our Mountain View (I’m not sure the hotel staff are allowed to remove other buildings to provide an uninterrupted Mountain View) Spa was great - kids loved the complimentary hot chocolate pool side. Great gym to keep the fitness up, shuttle service into town was perfect for us - at no point did I fear my or my children’s safety. Room provides a safe for valuables - so if you misplace a wallet not sure this can be blamed or aimed at hotel staff?! Also there is such a thing as ‘Google’ and confirmation emails to establish exact meeting points for 3rd party services - of which there are multiple locations to meet in all ski resorts. Room was cleaned efficiently every day, I’ve never been to a hotel of any level where you can request a specific cleaning time? Breakfast service was great - after 1 day the waiter remembered how I took my coffee and went out of his way to look after us from then on without question. Kids menu perhaps a little pricey but it’s a 5 star hotel high up a mountain so if you expect cheap prices you’re probably in the wrong hotel. In my experience- 25 years of hospitality- if treat service staff as slaves you probably won’t be served as you think you should. Be nice, you’re on holiday! Me and my kids can’t wait to return!