Le Balcon des Ecrins
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.