Escape to the French Alps: Cozy Rustic Studio by the Slopes!
Escape to the French Alps: Cozy Rustic Studio by the Slopes! - A Rambling Review from a Real Person (with a Touch of Altitude Sickness)
Alright, here we go. This is not going to be a sterile, perfect review. I'm writing this after battling a rogue croissant and a healthy dose of mountain air, so expect things to wander a bit. And full disclosure: I am not a mountain goat, more like a slightly-stressed, moderately-fit human who appreciates a good view and a decent cup of coffee.
The Vibe: Cozy Rustic Studio… Yeah, That’s About Right.
The name's accurate. It's a cozy rustic studio. Think exposed beams, a tiny little kitchen that screams "limited culinary ambitions," and a view that actually did make me gasp (the good kind, not the altitude sickness kind). It's nestled near the slopes – which, if you're a skier, is GOLD. If you're me, who’s a wannabe skier, it’s a slightly intimidating but still beautiful view.
Accessibility & Basics: The Essentials (and the Little Annoyances)
Okay, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. Accessibility? It's… decent. There's a lift (thank GOD, hauling luggage up stairs is my Everest). I saw a few rooms listed as wheelchair accessible but I’m not sure how truly accessible they were – definitely check with the hotel directly if you need that. Internet? YES! Whew. They boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and it mostly held up. Internet access – LAN… I didn't touch that. Look, I’m here to relax, not wire myself into the matrix. Free Wi-Fi! – that’s what matters. There's Internet itself, and also Internet services. I think these are similar and I'm glad they are.
Now, a small rant: Parking was listed as "free of charge". Which is great, but good luck finding a space. The parking lot seemed to be perpetually battling a snowball fight with itself. I did find Car park [on-site], but I could only squeeze my tiny rental in its adjacent space. So, be prepared for potential parking wars.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling… Relatively Safe?
This is where things get interesting. The Anti-viral cleaning products are a good sign. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available which is nice! Felt like they were taking things seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays? Yep. And they weren’t just saying it; I actually saw them scrubbing. Seeing all the hand sanitizer stations scattered everywhere made me feel like I was living in a permanent germaphobe’s dream, but hey, better safe than sorry, right? The Staff trained in safety protocol seemed competent, though the guy who served me breakfast looked like he'd rather be scaling a literal mountain. Daily disinfection in common areas was apparent. Hygiene certification. Check.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag (as Always)
Here's where my experience becomes a bit… well, me. Restaurants: There were a couple of them. Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant (didn’t try that – I went for the more classic French fare). Breakfast [buffet] – I loved it. Okay, maybe not loved, but it had the essentials: croissants (thank GOD, and a solid Western breakfast), some weirdly-delicious yogurt with granola, and… well, coffee. Which is what really mattered. They also had Breakfast takeaway service. I was thinking a Bottle of water would be nice for the trip. Coffee/tea in restaurant was good. I might have gotten the Desserts in restaurant too. Poolside bar. Not during my visit, sadly – too cold. And the Snack bar. It was there.
The Restaurant Ramblings (and the Imperfect Croissant):
The Buffet in restaurant experience? Okay, here's the truth. I saw one of the staff Daily disinfection in common areas by the croissant display at one point, let's just say I was watching that buffet like a hawk after that. The croissants were amazing, but one time, one little guy… the little monster, wasn't baked quite right. I’m talking the slightly underbaked, doughy kind. I almost died from disappointment. I’d like to report that that croissant… it haunted me. Yes. It haunted me throughout the entire trip. I’m still not over it. I'm guessing the Soup in restaurant was bad too. The Salad in restaurant and A la carte in restaurant looked pretty good.
They also had a bar. I think I heard someone getting Happy hour though. Did someone say Poolside bar? I think I just missed it..
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Real Deal (and My Personal Nirvana)
Alright, this is where the hotel really shines. I didn't try the Body scrub or Body wrap. I'd rather sit on the slopes and not worry about the way the world sees me. Fitness center? I saw it. I looked at it. I thought about it. I went to the bar instead. You know I checked out the Sauna! As well as the Spa/sauna, and Steamroom. Ahhhhh, I can still feel the heat on my skin. The Body scrub, or the Massage, are on my to-do list.
The Pool with View: OH. MY. GOD. The Swimming Pool was a dream (indoor and Swimming pool [outdoor]). The Spa itself? Pure bliss. The view from the pool was breathtaking – snow-capped peaks reflected in the water. I think I spent approximately 3 hours there, doing absolutely nothing but staring and breathing. It was perfect.
Services and Conveniences: The Bits and Bobs
Air conditioning in public area. Nice. I saw Elevator there. And Facilities for disabled guests I'm not an expert, but I liked the concept of this hotel more. I think Daily housekeeping was just fine. Not much to say other than 'it was nice to have my room clean!'
For the Kids: Family Friendly (Probably)
I don't have kids, but I did see a family. There were Kids facilities. Also Babysitting service. I think it would probably work out, but I wouldn't want to put my kids there -- just me!
The Room: My Cozy Little Alpine Nest
Okay, let's talk about the actual studio. It was… small. But in a charming, efficient, alpine-y way. Air conditioning – appreciated. Daily housekeeping – a lifesaver. Free Wi-Fi – thank the heavens. Bathrobes were comfy, though a bit scratchy. You've got a Coffee/tea maker - crucial wake up. You know I used the Mirror, Refrigerator, and Safe/security feature. I'm not sure about the Alarm clock. Mini bar was there, but I'd rather buy something at the convenience store. Smoke detector - check. Window that opens – important for fresh air, also for checking the view! Blackout curtains – essential for sleeping in, especially after a day of… croissant-induced despair.
Getting Around: The Mountain Maze
The hotel offers Airport transfer. There's a Car park [free of charge] (see above for my parking drama), Car park [on-site]. Taxi service. The Bicycle parking was there. I think I saw a Car power charging station.
Overall: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Yes. Despite the rogue croissant, the slightly-difficult parking, and the fact that my ski skills resemble a newborn giraffe on ice. The view, the pool, the general cozy vibe… it's all worth it. It’s not a perfect hotel, but it's a real hotel, and that's something I can appreciate. It’s a place to escape and relax. If you want a luxurious, polished, perfectly-curated experience, this might not be the place for you. But if you want a cozy, authentic, slightly quirky alpine escape, then absolutely, book it. And maybe pack your own croissant.
Durbuy's Dream Villa: Private Pool & Unforgettable Luxury
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-wine-stained account of my escape to a rustic studio in the woods near that ski lift in Morillon, France. Prepare for emotional rollercoasters, questionable decisions, and a whole lot of "WTF was I thinking?" moments.
Day 1: Arrival - AKA The "Chalet Charm" vs. "Existential Dread" Battle
- Morning (ish): Flight landed at Geneva. Hah. "Landed." More like, "Survived turbulence that made me reconsider all life choices." Found my rental car, a charming little Renault that promptly judged my driving skills. First hurdle: navigating the roundabout. I swear, those things are designed by sadists.
- Mid-day: The drive to Morillon was supposed to be scenic. It was. Scenic and terrifying, with hairpin turns that threatened to send me careening into a picturesque ravine. Found the studio. It's…rustic. REALLY rustic. Think "cozy cabin chic" with a hefty dose of "maybe-this-wasn't-such-a-good-idea." The WiFi is nonexistent, the water pressure's a whisper, and I'm pretty sure a squirrel just tried to move in. My first thought? "Should've booked the Hilton." My second thought: "Embrace the solitude. You need this." (I'm still debating which thought will win).
- Afternoon: Unpacked (or rather, attempted to unpack. My suitcase exploded like a glitter bomb). Took a walk to the village. It's adorably small, and the air smells like pine needles and something vaguely cheesy (probably fondue). Tried (and failed) to order coffee in French, resulting in a whole lot of gesturing and a sympathetic look from the barista.
- Evening: Dinner at the only open restaurant: a cozy, wooden-beamed place filled with locals who probably speak French faster than I can say "Bonjour." The food? Beyond delicious! I think I had a full half a wheel of brie and a hearty glass of red wine. That wine was the best thing that happened that day, not going to lie. That's when I started to think…maybe this wasn't such a terrible idea after all.
Day 2: Skiing? More Like "Falling With Style"
- Morning: THE SKI LIFT BECKONS. Suited up, looking like a slightly less-competent extra from a Bond film. Got on the lift. Holy mother of…HEIGHTS! Turns out I'm mildly terrified of heights, which isn't ideal when you're strapped to a chair suspended hundreds of feet in the air.
- Mid-day: First run. Immediately fell. Several times. Grace? Where? I became acquainted with the snow. My ski instructor, bless his patient soul, attempted to teach me the basics. I responded by mostly flailing and giggling, but actually making somewhat of progress, I started to enjoy the ride, the wind in my face, the mountains all around me. It was spectacular.
- Afternoon: More skiing! (More falling). Ate lunch at a mountain restaurant. The food? French fries, bread, a bit too much butter and more wine. The view? Unbelievable. The feeling? Exhausted but happy.
- Evening: The world's most satisfying shower (after shoveling snow from the door and getting the water heater to cooperate.) Book. Fire. Bed. Bliss.
Day 3: Rambling, Thinking About the Meaning of Everything
- Morning: Oh, the sun! The snow! The glorious quiet of the mountains! Enjoyed a morning of nothing, or perhaps, everything. Woke up with a feeling of excitement. After my coffee (which I finally managed to make!) I headed to the local grocery store. I spent a while there just wandering, reading the labels, trying to understand. It's amazing how different the simplest things are.
- Mid-day: Walk in the forest. Wandered through a forest. Saw some snow-covered trees. Had an epiphany about the interconnectedness of all things (or maybe it was just the altitude. Or the red wine). The snow was perfect, fresh, and untouched.
- Afternoon: I came back to the studio, and just sat. Looking at the vastness of the mountains. I took some photos but ended up deleting them. They couldn't capture it. It was too real. I cooked a basic meal. Just sat there for a while. I started to miss everyone. Then thought, no, no, no. This is what I needed.
- Evening: I decided to try and build a fire. What a disaster. Smoke. Coughing. Eventually, success! But the fact that I am unable to do what our ancestors did? Disturbing. I sat beside it for a bit, and thought I might fall asleep right there. I eventually crawled into bed to read.
Day 4: The "Bonjour" Battle Continues (and a near-disaster with a fondue pot)
- Morning: Attempted to order croissants at the bakery. Failed. Spectacularly. Ended up with something that looked like a croissant but tasted like a…well, something vaguely cardboard-like.
- Mid-day: Dedicated to skiing again! So much improvement! It was cold. I loved it.
- Afternoon: Shopping for fondue supplies. I was going to make fondue! My first ever! This evening was going to be great! I went to the store! I bought all the cheeses! (I think I got the right ones). Bread too!
- Evening: Disaster. Fondue preparation. Disaster. Did not work. Everything went wrong. I started to cry and drank even more wine.
Day 5: Farewell (Or, "I'm Never Leaving!")
- Morning: Woke up with a profound sense of melancholy. Packed (this time, a little more successfully). Took one last walk through the village. Tried to memorize every detail and scent.
- Mid-day: Hit the road. The scenic drive was actually…enjoyable this time! Maybe I'm finally getting the hang of those roundabouts.
- Afternoon: Drop the car and depart. The flight was uneventful. But my heart will stay in the mountains.
- Evening: Back home. Feeling refreshed. Feeling changed. Did I mention I’ll be back?
Escape to the French Alps: Cozy Rustic Studio by the Slopes! - Um, Let's Talk About This…
Okay, so "Cozy Rustic" – what does that *actually* mean? Is it, like, full of cobwebs and questionable plumbing?
Alright, alright, let's be real. "Cozy Rustic" is code, right? For "charmingly old," in my world. Look, it *is* rustic. Think exposed beams, a little creaky, and definitely *not* a sterile hotel room. Picture this: I arrived, fresh off a ten-hour bus ride from Paris (don't ask), utterly exhausted. And the key? Stuck. For, like, a solid five minutes. Fumbling in the snow with frozen fingers. Charming? Debatable. Eventually, got it open. Inside? Yep, beams. And the smell? A lovely mix of pine, maybe a hint of woodsmoke, and… my own existential dread. Okay, maybe a little dramatic. But it's character! The plumbing? Fine, mostly. Had a minor incident with the shower spraying water across the entire bathroom the first morning, but a quick fix (duct tape, naturally) and we were back in business. So, yes, rustic. But cozy? Once you've wrestled with the key and conquered the shower? Absolutely. It felt like being wrapped in a warm, slightly moth-eaten, French hug.
The slopes! Easy access, right? Or am I going to be doing the ice-skating shuffle uphill?
"Easy access." That's what the listing said. And it *is* pretty close. Like, you can see the ski lift. Which, on paper, is amazing. In practice? Well, let's just say "close" is relative. My first morning, I'm buzzing, eager to hit the slopes. All bundled up, skis in tow (which, by the way, felt like lugging a small tree). And then I saw *the hill.* Not a *mountain*, mind you, just a fairly significant incline, ice coated, between the studio and the lift. Think Bambi on skates. I swear, I looked like a penguin getting into a knife fight with gravity. Spent a good twenty minutes sliding, cursing, and contemplating giving up skiing altogether. The local kids, of course, zipped past me, laughing, looking like they were born on skis. So, yeah, "easy access," but pack your sense of humor (and maybe some crampons). Seriously, crampons aren't a bad idea. I bought some. Best investment ever. They are a godsend.
What's the kitchen situation? Can I actually cook, or am I surviving on instant noodles and existential ennui?
The kitchen? Okay, so, it's… functional. Let's go with that. It's got a hot plate, a mini-fridge that sounds like a dying walrus, and a sink that's seen better days. I'm not going to lie, my first attempt at cooking involved setting off the smoke alarm. Twice. I attempted to make a simple omelet. Simple, right? Apparently not. The smoke, the beeping, the near-miss with the fire extinguisher... It was a whole scene. Ended up eating a baguette and some cheese for dinner that night. And you know what? It was perfect. So, yes, you *can* cook. But I'd recommend keeping it simple. Baguettes, cheese, local wine... Embrace the French lifestyle! And maybe avoid anything that involves extensive sautéing. The smoke alarm is… sensitive. And don't get me started on the lack of a decent can opener. I had to use a butter knife!
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because I need to Instagram the heck out of those mountain views, obviously. And maybe answer a few emails...
Ah, the Wi-Fi. This is where things get… *interesting*. The listing *said* Wi-Fi was available. And technically, it *is*. Like, it's there. Somewhere. Maybe. It's a bit like a shy Yeti. You know it exists in theory, but it's rare to actually *see* it. Some days it was blazing fast, allowing me to upload all the stunning mountain views instantly. Other days? Well, let's just say my Instagram feed was a digital desert. I learned to embrace the slower pace. Spent more time actually *looking* at the mountains instead of staring at my phone. It was… actually kind of nice. But, yeah, if you're relying on constant connectivity, pack a book. And maybe download a few movies beforehand. Just in case the Yeti decides to hide for a while.
Is it really "by the slopes"? I mean, how close are we *really* talking? Are we talking "stroll to the lift" or "trek across Siberia"?
Okay, I mentioned the hill up to the lift, yeah? Well, let's expand on this, because this is where my *true* relationship with the property solidified. See, it *is* close. You're talking a *few* minutes if you're Usain Bolt on ice skates. The first day? I overestimated my fitness levels. I mean, who reads the snow report *before* they leave? Not me. I trudged up that hill with my ski boots, my skis, my poles, my backpack... I felt like a pack mule. Halfway up, I had a full-blown existential crisis, questioning every life choice that led me to this moment. My legs were burning, I was panting like a dog, and I was pretty sure my lungs were about to stage a coup. I swear, I imagined myself collapsing dramatically at the top, right in front of the chic, effortlessly-cool locals who were practically *flying* up the slope. I had to stop, multiple times. Like, lean against a snowdrift and *breathe* stop. Then, after I stopped breathing, I realized I'd forgotten to grab a coffee. I mean, all the effort of leaving and I STILL hadn't had a decent croissant and coffee. The horror. And that downhill was the worst. After the first day, I was a puddle of exhaustion and regret. And the next day? I found a different route. And the day after *that*? I actually *embraced* the hill. It's character building, people! And the views from up there are absolutely worth it. Mostly. (Bring good boots.)
Is there anything *not* to like? Be honest!
Okay, fine. Let's get brutally honest. The hot water situation is… temperamental. Like, sometimes you get scalding hot water. Other times, you get a lukewarm drizzle. It's a lottery, basically. Also, the bed is *firm*. Like, seriously firm. If you enjoy sleeping on a cloud, this place might not be for you. I swear, the first night, I felt like I was sleeping on a slab of granite. My back ached. My dreams were populated with images of soft, fluffy mattresses. But you know what? I got used to it. And the views, the charm, the feeling of being *away* from everything… it all kind of makes up for it. Mostly. I still dream of a proper mattress, though. Also, and I genuinely regret this, there wasn't a single EnglishHotel Explorers
