I had the misfortune of enduring my New Year at this hotel. I was alternately frozen (no heating in the rooms), robbed (charged 14 euros for a bought-in hamburger), frozen again (ice-cold water in the shower) and, throughout my stay, verbally abused by an owner who should have been running a concentration camp. I had very fond memories of the Val Cenis, having skied here three times and even visited in the summer over the pass into Susa in Italy. I was bitterly disappointed by my experience at the Chalet Hotel Nanook. The place is a disgrace, and a serious handicap for a valley that until this year held a special place in my heart. Really, do not book into this hotel.

I made the mistake of booking this hotel 'blind' through the net. I wasn't aware of this review system when I did. More's the pity. I would never have gone. Awful food, really tatty bedrooms, heating turned off most of the day and the owner a reallly unpleasant and unfriendly man.My partner and I left early and were refused compensation, being told that we would have to claim through the UK company. This, White Bear UK Ltd, turned out to have been dissolved in 2006, so in my book that amounts to fraud. I love the Val Cenis and have skied here often, but am almost put off going again after this really awful experience. Christmas ruined and New Year spent not ski-ing but seeing solicitors in the UK. Do not go to this hotel. Ever.