Merano Trip

Cheap hotel close to bus stop and right next to slopes, however staff can be rude and dismissive if you do not speak Italian, I also saw some smoking inside the property.

The location of this property was ideal as we were there to watch our son compete at the Special Olympics Worlds! We were within walking distance to the ski hill, restaurants and many shops. Didn't even have to use our rental as it was safely parked in the underground parking through the hotel. The only thing better than the location was the staff!!! My bad if i spell names wrong but Luka from the afternoon shift was amazing. He set us up with reservations for dinners at places that were so amazing, that i can't thank him enough. If you get the opportunity to go to Sestriere and get to have the privilege to stay at this hotel, do it!

The hotel has a very interesting layout. It was buiilt in 1937 and is similar to the Gugenheim museum in NY, in a sense that the rooms are arranged around a spiral corridor that goes up from the first floor all the way to the 8th. Advantages: the breakfast was very good, a lot to choose from. The hotel is very close to ski lifts - about five minutes drive and the hotel provides a shuttle bus. It is also a 2 minute walk to the center of the little town of Sauze d'Oulx where shops, restaurants and pubs are. There is a ski/snowboard rental on hotel premises (in the basement) with efficient with an efficient employee (thanks Randy). There are also lockers to keep the skiing equipment. Disadvantages: The hotel is really overpriced in the winter. I'm not sure why they call themselves VIP, as the hotel and the rooms are pretty basic. Furthermore, the hotel does not have its own swimming pool, but rather the spa complex is in a separate building next door, a short walk across the parking lot. We got two vouchers for free entrance, but we were there for five days. The entrance to the pool and spa are around 18 euros per person per day. The hotel does not have landline telephones between the rooms, nor do rooms have any kettle to make tea. The two elevators constantly malfunctioned. To summarize - not a VIP hotel, probably something like 3 stars, but the stay was still very enjoyable due to the hotel's location, nice staff, great skiing and the general athmosphere.