Crap apartment

Health and Safety (and Security):

We were not given any H %26amp; S instructions on arrival, e.g. what to do in event of fire etc.

Smoke alarm – not functional

Fire extinguisher found in a cupboard! We placed it in the kitchen area. Chalet hosts returned it to the cupboard

No fire blanket in kitchen area

Door handles to balcony (possible escape route in event of a fire) constantly falling off when attempting to open the doors. Chalet hosts were made aware of the problem. It was suggested to them how they could repair the handles; but they were not repaired during our stay

No instructions on how to contact nearest Doctor/ Medical Centre

One front door key for eight people. We were told that the last person to leave the chalet should lock door and leave the key under the mat

Food Hygiene and cleanliness:

Dirty tea towels – same two used all week. A member of the other party bought a pack of new tea towels – but the old tea towels re-appeared!

Dirty scourer and scrubbing brush used to wash dishes etc. Again, a member of the other party bought a pack of new scourers

Chalet hosts did not wear aprons when preparing/ cooking food

Kitchen sink and kitchen floor un-clean

Same chopping board used to prep all food

Remains of stale bread found in shelf where bread is stored

Day 2 – hosts prepared chicken bake / Spanish omelette. Food was ‘prepped’ am. and left out of the refrigerator in a relatively warm kitchen all day. Have the hosts taken the ‘Basic Food Hygiene’ Course? If so, should it be displayed in the kitchen area?

Day 6/7 – pork joints left to defrost out of the fridge overnight (wrapped in the tea towels mentioned earlier)

Raw chicken, beef and a bunch of fresh parsley placed together in fridge – (day7/8)

General:

Regular disputes in the kitchen area between the chalet hosts whilst meals where being served; causing embarrassment to ourselves and the other party

Lack of crockery and cutlery

No champagne and canapés on arrival

No offer of tea in bed

No breakfast left (was advised bacon and eggs in fridge) on Chalet hosts day off. No cake or bread left out for afternoon tea on Chalet hosts day off.

No formal welcome meeting e.g. did not know when hosts day off was until we asked

No comfortable seating – one uncomfortable sofa that seats three easily, four at a squeeze and one armchair for eight people?

Food not of 4* quality. Presentation and service was amateurish. Example – Day 2 starter was a, not quite warmed up, Spanish Omelette – 2 for eight people – garnish consisted of 2 slices of cucumber. We were constantly asking for extra tea, bread etc. at breakfast. Juice not always in a jug.

No access to internet – we believe there was a problem with it’s hard drive – although we were not told directly

Hosts had to go through our bedroom to access area where fresh vegetables, wine etc. was stored (although we do accept this as a design fault in the property)

Damp/musty smell in our bedroom – seemed to be emanating from the wardrobe. This was very noticeable in the evenings.

The extractor fan was not always used when the hosts were cooking. As a result, the apartment, and our clothes, were permeated with ‘cooking smells’.

Conclusions:

We feel that the chalet and the service provided was not as advertised, and is definitely not four star. The hosts had a negative attitude – especially towards each other. We felt that they couldn’t wait to get out of the chalet and on to the slopes, or back home. The result of this attitude was sub-standard food and hygiene.

The security problem needs to be addressed urgently. One of the bedrooms in the chalet doesn’t even have a window – not to have some form of smoke detection / fire extinguisher easily at hand is, in our opinion, negligible on the part of the Company.

We have always stayed in catered chalets/ club hotels when taking skiing holidays, and this is the first time we have ever complained.

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Sounds disgusting - what company / agent did you book with and what was the name and location of the apartment please??

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would love to know what the property was and whom booked through one to avoid me thinks

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Just wondering which accommodation this was?? Was it chalet crystal by any chance. We had the misfortune to book in there earlier this year and the accommodation was atrocious. Helath and safety simply didn%26#39;t feature and the blue mould that decorated the walls was deplorable!!!

Needless to say we packed our bags and left asap and in this process the Crystal Reps were unhelpful and rude!!!

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Try booking with Snow Finders tel: 01858 466888 they will tell you all the pitfalls and provide honest advice on which chalets to stay in.

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hi. it would be helpful if you could give the name of the chalet.

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Sorry this apartment was in the Belvedere development, called %26#39;The Penthhouse%26#39;.

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The Company was called %26#39;Powderwhite%26#39;. We did complain and were offered £20 to pay for the teatowels! We refused this, we still get emails promoting their apartments but would never go with them as they seem to run the Chalets for their staffs benefit with very little supervision or interest in customer views.

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Hi,

Sounds awfull,sorry you%26#39;re holiday was so unpleasant,a company i can fully reccommend and have no worries in doing so is Ski Miquel,have used them many times St.Anton x2,Serre Chevaliere x2 and Whistler x1.

Fail in that any hotel,chalet or apartment reccommended on sites such as these are nearly 100% good to stay in otherwise people would not use them.

Best of luck next time,

Many Regards

jon.

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