 Julian Lewis is looking for a belated honeymoon on skis. Can we point him in the right direction?
Dear Travel Clinic,
I have a confession to make: when my wife and I got married three years ago my business was struggling and we couldn’t afford to go on honeymoon! Our anniversary is coming up in December, and the business is thriving, so I’d love to whisk her away for a Christmas honeymoon in a romantic ski resort, money no object. I’ve heard that there is very good skiing in the Pyrenees, is that true? And where is the most romantic, luxurious place to take my lovely wife?
Julian Lewis, Kent
Dear Julian,
If you’re looking for world class skiing, luxury and romance, there is only one place to go. Baqueira-Beret in the Pyrenees is favoured by the Spanish Royal Family, no less, who keep a home here and can be seen around the resort most weekends during the season, and it’s easy to see why. The resort has 30 lifts, and 104km of piste. The skiing suits all standards, with enough easy cruising terrain for beginners, lots of steeper slopes for advanced intermediates, and plenty of opportunities for off-piste adventures.
Baqueira is near the French border, and the best way to get there is to fly into Toulouse, about two hours’ drive away. British Airways fly from Gatwick from around £177.50 return per person during the festive season. Hiring a car once you get there is probably the best option, and to give yourself as much freedom as possible when you’re in the mountains. From Toulouse take the Autoroute west and exit at Montrejeau, then follow signs to St. Beat and Val d’Arán.
As it’s such an upmarket resort, Baqueira and nearby Val d’Aran have a number of high-end hotels that are designed to give you the most luxurious experience possible. La Pleta is a boutique hotel and spa with 58 rooms and 12 suites. On-site amenities include an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a Turkish bath and sauna, a Jacuzzi, a solarium and an exceptional restaurant featuring a specialized menu of Arán Valley cuisine. Ski facilities are excellent, including an in-house ski guide, ski rental, and an overnight boot-drying service.
You could choose to combine skiing with the ultimate in relaxation, as the spa has a variety of spa packages available, running from two to six days. Alternatively, if that sounds like too much time indoors, try a morning ski preparation massage, designed to prepare and warm up your legs by stimulating blood circulation, providing the energy you need to get maximum enjoyment out of your skiing.
A standard room at La Pleta, including a plush bed, comfortable duvet covers, goose down pillows, complete bathroom, Molton Brown toiletries, a minibar and DVD player costs from €242 per night over the Christmas period. At the other end of the scale, the Occitania Suite Presidential runs over two floors. The first floor features a guest bathroom, a lounge area with dining table and a flat screen TV and DVD player for relaxation. The rustic stairwell leads up to the large bedroom and master bathroom. A glass wall and an infinity bed offer uninterrupted views of the mountains. This suite will set you back €715 per night, but there are lower-cost suite options as well.
The four-star Eira Style Hotel is a small but comfortable establishment, offering guests an unbeatable location. The emphasis is on blending modern and classic elements, and each guestroom has its own character. There are four double rooms and four duplex style junior suites available. Living areas feature a DVD and CD player, internet connection, plasma TV, telephone, minibar, safe and other amenities. Handily, the hotel also has a garage so your car doesn’t get frozen! A double room costs from €190.80 per night over Christmas.
Have a wonderful honeymoon, and feliz navidad to you both.
www.baqueira.es
www.britishairways.com
www.lapleta.com
www.eirahotel.com
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