subject: Ski Accommodation A Number Of Things To Consider Before Making A Selection [print this page] Before going on a ski holiday, you should give the type of ski accommodation you will be staying in more than just a passing thought. Where you stay during your vacation will have a huge effect on how much you enjoy yourself in the end.
Before even making a reservation, you should carefully consider the options the different ski resorts provide. Study the facilities at the various resorts and make sure that the resort you are going to has other entertainment options apart from skiing. During any ski vacation there will be more than one day when the weather is simply not conducive to skiing and during those days you would appreciate something to keep you occupied apart from playing blackjack on your laptop.
Generally speaking you have two kinds of ski resorts. The one type is near a town or city and there will be many interesting shops to browse during non-skiing days and many restaurants and pubs where you can while away empty hours or make new friends. Often the surrounding area also offers a lot of interesting sightseeing possibilities.
Then you get the type of resort that sometimes offers stunning scenery but is far away from any form of civilization. There will be a few hotels and other types of accommodation and not much else. Unless you go there to ski day and night, this type of place can get boring very quickly. It's great to go to a place like this for two or three days, but an extended stay might soon have you climbing up the walls out of boredom.
The well-developed resorts usually have a plethora of accommodation options. For the well-to-do there are always the 5-star and boutique hotels. This type of establishment often provides facilities like hot tubs, heated swimming pools, gyms, saunas, business centers and a mini shopping mall. You will find a number of international restaurants on the premises as well. In short: you only need to leave the hotel to ski.
Mid-range hotels absorb the bulk of skiers to these resorts. They mostly provide perfectly adequate accommodation and all the facilities that you can reasonably expect during your holiday. As a minimum you should make sure you get a private bathroom, cable TV and coffee making facilities. A very nice feature is a balcony. A hotel room can become very claustrophobic during an extended stay. The hotel should also not be located too far from where you plan to ski.
Self-catering options are available in and around most ski resorts. There is no better solution for the family man. Cost wise it's certainly the best option for a family. You will not only save money on the accommodation itself, but since these chalets will always have a kitchen, you can save a lot of money by preparing all or most of your meals at home.
An all-time favorite when it comes to ski accommodation is of course the guest house. This is the perfect option for people who like to make new friends. Many new friendships have indeed blossomed around the breakfast table of a guest house. They normally provide great value for money and the better ones can be compared to the best of hotels.
