Grand Hotel Paradiso

“Generally good but a few disappointments”

We were staying here for a week with Crystal Ski so didn’t expect ultimate luxury. Our room was spacious and clean with a huge bed but too warm and despite switching the heating off, it came back on automatically. The buffet breakfasts and dinners were very good but some gelato would have been rea… lisää

We were staying here for a week with Crystal Ski so didn’t expect ultimate luxury. Our room was spacious and clean with a huge bed but too warm and despite switching the heating off, it came back on automatically. The buffet breakfasts and dinners were very good but some gelato would have been really welcomed as an alternative to the flans, tiramisu, profiteroles and the like, on offer. As a vegetarian, it was difficult to know what was suitable to eat without asking the staff, so clear labelling would help. The ‘free’ meal in the Vinea Pasta and Pizza restaurant, which was included in the Crystal package, was a real disappointment. The pizzas were very good but only three choices of pasta and the drinks and dessert were identical but more limited than what was available in the buffet. In fact, we had no choice of dessert, which was just placed in front of us as soon as we had finished our main course. Also, there was no antipasti on offer either. The only benefit was a quieter environment. Other facilities in the hotel were available to us but at a cost. For example, 15 euros for a one hour swim at a specified time. The ski room is excellent and there is access to the slopes right outside but up a flight of metal steps. The village is about a 10 minute walk from the hotel, with the usual choice of shops you’d find in a dedicated ski resort.

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“Great week”

We loved our stay here. We had rooms with balconies overlooking the slopes and they were generous in size with comfortable beds and excellent bathrooms (hot water was great). The room was very clean (really appreciated having hard floors and no carpet) and the cleaning staff did a great job each … lisää

We loved our stay here. We had rooms with balconies overlooking the slopes and they were generous in size with comfortable beds and excellent bathrooms (hot water was great). The room was very clean (really appreciated having hard floors and no carpet) and the cleaning staff did a great job each day. Reception staff were helpful and friendly. We visited during the Easter holidays and the hotel was full, which meant the dining room was somewhat chaotic and busy - particularly for dinner. The tables were close together and it sometimes involved two people standing up, to allow a third to exit. If you can go a bit later you would miss the rush. The food was varied and of a good quality. Wine and beer also good and sparkling or still water freely available. As a vegetarian, I would have really appreciated individual labels for the salad section and clearer labels for the hot food. I took a tomato pasta dish, which ultimately had pancetta in - this wasn’t on the label by the dish. Breakfast was fine, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, bread, meat, cheese, croissant and muffins. Plus boiled/scrambled/fried eggs, omelette, beans, sausage and bacon. Same each morning. My only quibble is that on our departure morning there was no bread or yoghurt and fruit was very limited. It’s a shame the hotel doesn’t adequately cater for the final breakfast. This was the only instance when the staff were not excellent. The dining room manager told me that it was the end of the season, so nothing to be done… A poor response and not typical of our experience otherwise of the hotel. Location wise, the hotel is at one end of Passo Tonale. This worked well for us as it was away from the hotels with all the school groups. However if you use Evolution ski school, you need to get to the other end. This is possible traversing across the slopes, but harder if you have complete novices or very small children with you (we thought Evolution ski school was excellent though). Lovely hotel and we enjoyed our week.

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“Fabulous room and view but could do without the constant ‘music’ everywhere.”

We were delighted with our room which was on a newly added floor. The view from the window was fantastic and the room was cleaned daily. We were well catered for by all the staff. We paid the extra €50 for use of the pool, sauna and jacuzzi for the week. A mandatory bathing cap and towel is provide… lisää

We were delighted with our room which was on a newly added floor. The view from the window was fantastic and the room was cleaned daily. We were well catered for by all the staff. We paid the extra €50 for use of the pool, sauna and jacuzzi for the week. A mandatory bathing cap and towel is provided and flip flops too if you don’t have your own. The hotel was fully booked last week so tables and chairs were tightly packed in the dining room. There was plenty of food and a choice of free wine, soft drinks or beer with dinner. Many of the dinner choices changed daily but not the breakfast menu. The hotel is sort of ski in ski out. It’s right at the bottom of the slopes but to access the lifts you have to climb some quite narrow metal stairs. But, if you walk a little further to the ticket office there are some easier steps. My only grumble about the hotel and the resort in general is the noise issue. It started when we arrived mid afternoon after having left home at 2 am. We just wanted to rest but a bar at the bottom of the slopes next to the hotel was blasting away - ‘music’? Thankfully it stopped before bedtime. The crazy thing is that the disturbing noise was caused by the extra amplification outside the bar when all the customers were sitting inside! Can the hotel management not sort this out? I’m glad I wasn’t in a room at that end of the hotel. I wouldn’t risk returning to this hotel for that one reason which is a shame because the hotel itself was great. I wish the hotel didn’t also feel the need to always add background music in the dining room and seating area. The chatter from so many people crammed into the space along with piped music over the top didn’t create a relaxed dining experience for me. Perhaps a quiet hour from 6.30 might help ease the congestion and also cater to people who’d prefer no music at all to a kind they find intolerable. Each to their own choice but is it fair to force one style of music on everyone? The problem of noise pollution was compounded on the slopes. Every cafe churned it out and in one place you had to suffer two at the same time; outside had a different track to inside! It was also a very busy week with skiing competitions taking place which again ramped up the loud blaring music even further.

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