Hotel Rive in Bardonecchia

Ski holiday booked with 3 others for the second week of March. Digs for the week is the proudly claimed 4 star Hotel Rive situated at the foot of the snow-covered slopes in Bardonecchia, Italy. First impressions, nice building but dig deeper, and you'll find that it was built in 2010, but it looks as though the inside has taken a trip back to the late 70s, early 80s. Key entry to your room when swiped across a panel, which then buzzes the door lock to open..very old school. Having selected half board, breakfast has a good selection but bring in a coffee machine engineer instead of trying to fix it yourself - the dining area could do with another 2 coffee machines placed away from the self service food area; and finally had a proper brew at breakfast on our final day. Evening meal is good; some reviews have slated the menu, but you do have the choice of a light buffet before receiving a pre-ordered menu that you select the previous evening. The dining area is good but could do with more lighting in some areas as it seems to be a little 'dark'. Staff are attentive and appreciate you trying the local tongue when asking for beverages or drinks, but speak good English if you don't know Italian. The rooms look spacious; there were 2 of us sharing a room, but had enough beds to sleep 4 if needed. The bathroom is ok, but sloppy attention to detail and black mould visible within the shower cubicle is a little off-putting. And a note to parents, not those of British origin - there are signs within the corridors that ask guests to be mindful and quiet when transiting through the corridors, some people have had a tiring day on the slopes, and may wish to get an early night - hearing kids running up and down the corridors and shouting in Italian at each other at 2330 is a little bit out of order. The hotel offers easy access to Campo Smith 4 ski lift which will take you on your first leg up to the snow covered plateau, from there you can decide your day as to where you ski / snowboard next. In and around the hotel are the various ski and snowboarding schools, together with various shops that will quite easily make you part with your well earned Euros if you are wanting to take something back to your country of origin; seeing as I'd wiped out numerous times on my backside, I decided to pick up a pair of crash pants - didn't expect to pay €60 but they did the job. If you are looking for availability and access to the slopes, Rive will provide that, but it is in no shape or form hitting the 4 star mark.

Hotel itself is warm and welcoming. Building is a bit functional but ticks all the boxes. Location right at the nursery and main lift up to ski area. Rooms are spacious and warm, cleaned daily and plenty of hot water - bath too! Spa area is good, small pool, 2 sauna, steam room and an infra red room. Free Mon-Thurs. Samll gym area too at a charge. Bar area was small, but good to share war stories from the slopes. Hotel is handy for 2 main apres bars, but a 1000m walk into the small town of Bardo. A few more bars and restaurants there. Enough bars to have a fair few drinks in - but Bardo is not a party town. The Alpine Coaster is a laugh- just opposite at €6 per ride! Ski hire shop in same building as hotel. The food is amazing. Absolutely superb dinners with local cuisine that is simply fantastic. You have an extensive salad bar, a first and second course that you choose the day before followed by a dessert buffet. Cant fault the restaurant, the kitchen, or the waiting staff - superb. All in all, the place exceeded my expectations and I would return. Bardo is a good resort, smaller than its neighbours in Sauze and Sestriere, but more family friendly.

Lovely hotel, great staff and a good selection of food. We were half board. We had a lovely large room with nice decor, large balcony, fridge, bath with shower over. My husband has Coeliac disease and needs to be gluten free. Speciial mention to Rocco in the restaurant who made sure he had a selection of food to choose from that the chef adapted to be gluten free. (They appreciate notice if you have special requirements). We were given a ski locker in the basement a short walf from the Smith 4 man lift opposite the hotel. Our only issue was the large number of children there and the accompanying noise. We weren't expecting this in January. There were families at breakfast and dinner with phones on loudspeaker having conversations and entertaining children, too noisy for is. We did move tables , on request, to avoid this.

The hotel is only over an hour from Torino and is situated close to Camp Smith With two bars and the chair lift. The view of the snow capped mountains from the front and back of the hotel are really nice together with a river that runs right in front of the hotel. The river was full of snow with the odd rock / vegetation peeping through. Our room was very clean and spacious with plenty of space to hang clothing and storage for boots and more. The staff were very friendly and helpful and food was plentiful during the restaurant opening hours. There are lockers available for storing skis and boots. The Spa which consisted of a reasonably sized pool, three Saunas, a plunge pool, a Hammam (steam room) and an Iglo was available for our use through the tour company between Monday and Thursday, however a fee of 25 Euros is charged for Fri - Sun.

The rooms are very comfortable. We stayed in the triple room with a balcony, and it was much larger and more spacious than it looked in the photos - in reality, the room was significantly bigger than expected. The location is perfect. There is a ski storage locker on floor -1, and on the same floor there is also a ski rental shop. In short, everything you need to save time on skiing and avoid walking around in ski boots. The hotel staff were extremely kind and helpful, responded to every request, and always welcomed us with a smile. It was a very pleasant experience, and I highly recommend this hotel.

We was extremely surprised how lovely this hotel was. As soon as we arrived we are greeted with friendliness. Hotel is in excellent location, literally a minute from the slopes, the ski lockers were super and great location. The rooms themselves were very spacious with a big balcony overlooking the beautiful mountains, With large windows, shower and bath. Always cleaned everyday. The water was always hot and the heating was perfect. The pool and sauna rooms were better than we imagine them to be. In the restaurant the waiters and waitresses couldn't do more to help as I needed gluten-free food. I got my own basket of goodies which was coeliac safe. It was a set menu with a buffet to start, none of us went hungry. It definitely helped reading the reviews on here with the little extra tips,eg you have to pay £25 on the weekend to use the pool area, and where to find the lockers, food but we couldn't fault it. It was very peaceful and very relaxing, no noise at night time. I would also recommend after skiing (which was amazing) do to some of the walks around the mountains as we had lots of snow and it was stunning. We went over Christmas and it was busy but the hotel didn't feel crowded. Definitely would stay again.

The hotel is situated in a beautiful location. The hotel staff is so welcoming, courteous and helpful. We had some extra requests which were taken care of quickly. The room was very clean and spacious and the food delicious. I definitely recommend.

The sauna, Turkish bath, and pool area was amazing! It’s inside and large enough that the kids and adults are kept happy. There’s waterfalls and even a section of current for doing stationary laps! Don’t forget that bathing caps are a requirement in Italy. Our room was very spacious even with three beds, no feeling of cramming, and it was wonderful to have a sunny balcony

Hotel very staff polite , great atmosphere, Yasmin member staff very polite , helpful , Ana the masseuse was brilliant, and Antonella very polite and professional and helpful .. I would 100% recommend this hotel and massage.definitely worth the money