Chalet Marano Restaurant & Spa

Location: The hotel is nestled in the picturesque mountains of Isola 2000, offering breathtaking views and a serene atmosphere. Its ski-in, ski-out location is perfect for winter sports enthusiasts, providing easy access to the slopes.

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 :)