The Solana Hotel in Arinsal looks welcoming and cosey. It’s ideal for families and a bus stops outside every 15 to 20 minutes to take you to the stunning slopes. At a 3 star class the hotel provides an indoor pool, steam and sauna, 24 hour reception, restaurant, lounge with TV bar and is available on a half or full board basis. I checked the holiday out leaving the 6th of January 2007 and returning on the 13th on a half board basis, based on 2 people sharing leaving from London Gatwick and it was just £261. Just an idea, but have a look for yourself at www.thomascook.com.

We booked the Ferme du Lavay through Total Ski who run a lot of fully catered holidays. I must admit, this was my favourite part – having a chef cook breakfast, a four course evening meal and a cake in the afternoon every day. That’s right, no cooling on this holiday! Since the chalet was so large and there were 17 guests staying at the time we also had a cooking assistant and a cleaner, all staff worked for Total Ski.

Chalet

The chalet was just as you would imagine accommodation in the Alps to be, it looked like a wooden cabin from the outside and was snug and cosy inside. Ferme du Lavay can sleep up to 24 people therefore you can get a gist of how large this chalet is. There are three floors in total, the ground floor with three bedrooms, the middle floor with a huge lounge area, kitchen, dining area, two smaller bedrooms and a bathroom for these two rooms to share. The entrance to the chalets is also on the middle floor. The top floor consists of three larger bedrooms all with a double bed and at least one single bed.

Below is a name and description of each bedroom:

Ground Floor

Room 1:Tahoe – Twin bedroom with en-suite
Room 2: Steamboat – Double bedroom with en-suite
Room 3: Whistler – Family room with a double bed, 2 bunk-beds, kitchen area and en-suite

First Floor

Room 4: Mammoth – Double bedroom
Room 5: Heavenly – Twin bedroom
Shared bathroom

Second Floor

Room 6: Aspen – Double room with two single beds and en-suite
Room 7: Vail – Double room with single bed and en-suite
Room 8: Snowbird – Double room with single bed and en-suite

The middle floor excluding the bedrooms had recently been refurbished and it was gorgeous. We were a little disappointed with some of the bedrooms and bathrooms which also need a bit of a lift but overall it was lovely accommodation.

Food and Drink

If you like your food and you like a bit of skiing I think you’ll probably enjoy staying at the Ferme du Lavay. Each morning breakfast is served between 8 and 9 and you have the choice of cereal, croissants and other pastries, scrambles eggs and bacon, bread with jams and marmalades, tea, coffee, fruit juices. To be honest I thought it was amazing! Then off you go for an exhausting day on the slopes, get a bite to eat on the mountain, then on your return to the chalet a delicious cake will have been prepared and tea and coffee will be on the side.

Quick catnap and a shower and you’re ready for dinner! First up is canapés, then up at the table for a starter, main course and dessert and as much wine as you can get down.

Below is some of the food we enjoyed during our stay:

Starters

Soup and bread
Prawn salads

Main Courses

Duck
Chicken stuffed with avocado, stilton and taglaitele
Salmon risotto
Pork
Beef
Most dishes were served with vegetables

Desserts

Trifle
Summer berries pot with cream
Apple strudel

Ferme du Lavay and Les Gets Gallery