Carlina Residence 4*

As a returning guest at Les Étincelles hotels for the third time, we unfortunately felt a decline in the overall experience. We appreciated being offered an upgrade to a larger room, and the hotel’s location remains excellent—especially for early risers and active skiers.
Positive aspects of the hotel:
The location is outstanding: true ski-in/ski-out access with very easy access to the main slopes.
The rooms are cosy and welcoming. However, sound insulation could be improved, as noise from neighbouring rooms (next door or above) is quite noticeable.
The ski room is practical and easy to use, with heated lockers for equipment and boots. That said, lockers are not secured with a key and there is no visible video surveillance.
The second restaurant offers good alternatives within the half-board option. Guests can choose between starter–main or main–dessert combinations, including traditional Savoyard dishes such as cheese fondue, raclette, and stone grill.
The bar is cosy and offers a nice selection of daily après-ski cocktails.
Points that need improvement:
Food: Breakfast variety is limited compared to previous visits, and both the quality and presentation feel rather basic. For dinner, while the chef clearly makes an effort, we felt that too many ingredients are pre-frozen or preserved, resulting in a lower standard than before. Additionally, items such as eggs or French toast can be ordered at breakfast, but this is not clearly communicated.
Staff: The team is international, so we often switched between French and English, which is not an issue in itself. However, communication between staff members seems inconsistent. Many appear relatively inexperienced in hospitality. While some are extremely friendly and contribute positively to the atmosphere, a few came across as somewhat arrogant. During our stay, there were several mix-ups with transportation requests, dinner reservations, and spa inquiries—issues that could likely have been avoided with clearer internal communication.
Facilities: Housekeeping does an excellent job, and the door hanger system is simple and effective. However, the spa facilities need improvement. Towels are not provided in the spa area; guests are expected to use the single large towel from their room. This is not ideal, especially for sauna use, both from a hygiene perspective and for maintaining the wood. During our stay, we did not see anyone using towels in the sauna. This could easily be improved by providing a steady supply of towels, which would be expected in a 4-star hotel. The hammam feels more like a damp room than a properly functioning steam bath. The pool area is below standard in several respects: chairs were dirty, windows appeared not to have been cleaned for a long time, and the pool itself is basic, with poorly finished lining. The woodwork and ceilings also need refurbishment.
We very much enjoyed our week of skiing, but we will likely choose a different hotel next time in search of a higher-quality experience.