Royal Ours Blanc

Royal Ours Blanc, Alpe-d'Huez: A Comprehensive Review of this Michelin Key Selected Property

The Royal Ours Blanc, a 4-star Hotel & Spa in the heart of Alpe d'Huez, stands out as a luxurious and welcoming retreat in the French Alps. Selected by the Michelin Key for its modern design and lively ambiance, it consistently garners positive guest feedback for its prime location, exceptional service, and comfortable amenities.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Royal Ours Blanc is highly positive, with guests frequently describing it as a fabulous experience. It maintains strong ratings across various platforms, including a 9.4 for location, 9.1 for cleanliness, 9.2 for comfort, and an impressive 9.3 for staff performance on Booking.com. Overall, the sentiment leans towards a comfortable and enjoyable stay offering good value for money.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of the Royal Ours Blanc. Its central location is a major draw, offering easy access to ski lifts and being within metres of restaurants and amenities. The exceptional and hospitable staff are frequently highlighted for their helpfulness and flexibility, creating a "home-like" atmosphere for many. The hotel's modern chalet aesthetic with a unique design inspired by honeycomb and polar bears, along with its warm and cosy interiors, is also a significant highlight. Furthermore, the wellness facilities, including an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, steam room, and spa, are highly appreciated for post-ski relaxation.

3. Room Quality

The 46 rooms at Royal Ours Blanc offer a cozy, contemporary decor with warm colors, designed to be convivial spaces. Guests describe them as bright, welcoming, well-kept, and spacious, ranging from 25 to 45 square meters. A key feature is the private, south-facing balcony in most rooms, providing magnificent mountain views. Rooms are equipped with modern private bathrooms (some with baths), satellite TV, safes, mini-fridges, and tea/coffee makers. Complimentary bathrobes, slippers, and toiletries are also provided. Some suites even boast a fireplace for added luxury and romance.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a delightful dining experience starting with a "brilliant" and "plentiful" all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, featuring both continental and English-style options, which is highly appreciated by guests before a day on the slopes. For dinner, the on-site restaurant, La Taverne de l'Ours, provides a friendly and relaxing atmosphere with contemporary furnishings. Guests can enjoy a three-course evening meal with a daily changing menu, offering a choice of three starters, three main courses, and a dessert buffet. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are always available, as is a children's menu. The bar, with its inviting fireplace and lounge area, is a perfect spot for afternoon tea or après-ski cocktails.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Royal Ours Blanc consistently receive outstanding reviews. Guests frequently praise the team for being exceptionally helpful, accommodating, friendly, and flexible. Many reviewers have noted the staff going "the extra mile" and creating a hospitable environment that makes them feel "a little like home". The hotel provides a 24-hour front desk, concierge services, luggage storage, and a wake-up service, with multilingual staff on hand to assist guests.

6. Location & Accessibility

Royal Ours Blanc boasts an enviable central location in Alpe d'Huez, often cited as one of its strongest assets. It is ideally situated just 100-300 meters from ski lifts and slopes, offering easy access to the vast Alpe d'Huez Ski Resort, which features over 250km of marked slopes. The hotel is also conveniently close to a variety of restaurants, shops, and attractions within the town. While on-site parking is not available, guests can arrange pay parking nearby or utilize the hotel's shuttle service for convenient local exploration.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally consider the Royal Ours Blanc to offer good value for money, with a rating of 8.6 in this category on Booking.com. Agoda notes an average room price of approximately $122, which is presented as "affordable luxury" compared to the city's average of $171. Double rooms including breakfast typically range from €120 to €530, depending on the season and specific room type.

8. Common Complaints

The most frequently mentioned complaint among guests is the lack of on-site parking. The hotel advises guests to reserve nearby parking online in advance. While overwhelmingly positive, a few older reviews (dating back several years) noted that bar and restaurant prices within the hotel could be high. Occasional mentions of minor issues like noise disturbances or limited amenities were present in some reviews, though these appear to be less common in recent feedback.

Sources

1. hotels-fr.net
2. booking.com
3. hotelroyaloursblanc.com
4. agoda.com
5. sunweb.co.uk
6. kayak.co.uk
7. alpedhuez.com
8. michelin.com
9. hotels.com
10. seealpedhuez.com
11. myboutiquehotel.com
12. google.com
13. expedia.com