Hotel Cristallo

This hotel lives off only two things (1) Location (2) The Staff. It’s a weak 3 star hotel that is tatty and tired. Rooms, carpets, decor are all threadbare and careworn and it has the feel of half empty / soulless place, no bar etc. I imagine it was once, rather nice but those days are long gone. The staff were helpful beyond reason and breakfast buffet was quite good. If you are on a skimpy budget, maybe but beware it’s not value for money even at these prices.

I had a lovely experience staying at Hotel Cristallo and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sestriere. The highlight of my stay was definitely the staff. Luca at reception went above and beyond, helping me order food from a local restaurant for delivery, fixing an issue with the old plugs in the room (which required a special adaptor), and even providing a kettle with tea and cups to make my stay more comfortable. Oksana, who served breakfast, was always cheerful and made sure everything was set up perfectly. The breakfast itself was a treat, with a great selection of pastries, yogurt, cereals, fresh fruit, juices, and delicious coffee on request. The hotel's location is ideal—just a short walk with some steps down to the nearest ski lift, making it very convenient for skiers. While the rooms are a bit dated, they were exceptionally clean, and housekeeping did a great job with fresh towels daily and changing the sheets after the third day. The only downside was the ski storage room, which lacked lockers, so we had to bring our skis and boots back to the room, but it wasn’t a huge inconvenience. Overall, if I ever return to Sestriere, I would definitely choose to stay at Hotel Cristallo again. A great place with outstanding staff and a perfect location!

Starting with the good bits. The location is perfect, a short walk across the road to the main chair lift. The room was large, clean, beds also large and comfortable. There is a mini bar fridge in the room, so room to store a few beers. Some 4* touches with razors, shampoo provided. Staff are friendly and service is good. Now for the bad points: The food is not good. Breakfast is OK, but the hot option is always streaky bacon swimming in oil, processed sausages and overcooked scrambled egg. Dinner is however about the worst we've experienced. Appetiser from a cold buffet, a starter, main corse which you select from two options at breatfast, and a desert. Food arrives served on cold plates luke warm at best. The quality is very poor. Pork belly with virtually no pork ( a 5mm slither surrounded each side by 50mm fat ), tough over cooked meat ( with the exeption of the saturday steak slices ), even the pasta is overcooked and chewy. Avoid the baked pasta with Sardines, simply inedible. The bar area is very unwelcoming and uncomfortable. Such a shame for a great location.

Nice hotel all round, clean and comfortable (tho a bit dated?) Rooms are bigger than average and are cleaned, beds made, towels replaced - daily. Great location to slopes and rest of resort, being in the main drag. Nice and quiet. Fine shower area with plentiful hot water, with good pressure. Lift to all floors. 4pm tea and cakes. Pleasant and understanding staff. Waiter service in restaurant, buffet breakfast and dessert. Spa included (but we didn't use, so cant comment). A large bar area, though very limited draught beers, with TV. Food was our main issue, not quality or quantity, but just not to our taste, with weird (to us) choices ie sardine pasta/liver ragu?! WiFi (free) could be quicker, as slow much of the time. All in all a very reasonable experience, except food.

Location – brilliant, just across the road to the ski slopes, chairlifts etc. Rooms – very clean, comfy beds, good shower, we had a mountain view which was great. I had read other reviews about being noisy traffic at the front if the window was open. It was quite hot in the room so I turned the heating thermostat off and the room temperature was then fine and no need to open the window unless we wanted to. It is in the centre of Sestriere near to all the shops, bars etc. Food – absolutely excellent, it far exceeded all of our expectations. We had a four course meal every night, a 7+ course Gala Christmas meal Prosecco and an excellent buffet breakfast hot/cold, cereal, toast, pastries, cakes, it was extensive. There is a ski and boot room in the hotel, very convenient. We used the sauna and steam room, again excellent, there is also a gym and jacuzzi. Afternoon tea and biscuits was a lovely surprise and again delicious and what was needed after a day skiing. Staff – so so helpful at all times, welcoming, nothing was too much trouble. We really couldn’t fault anything, the hotel staff, the food, the accommodation, the extras, it was more than we had hoped for, and we would highly recommend.

The hotel's location is surely the best in Sestriere, just across the street from the most useful chairlift. All the shops (pedestrian area) are a couple of minutes walk away. The rooms are comfortable, well equipped & in good condition. The restaurant serves very fine dinners and, even in covid times, a good (pre-plated) breakfast. Parking is inside a very secure metal caged area within an underground carpark 100m away. Prices are reasonable. Staff are great & helpful.