Chalet Marano Restaurant & Spa

We’ve stayed here several times and we love it. Rooms are modern and very comfortable, breakfast is exceptional, skis can be hired from the local shop and delivered/ appeared in our locker on arrival We love the view and ski in/ ski out. Undoubtedly the best accommodation in Isola. We haven’t made it into the spa but it looks fabulous. Highly recommended.

Having to spend a few days on the coast near Montpellier, we needed an overnight stop in the Riviera area en route to Italy. We'd spotted Chalet Marano but figured being closer to the coast meant we could notch up some museums etc in the area. However an hour before getting to the coast hotel, the owner changed the terms and conditions and basically left us high and dry (we don't have much luck in this area). So back online and we remembered Chalet Merano, the prospect of cool mountain air was very tempting so we booked on their excellent website and drove 90 mins from Nice up the Col de la Lombarde. If you like driving it's an awesome road but not too gnarly if you don't (it's very narrow on the other side towards Cuneo but surface is good with passing places). On arrival everything was spot on. Restaurant - as clearly stated on the website - was closed for summer, but excellent and buzzing taverna just down the road (closed Sundays but a few to choose from in the main part of Isola 2000 - Chalet Marano is at the top of town, approx 20 mins walk away). Breakfast buffet is perfection and can be taken on the terrace. Sounds good so far, but what happened next confirms how brilliant this place is and how other hotels would in no way be able to get close; On our first full day I got sick so reception called the doctor as nothing from 7 days pharmacy in town would help. Bernard arrived in 90 mins and diagnosed Covid. Suddenly our 2 days stay would be a week with isolation. Could the hotel accommodate us for then? Would they kick us out? Absolutely not. Offered us a deal on extra dates, sorted out food and breakfast to room. My partner also went down with CV though luckily much more mild symptoms so we ended up here for 10 days. We though the staff's patience would run out at some point but it never did, they were never anything less than efficient, courteous and professional. It's awful getting CV at all but on a holiday which was meant to make up for lost time due to travel restrictions in 2020 and 2021 it was both physically and mentally taxing. However the staff and the quality of the whole building and area made it almost feel like a holiday. I still chuckle at having to isolate in Isola too :)

I will start with the positive in this hotel and that’s the nice beds & clean rooms. Also the interior gives it a nice lodge feel to it. That’s it. The negative part is that The staff in the reception couldn’t answer simple things as: when does the ski lifts close or where can I find the ski school for my child etc. The hostess / manager was very aggressive and unpleasant. We were told a few times that we were to loud !!) also in our room !! Not the case at all. We returned the weekend after and then the restaurant were closed . No explanation-just the staff left for the season (!!) if you want to have a 4 star hotel you are obligated to serve meals ( dinner as well) my guess is that the chef and staff left because of this horrendous hostess. Unfortunately it’s the only decent accommodation in isola.