Le Balcon des Ecrins
Ski-to-door comfort with mountain views over Réallon
About this hotel
The pitch here is simple: skis go on at the door, and the first run starts before the cold has a chance to settle in. Réallon's small scale means the walk from hotel to lift stays short, and Le Balcon des Ecrins leans into that with a dedicated ski storage room for kit that would otherwise clutter a hallway. Rooms lean toward mountain views over the valley, with private bathrooms and family rooms sized for a full ski trip's worth of gear. The spa and wellness centre becomes the natural stop once the lifts close, and a seasonal outdoor pool adds another option on milder days. Downstairs, the restaurant runs French cuisine for lunch and dinner, a continental buffet breakfast to start the day, and outdoor seating with barbecue facilities for anyone who wants dinner on the terrace instead. Les Demoiselles Coiffées, the well-known rock formations near Serre-Ponçon, sit about 20 km away for a half-day off the slopes.
- Ski-to-door access
- Spa & wellness centre
- Seasonal outdoor pool
- Family rooms & kids' play area
Our take
This suits families and skiers who want the mountain right outside the door and are happy to trade a big resort's après-ski scene for a quieter one. The ski storage room and mountain-view rooms do the most work here, and the kids' play area and games room take pressure off rainy afternoons. Travelers chasing nightlife or a large connected ski domain should look at bigger Écrins-area resorts instead, since Réallon stays deliberately small.
- Use the ski storage room every evening, it keeps boots and skis dry and ready for an early first lift.
- Book a mountain-view room if the outlook matters to you, standard rooms face the car park side instead.
- Ask about the kids' play area and games room on arrival, useful backup for a low-visibility or rest day.
Why we love it
- Ski-to-door access straight from the hotel
- A dedicated ski storage room for gear
- Mountain-view rooms over the Réallon valley
- A spa to thaw out after skiing
Why guests love itSkis went on right at the hotel door most mornings, which mattered more than we expected in a village this small, since there is no shuttle to wait for. The ski storage room kept boots dry overnight, and the spa became the default stop once the lifts shut for the day. Dinner in the hotel's restaurant was easier than hunting for a table in Réallon itself, which has few options of its own. Not a big resort experience, but everything needed was inside the same building.