Jacaranda

Chalets Jacaranda, Jasmine and Juniper are spread across the top two floors of the delightfully retro three-star Résidence le Grizny. Jacaranda is on the first floor, next door to Jasmine.

The building is unusually spacious and solid, having been built before Val d’Isère’s narrow valley started running out of space. And its position is really good: the village centre is a leisurely four minutes’ walk away, the ski buses stop nearby, and it is possible to ski home. Although the front door is conveniently close to the main road, Jacaranda is at the other end of the building, by the silent forests on the slopes of Solaise.

From the outside the building looks a bit like a municipal library, and inside the technicolour bathrooms have become a topic of conversation, but if you aren't particularly worried by a daffodil bath or bidet, Jacaranda's two bedrooms and sitting-dining room offer extraordinary value for money for four friends or a family in their own little chalet, enjoying the full YSE service and famous food.