Makeover moves mountains at Alpine ski resort
With towering snow-capped peaks, an eight-degree gradient and 21 hairpin bends the high road to the French Alpine resort of L'Alpe d'Huez is a challenging drive at the best of times.
But spare a thought for the fleet of truck drivers tasked with delivering building materials for one of the most extensive hotel refurbishments the resort has seen.
Gloucester-based Take Me To (Ski) launched an immediate refurbishment programme when they swooped on the landmark Hotel Les Grandes Rousses back in June.
The £250,000 revamp necessitated dozens of truck journeys to and from the premier ski resort – and everything from plasterboards to pots of paint and new light bulbs had to be hauled up the mountainside from nearby Grenoble.
Take Me To (Ski) brand manager Chris Wadley said the company had relished the challenge of returning the landmark hotel to its former splendour.
He said: “We have never tackled anything quite like it. Getting everything up to the resort was a logistical nightmare.“
The high altitude ski specialists have been working around the clock to transform the Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in time for the new ski season.
Chris Wadley said: “The challenge is to meet the ever increasing expectations of a very discerning set of customers for better service and higher levels of customer care. The aim is to provide five star service at three star prices and we are hoping our first season will really raise our profile in this presitge resort. “
Heart of the newly refurbished hotel is the 4Ms bar – which Take Me To (Ski) are backing to become the hub of the whole of L’Alpe d’huez.
“4Ms stands for music, magic, mojo and mood and we will be hosting a selection of local musicians to add some contemporary edge. Whether you’re planning a poste piste Pimms or a top flight business meeting, 4Ms is the place to do it.”
The £250,000 plus refurbishment has seen all 55 bedrooms completely re-decorated with new mini bars, flat screen TVs, ipod players along with branded bedding and specially selected decorations.
The restaurant has also seen a major makeover with new colours and lighting. The bar and reception has also been refurbished.
Chris Wadley said: “For a couple of months it was like DIY SOS times twenty with painters and plasterers working around the clock on every floor. We had to move mountains of waste and rubble, which is not as easy as it sounds you’re actually at the top of a mountain.
“From the feedback we had from customers and comments posted on hotel websites it was clear everybody thought the location in the French Alps was Absolutely Fabulous but the décor was more Thierry and June. We’ve taken the comments on board to create a bespoke hotel experience which fully lives up to the fantastic surroundings.”
