A mountain holiday in summer at l’Écrin Blanc!

In August 2023, I was lucky enough to stay at this luxurious mountain hotel, and here’s my feedback.

A mountain holiday in summer

The idea of summer mountain holiday may seem far-fetched, but think again. The hotel offers sumptuous views of the mountains uncovered by their snowy mantle, providing a panorama of greenery coupled with light that embellishes the surroundings. As for the hotel itself, the services it offers will delight the whole family, with a big plus point for its aquatic center!

The hotel’s architecture is strongly reminiscent of typical mountain chalets, while sporting a white color that, in summer, stands out from its surroundings, but which once winter sets in must certainly blend into the decor, not without elegance. The interior is well thought-out, with plenty of space for children to play, not to mention the restaurant terrace that sits under the sun (my kids loved the wood-fired pizza truck there!).

This is a family-friendly mountain hotel, thanks in particular to the availability of its staff, who were a great help to my sick son during our stay! Family films are shown every evening around 9:00 p.m., and the kids’ club offers a varied program of activities, with an on-site activity leader. During my stay, it wasn’t very busy, but that can be explained by seasonal variations.

A gastronomic rendez-vous

The restaurant seems to be a victim of its own success, since it was fully booked for the first two evenings. Although the menu is not regularly renewed, the food on offer was of a high standard. Make sure you book well in advance if you’re coming to the Écrin Blanc in summer, as unfortunately the area around the hotel offers few if any alternatives, unless you’re travelling by car.

Regrettably, room service was available, but no room delivery was offered, so you had to collect your order yourself. The staff did surprise us, however, as when they learned that my son was ill, our order was taken directly to our room.

Room and facilities

As far as our room was concerned, we were lucky enough to stay in a Classic Suite with a separate bedroom and a double sofa bed for the children in the lounge area. A very comfortable room with a superb view. However, beware of winter and all your bulky clothes, especially ski gear, as this type of room didn’t have much storage space in my opinion.

However, the hotel itself is an excellent starting point for hiking in summer, so don’t hesitate to ask the staff for more information, as they’re always happy to provide a warm reply!

Huge swimming pools, slides, diving boards, a wave pool for surfing lessons, group sports classes, a spa, a cafeteria… In summer and winter alike, this aquatic center is packed with activities for the whole family, as well as facilities for the little ones, such as the baby pool, which is a real eye-catcher!

Adjacent to the hotel, a special access has been created, linking the hotel directly to the aquatic center, which is simply accessible in a bathrobe. And, best of all, it’s completely free for hotel guests!

Conclusion

A stay between mother and son, we were all delighted, and despite a few minor adjustments, notably to room service and a somewhat monotonous kids’ club, everything else made for a wonderful vacation, especially thanks to the incredible aquatic center. For an equally kid-friendly holiday, but this time in the maquis and under the sun, read my review of the Hôtel Spa Version Maquis Citadelle!