Self-catered apartment vs luxury hotel

ONCE YOU HAVE CHOSEN WHERE TO SKI, ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DECISIONS IS YOUR PREFERRED STYLE OF ACCOMMODATION. GETTING THIS RIGHT CAN BE THE UNDERPINNING OF EITHER A GOOD OR BAD EXPERIENCE…

Imagine waking every morning to breathtaking mountain views and a delicious fresh breakfast basket from the local boulangerie, with your day’s activities pre-arranged by your apartment manager!

Unlike a hotel, a luxury self-catered apartment offers the exclusive opportunity to create your dream holiday without the restraints of hotel timings and restaurant-packed tables, with an added element of unparalleled privacy and safety.

A private luxury apartment is synonymous with comfort and flexibility. Whether you feel like spending the day lounging in front of an open fire, skiing your favourite piste, or sampling the latest gourmet cuisine delivery from a Michelin-starred restaurant, you are free to steer your course.

At the heart of any luxury holiday there are three essential factors – the destination, the service and the guests. Consensio’s exclusive portfolio of self-catered apartments is a curated selection of the finest properties located across Val d’Isère and Méribel in the French Alps. Each apartment is unique in design and features an abundance of desirable features.

A spectacular destination is one thing, but the all-determining factor that sets a great tour operator apart from the masses is its service. If you research the details of most luxury ski holiday packages, the prescriptive nature of what is on offer quickly becomes apparent. However, true luxury should not be inflexible, but personal to the individual.

As such, the service Consensio offers is entirely client-led and every single detail is tailored to match the unique needs and preferences of the guests. Ultimately, the guests make the rules and Consensio helps them curate the very best experience.

So how does a luxury apartment holiday differ from a five-star stay in a top Alpine hotel in the same resort? And is the apartment experience suited to everyone?

An authentic ski holiday experience is, without a doubt, characterised by a cosy Alpine setting. Nothing quite compares to a roaring fire, laid-out fluffy slippers and a home-away-fromhome ambience – and, of course, it wouldn’t be a Consensio holiday without a welcoming bottle of complimentary PerrierJouët Champagne cooling in the fridge. Self-Catered Apartment Etoile Filante is a modern luxury duplex apartment in the high-altitude resort of Val d’Isère. With an open-plan seating arrangement around a cosy, atmospheric fireplace, this authentically Alpine luxury apartment is also home to an elegant dining room and a separate kitchen which opens onto a balcony with mountain views. Upstairs you will find a study area for those who need a quiet space to catch up with some work – a useful luxury not often available in a hotel. Compared to a hotel, the dining table seats 10, so all guests can enjoy a quiet evening meal together rather than eating in

a noisy shared restaurant space. Additionally, all child-friendly equipment, including high chairs, can be arranged before your visit so they’re in place for your arrival and easily accessible for you all week.

Consensio operates a very small collection of self-catered apartments for which it also provides a dedicated concierge service. Compared to a hotel concierge service, where they are caring for many guests, your personal sales director has the time to get to know you and your party well and will be with you every step of the way, from your initial enquiry right through to the moment you arrive back home.

All services can be arranged, including pre-arrival shopping, food delivery, ski hire, ski guides, lift passes, transfers, nannies, restaurant reservations and resort activities.

Party size also is a great determining factor in whether an apartment or hotel is best for your needs.

Apartments tend to be more suited to the needs of families and larger groups, whereas a couple may find that a five-star hotel is better for them.

It is also important to remember that while Consensio apartments are serviced by apartment and resort managers and overseen by an apartment sales specialist, there is no 24-hour service on offer.

The bottom line? If you are travelling alone or as a couple, are likely to need help during the night or enjoy making friends by dining among strangers, think about a hotel for your next ski holiday. However, if you want a more personalised, private holiday with a group of loved ones away from all the hubbub of a busy hotel, a luxury Alpine apartment is for you.

And the price comparison may also surprise you! A stay in Apartment Etoile Filante during the last week of many children’s Easter holiday breaks costs just €1,434 per head for nine people, whereas a nearby luxury Val d’Isère hotel costs almost double at a whopping €2,520 per head for the same dates.

If you would like to enquire about Apartment Etoile Filante, or any of Consensio’s other self-catered apartments, contact their dedicated ski sales specialist: sales@consensiochalets.co.uk +44 (0) 203 393 0833 www.consensiochalets.co.uk