Lodging

Rates are based on double occupancy during high season (February) with half board: €€€=€125+; €€=€75–€125; €=less than €75.

Grand Hotel Paradiso (0479 07 65 00, fax 0479 07 64 08; €€€; photo left) at Arcs 1800 is the top of the line and recommended by Michelin.

Hotel du Golf (0479 41 43 43; fax 0479 07 34 28; €€€) was the first constructed in Arc 1800 and is still the flagship hotel. Rooms are simple, functional, clean and comfortable with exceptional views. It has a new 400-meter spa and regular entertain-ment. Its restaurant/bar/nightclub draws guests from all over Arc 1800.

Radisson SAS Hotel and HMC Arc 1950 (0479 04 04 85; €€€) are luxury in stone and wood. They have two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments with shops, bars and restaurants plus sauna, swimming pool and fitness center access.

Les Melezes Hotel Club (0479 07 50 50; fax 0479 07 36 26; €€) at Arc 2000 has 140 alike rooms. Watch out for the solo rooms sold to singles “with no supplement.” With this arrangement, you will be sharing your toilet and bath.

L’Aiguille Rouge (0479 07 57 07; fax 0479 07 39 61; €€), also in Arc 2000, seems just as comfortable as the rest. Here the rooms are offered in packages with half-board (drinks included) and six-day lift tickets.

La Cachette (0479 07 70 50; fax 0479 07 74 01; €€) in the more family-oriented Arc 1600 has a fitness center and a child-care center.

Bourg-St-Maurice at the base of the funicular has an excellent collection of hotels with up to two stars at bargain prices.

Apartments, condominiums, flats
Les Arcs is oriented more toward apartments than hotels; there are thousands more apartments. An apartment is a better bargain if you’re willing to do without the amenities of a hotel. Despite some horror stories about tiny French apartments, there is enough room unless you try to pack four people into one studio. There are four places you can stay in Les Arcs, including Arc 1600, 1800, 1950, 2000, and. Bourg-St. Maurice. The best way to go is with a package (includes seven nights and a six-day lift pass). Per-person prices based on two sharing a small apartment are approximately €190 during low season in January, €200 during February and €250 during Christmas.

Not included in these prices is the €10 booking fee (per reservation) and the daily residence tax. You can make plans by calling the Booking Service at 0479 07 68 00 (fax: 0479 07 68 99) or emailing reservations@lesarcs.com.

In Les Arc 1950, Le Hameau du Glacier & Refuge du Montagnards has condos with hotel service and many of the village amenities.