Luxury Chalets In The Alps - What You Should Be Looking For

Trying to find the perfect holiday is a bit like trying to find the perfect house. On the website it looks fantastic but when you get there the rooms are half the size and the description the estate agent gave turns out to have been generous to say the least. The only difference is you can leave the property cursing the estate agent for wasting half an hour of your time and go home and have a drink. If you pick the wrong holiday you're stuck for two weeks wishing you had done your research a bit more thoroughly. When everyone is telling you their holiday is out of this world, how do you know the diamonds from the fakes? Well, there are no hard and fast rules but research is key. Check reviews on trip advisor and take friend's recommendations. After a summer holiday that wasn't exactly what it said it was on the box I decided to really do my homework on my winter snow break and here is what I discovered.

Knowing what you want is key. So you want to go skiing but are you a novice or a pro? How important are factors such as closeness to the slopes, ski instructors, and lift waiting times? Are you a party animal who wants the very most out of your apres- ski experience with all night bars and restaurants? Or do you have kids and need to prioritise kids activities alongside accommodation such as catered ski chalets that will provide features such as home cinemas and private chefs so you can enjoy your off the slopes time at home?

If you think about these types of issues before you begin the hunt, you are far more likely to find what you are looking for. The internet is a fabulous resource for reviewing resorts and accommodation but beware of booking solely online without talking to anyone. It is worth paying slightly more for a personal service. Many advisors know the areas they specialise in personally and can offer insights and tips you would not get otherwise. Companies such as Scott Dunn and Oxford Ski for example have family teams that can help you with baby-sitters, ski schools and activities for children well before you arrive.

I settled on a break in Val d'Isere because it offers luxury chalets, fantastic skiing and excellent kids facilities. If it wasn't for speaking to a ski specialist I would never have found

out that Val d'Isere chalets are renowned for their proximity to the slopes and amazing chalet hosts. VIP ski and Luxury ski also have teams that can help tailor a holiday to your exact requirements.

So my top tips - know what you want, do your research, take recommendations from friends and speak to specialists to make sure you are getting the holiday you're really dreaming of.