Two of our travelling review team took a trip to check out Club Med’s La Plagne 2100 offering between Christmas and New Year.
Reviewer 1: Beck, avid young skier
Travel and First Impressions (Wednesday):
The journey to Club Med La Plagne 2100 commenced with an on-time, relatively smooth flight from Luton to Geneva. The transfer to the resort was better than expected; on arrival we were greeted by a smiling man holding up a sign with our names on it – i.e. a private taxi rather than a coach (yay!).
We were soon across the Swiss border into France on a journey of about 2 and a half hours. Albeit a tad lengthy, the scenic Alpine views more than compensated for the trip and our driver was pleasant and conversational.
Upon arrival at Club Med La Plagne 2100, nestled in the heart of the French Alps at 2100 metres above sea level, I was ready to stretch my legs and become familiar with the resort.
Accommodation
The rooms are a blend of contemporary design and comfort. I stayed in a Superior room, which boasted a very welcome mountain view. The room was well-equipped with a standard double bed, “compact” bathroom, and essential amenities.
It wasn’t exactly what I’d call luxury standards, but enough to ensure a comfortable stay.
Dining Experience
The culinary offerings at Club Med are wide and varied. There is quite a lot to choose from at the buffet, and it aims to cater to all tastes. We were able to choose from local Savoyard dishes to international cuisine.
With breakfast, lunch and dinner included in the price, the quality of food was actually surprisingly good. Almost all drinks are inclusive, too. A sommelier was on hand with a wine (additional cost to the package) menu selection which some people will like.
Skiing Experience (Thursday to Saturday)
It has to be said that the skiing facilities at La Plagne are world-class. There were few issues with the fluidity of the ski lifts (and this was in school holiday period, too). As a fairly experienced skier, I found the slopes both challenging and exhilarating.
There is a wide selection of pistes on Paradiski (12 green, 135 blue, 77 red, 37 black) although I mainly kept to the blues and reds.
I felt that the two days of instructor-led skiing were beneficial, as the moniteur (Antoine) was very knowledgeable and tailored the experience to the skill levels of the people in the group.
The ski-in/ski-out access made the experience hassle-free. This is a big bonus, as all skiers will know all too well!
It really is a large ski playground, including Les Arcs. The locker room is directly next to the entrance to the slopes, and allocated lockers are easy to get to and from.
Après-Ski and Entertainment: Post-skiing, the resort offered a variety of après-ski activities. I did not have time to visit the indoor spa, as I was too busy skiing most of the day. The evening entertainment, though not overly diverse, was enjoyable and family-friendly. Think French Butlins-esque.
Overall Impression: Club Med La Plagne 2100 is a solid choice for a ski holiday that combines all-inclusive-ease, comfort, and excellent skiing. The package takes away the hassle of planning and ensures a memorable holiday.
Reviewer 2: Digger, family man and intermediate-level skier
Travel and Arrival (Wednesday)
The journey from Luton to Geneva and then to the resort was straightforward. A scenic drive to the resort was particularly stress-free, as I have driven from this airport previously with a hire car and this method saves quite a lot of time.
Also, when you are the driver you can’t really enjoy the sights (especially when concentrating on driving on the “wrong” side of the road!) so that was another plus.
The welcoming staff member at Club Med made the check-in process a breeze and we were provided with the ski locker key, ski pass and bedroom door key (which was a wrist bracelet – rather a convenient idea, I thought).
Room and Facilities
I had a small room on the fifth floor which wasn’t spacious but catered well to my needs. In fact, it was is a model of how to fit the bare necessities into the least space possible!
That said, outside of the bedroom, the facilities at the resort are top-notch – there is a fitness centre, kids’ clubs, an indoor pool (I didn’t go in it, though) and a table tennis table.
Dining
The all-inclusive dining is a real blessing, especially for those with children. The variety and quality of food were really good, with options for even the pickiest eaters. The restaurant staff were attentive and friendly, adding to the pleasant dining experience.
Ski Experience (Thursday to Saturday)
As an intermediate skier who has experienced all slope types including some off-piste, opting to utilise the included ski instruction was actually refreshing. It’s always a good idea to get some analysis of your style with some new views.
Another benefit is the social side, as you can meet new people along the way.The instructor was patient and made the learning process fun for all involved. His Gallic humour added to making it even more memorable!
Entertainment and Activities
The resort offered a good mix of activities. The evening shows on floor 1 were entertaining if not a bit naff, but it’s all good, clean family fun.
The surrounding the bar area was a great place to unwind, talk to new acquaintances and relax. The availability of different activities meant there was always something for everyone. It’s all geared towards families and, for the ones who like to stay up late and dance, there is even a basement-level nightclub.
Conclusion
Club Med La Plagne 2100 is an excellent resort for families and skiers of all levels. The all-inclusive package, combined with the wide range of activities and facilities, provides all the ingredients for a stress-free and enjoyable holiday.
Overall Verdict
Both of us concur that Club Med La Plagne 2100 offers a great-value holiday experience, combining comfort, relaxation, and excellent skiing. The resort caters well to both families and individual travellers, making it a versatile choice for a winter getaway.
One thing that it lacks is the ability to walk from the resort to a classic “ski village” but if you are happy to stay in the resort for the duration of your stay, then this is definitely ideal. That said, there is another resort just out the door and left up the hill that has a few decent restaurants and even a Spar convenience store.