Name: Cgh Résidences & Spas la Grange Aux Fées
Address: Lieu dit Les Fontaines, Les Avanchers-Valmo, 73260 Valmorel, France, Aigueblanche, Aigueblanche, Aigueblanche, Aigueblanche, 73260, France
Rating: 9

Location

Meribel Airport

Praz Ski Lift

Chenus Ski Lift

Verdons Ski Lift

Grangettes Ski Lift

Ariondaz Ski Lift

Belvedere Ski Lift

Chambery Airport

Alpe d'Huez Airport

Alps Stadium

Museum of Grenoble

Museum of Resistance and Deportation

Eglise Notre Dame

Place Notre Dame

Fort de la Bastille

Dauphinois Museum

Grenoble Theater

Jardin de Ville

Grenoble-Bastille Cable Car

Place Grenette

Place Paul Mistral

Cgh Résidences & Spas la Grange Aux Fées

Aigueblanche

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

11-beds

12-beds

13-beds

14-beds

15-beds

16-beds

17-beds

18-beds

19-beds

2-beds

20-beds

21-beds

22-beds

23-beds

24-beds

25-beds

26-beds

27-beds

28-beds

29-beds

3-beds

30-beds

31-beds

32-beds

33-beds

34-beds

35-beds

36-beds

37-beds

38-beds

39-beds

4-beds

40-beds

5-beds

6-beds

7-beds

8-beds

9-beds

king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

2-bedrooms

3-bedrooms

4-bedrooms

5-bedrooms

6-bedrooms

not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

CGH VALMOREL

We stayed in the CGH residence La Grange aux Fees in Valmorel from January 18 to 25, and have the following comments.

CHECK IN
We arrived about an hour before official check in time. We were told that the keys would be placed in a Welcome envelope and left in a pigeon hole to collect once the apartment had been cleaned and signed off. We waited in reception for about an hour and collected the envelope with the keys as advised by the reception staff. 

APARTMENT
When we went to the apartment we found that the fridge was broken and dirty with missing racks and bottle holder (see image), the bin had not been cleaned (see image) and one of the tea towels was mouldy. Just then, the manageress came to the apartment and expressed surprise that we had been allowed into the apartment. Her manner was unpleasant, as if we had done something wrong. She then appeared to have a heated discussion with the reception staff. She asked us to leave the apartment and wait in reception while cleaning was completed. She also agreed to get the technician to replace the broken fridge. After about 1/2 hour we were allowed back. We found that the Nespresso machine had not been emptied of dead capsules and water (see image), the drawers had bits of paper and dried breadcrumbs left in them (see image), the sofa bed had not been fully closed, and the bed presentation was well below standard (see image). We also discovered that there was no plug socket for one of the two bedside lights (see image). The technician called Jean came later and removed the broken fridge, but apologised that the replacement was from the staff room and had a broken light and bottle tray held together with gaffer tape (see image). Replacement of the fridge took another hour during our first evening so we could not cook a meal until about 2000 despite having had a long car journey from the UK. He said he would return the next day with a bulb for the fridge and an extension cable for the bedside light. He did do this, although the extension lead only made it possible to have one or other of the bedside lights on simultaneously. We have great praise for him, as he was friendly, apologetic and just doing his job. 

ACCESS AND PARKING 
Access to the residence is through a public car park, with an automatic ticket barrier. Although we had paid for a garage space in the residence, we were not given a pass for the car park barriers at check in. Consequently we were unable to get our car out one day, and had to wait until reception opened at 4pm to get a pass, which disrupted our plans. This could be very dangerous if someone needed to leave the resort in an emergency. Also, there is no internal access from the garage to the apartments, necessitating using two sets of coded access doors. This is very unusual in such residences, and makes it very hard to load and unload luggage between the car and the apartment. 

GENERAL ISSUES 
We have stayed in nine CGH Residences since 2006 (see below), including La Grange aux Fees in 2015. We have also stayed in apartments operated by MGM, MMV, Pierre et Vacances, Les Balcons, Alparena and others during the same period. The following comments are based on comparison with these apartments. In many cases the apartments are cheaper than CGH for a similar apartment for the same week. We can give examples having also used MMV in Sainte Foy and Alparena in La Rosière this year. 

Poor bed presentation (compared with CGH brochure images and other operators) 
Cheap towels (compared with other operators) 
Pillowcases not fitting pillows (compared with other CGH and operators) 
Small pillows (compared with other operators) 
Twin beds side by side for use as double, but with single bedding (compared to other operators who fit proper double bedding) 
No cushions on bed or sofa (compared with CGH brochure images and other operators) 
WC in huge space with no washbasin (see image). Very unhygienic especially since apartment sleeps 6 (compared with other operators) 
Oven at considerable height with bottom hinged door (see image). Only accessible safely by someone over 2m in height (compared with other operators) 
Minimal toiletries provided (compared with other CGH and operators) 
Only 2 wifi connections provided for up to 6 people, with re-login required each day (compared with other operators) 
Only 2 sets of towels provided despite paying full price for 4/6 person apartment (compared with other operators) 
No safe provided for valuables (compared with other operators) 
No vacuum cleaner provided (although on the inventory, compared with other CGH and operators) 
TV small and without English channels (some operators provide Smart TVs and access to English channels.)
Heating set to go off mid evening leaving apartment cold (compared with other operators) 
Inventory provided and checked but no action (most other operators seem to have dispensed with the inventory) 
Garage not accessible internally from apartments (compared with other CGH and operators) 

We have stayed in the following CGH Residences since 2006:

La Rosière (2 different ones) 
Sainte Foy (2 different ones) 
Champagny
Peisey-Vallandry
Chatel
Grand Bornand
Valmorel 
Les Carroz
Les Houches
Les Saisies 

We originally chose to stay in CGH residences because of the high standard of the accommodation and service. Over the years we have noticed a severe decline in these standards, such that other apartment operators are now providing better quality than CGH, often at a lower cost.



CGH QUALITY IS SADLY IN DECLINE 

We always stay at CGH apartments wherever we go to ski each year. They are always clean, comfortable and all you need for a family ski holiday. La Grange in Valmorel was particularly good due to its location right next to a ski lift! Literally 10 steps away from the boot room and you are at a lift. The town centre is a short walk away (7mins).
The spa facilities are also very nice. Just what you need after a long day hard skiing. Steffi gave me a very relaxing back massage. I can certainly recommend her. 
The girls (receptionists) at front desk are so helpful and friendly. Sephora was there everyday to great us with fresh bread, croissants and a big smile. 
The underground parking facilities are also very handy, nice wide spaces for larger cars. 
The kitchens are well equipped. The ovens are slightly tricky to figure out but directions are provided, which you will need! 
And the views from our large balcony were the best we have ever had. 
Oh and the skiing the week we were there was just perfect! 


Perfect location! 

We stayed between 16/02/19-23/02/19.  E-mailed directly our disappointment and got a poor response back.  

Prior to our stay, we enquired about directions and we were provided with detailed instructions, which we followed, notably to take the first right as you get to Valmorel and go through the barrier, which we did and ended up on an icy track which ended at the Lanchettes lift. I had to walk 50m up the piste to find reception and I was greeted with no smile, no welcome and was told that we hadn’t followed the directions! The receptionist seemed too busy eating than to actually help me; we had experienced a very long drive from Lyon airport of over 5 hours due to traffic and it was not the welcome I’d hoped for, or indeed expected.

The WiFi in our room was extremely poor, one evening it didn’t work at all, for the rest of our time, we could only have one device connected and that connection was unstable and dropped frequently, which for a family of 4 is unacceptable. Whilst I appreciate that broadband/internet connectivity is limited in the Alps, in current times with satellite internet and given the cost of a week’s stay in a 2 bedroom apartment, it is not unreasonable to expect a WiFi connection for more than one device - most other hotels are limit free.

The room itself was not cleaned satisfactorily, underneath the sofa was disgusting and hadn’t been cleaned for a considerable amount of time given the dust and dirt we found. The pillows were too small and there were not enough for the number of guests. There was not enough storage in the rooms - there was no wardrobe in the main double bedroom and the other wardrobe upstairs had 4 coat hangers in it, certainly not enough for 4 guests. Having stayed with CGH before (at a different location), we were aware that we would only be provided with 1 toilet roll per toilet, however the quality of the toilet paper provided was terrible - this might sound petty, but there's economy and there's also economy! (CGH bill themselves as "luxurious".  On our departure, we removed the bedding as requested and found a dirty mattress protector with hairs on it!  We wondered whether the cleaners actually clean the rooms at all!  We certainly left the room much cleaner than we found it.
During our stay, the lights in the boot room failed and it took 24 hours to be fixed, the hotel said this was a power cut with the provider - very strange as all the other lights in the hotel worked. This posed a significant safety hazard given that everyone trying to collect ski equipment and put on ski boots in the dark. My daughter was hit by a falling ski which had been propped up against the wall and I was hit by another guest opening the door.

When we booked this residence, we chose it because of the swimming pool and jacuzzi for our children. When we visited the spa area, there was an age limit on some of the facilities - my children were particularly upset. This ruined our holiday as the children were looking forward to the spa - it was one of the main reasons for booking this residence and we were not advised of this beforehand and it is not mentioned on the website. Never had any spa related issues in other hotels. 

Finally, during the busiest ski week of the year, for reception to be closed during the middle of the day is unacceptable (mid morning through until late afternoon). Guests may need help at any time of the day, not just the hours to suit reception staff.

Our experience was not commensurate to the cost of our stay and we left feeling very disappointed - having used CGH previously, time to go elsewhere for genuine luxury next year.

Disappointing, as was the response to our feedback...

To begin with, the pictures on their website do not reflect reality. The pictures show a luxury resort while in reality you have a *** accomodation. Upon arrival, the appartment is accessible from 5 p.m. only unless you pay €50 extra! This is not mentioned upon reservation, but in a brochure you receive just before your holiday. CGH even calls you upfront to ask if you want to pay the €50 extra. We had an appartment with no view but a hill of snow. The common parts (stairway, elevator, ...) of the appartment block were filthy, even upon arrival after the block was supposedly fully cleaned. We haven't seen much cleaning staff during our stay in any case. Every facility outside the appartment/every service is paying, even the coffee and the billiards game at the reception. There is no reception service between 11 and 4 p.m. Our pool locker was broke and remained broke even after several reminders to repair it. The wi-fi connection was a nightmare. It was so difficult to connect that you'd gave up. An email to CGH about it remained unanswered. Why La Grange aux Fées calls itself a résidence hotelière is not clear as there aren't any hotel-like services or they must have been hidden quite well ...

CGH résidence 'hotelière' isn't worth its **** ranking

CGH claims to offer high quality, luxurious 4-star accommodations, while in reality they placed us in a poorly maintained and dirty apartment. There was a leakage in the bathroom at the first floor, which flooded the living area on the ground floor when we took a shower. We were surprised to learn that they were aware of this issue that could not be solved according to the maintenance guy and nonetheless placed us in this apartment. ‘We just had to shower very carefully’ was the advice of the receptionist. The kitchen and the floors were very dirty, there were even cigarette butts on the floor. This combined with the worse service and client hospitality we have ever experienced, ruined our holiday experience. The local management nor the CGH head office took the leakage and cleanliness of the apartment seriously. They were also not prepared to provide us with any compensation for the inconvenience caused. It is a shame, but we will never book a CGH accommodation again.

The promise of a luxury holiday experience turned into a big disappointment

Beatiful residence showing the perfect atmosphere for being in the mountains. New duplex appartment with very open and spacefull rooms. A lot of wood used which makes it cosy. Kitchen well equipped. Foreseen with a big terras. Fitness, sauna, whirlpool and pool are accessable.

Cgh Résidences & Spas la Grange Aux Fées

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