At the very end of the Belleville valley, Val Thorens is a high-altitude resort built for skiing, surrounded by glaciers; lower down, Les Menuires stretches out as far as Reberty. The air cools very quickly as soon as the sun drops behind the ridges. You can swim in warm water in the spas of the hotels on the Place de l'Église, in the Village Montana residences and in the hotels of Reberty. I've selected 13 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Le Val Thorens, a Beaumier hotel (8.8/10).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
13 places shown
The pool. Indoor pool advertised as heated, with a view of the slopes.
Hotels.com gives 8.6/10 from 132 reviews. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask about the pool hours when you arrive: they often follow the spa's.
The pool. Indoor pool extending into an outdoor pool, advertised as heated to 30 °C, with a mountain view.
On Staycation, the hotel scores 9.3/10; the visible reviews praise the hotel and staff without mentioning the water. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The outdoor pool is surrounded by snow: bring a bathrobe for the walk over.
The pool. Covered indoor pool advertised as heated, open access, with a counter-current swim system; jacuzzi in the spa.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
One guest describes a good-sized pool fitted with a counter-current swim jet. Booking.com gives 8.1/10 (191 reviews) for the hotel and 8.7/10 (210 reviews) for the residence. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool hours are posted on site: check them as soon as you arrive.
The pool. Indoor pool advertised as heated, presented as a temperate swimming area, with a sauna and hammam.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Le Fitz Roy and Le Val Thorens are next door to each other: compare the two pools before you choose.
The pool. Indoor pool and whirlpool bath; the hotel presents its Aqua Pashmina area as a place of warm water and thermal contrast.
The hot tub. Whirlpool bath in the spa.
Hotels.com gives 9.6/10 from 48 reviews. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The spa covers 450 m²: book early if you'd like to add a treatment.
The pool. Indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
Hotels.com gives 9.0/10 from 89 reviews. One guest regrets not having had time to make the most of it. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Keep a slot free at the end of the day: it's the quietest time for a swim.
The pool. Indoor pool advertised as heated, open access. The temperature isn't given.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The residence is part of the Village Montana: ask whether guests also have access to the village's other facilities.
The pool. The residence's indoor pool, with a sauna and hammam. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask the owner about the residence pool's opening hours.
The pool. Indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
One guest talks of a good pool, without mentioning the temperature. Hotels.com gives 8.4/10 from 17 reviews.
Guide's tip. Ask reception about the family-only time slots.
The pool. Indoor-outdoor pool advertised as heated, facing the Cime Caron, within a 1,000 m² spa.
On Booking.com, the rating is 8.5/10 from 235 reviews. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The pool connects to the outside: swim out to face the peaks, then come back into the warm.
The pool. Indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and spa. Heating isn't specified.
The hot tub. Jacuzzi in the spa.
Guests mostly talk about the sauna, whose free access ends at 4 pm; one found it out of order. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The sauna is charged after 4 pm: make the most of it in the early afternoon.
The pool. Two indoor pools according to the description. Heating isn't specified.
Booking.com gives 8.9/10 from 199 reviews. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which of the two pools is reserved for adults, if either is.
The pool. Indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
Hotels.com gives 9.0/10 from 96 reviews. I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. If warm water matters to you, ask the hotel about the pool temperature.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Le Val Thorens, a Beaumier hotel (Hotel), with 8.8/10 (242 reviews · Booking.com). Next come Ours Blanc Hotel & Spa (8.8/10) and Le Chalet du Mont Vallon Spa Resort (8.8/10).
None of the places selected in Val Thorens and Les Menuires clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Le Val Thorens, a Beaumier hotel, Ours Blanc Hotel & Spa and Le Chalet du Mont Vallon Spa Resort have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 30 °C at Ours Blanc Hotel & Spa. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Le Chalet du Mont Vallon Spa Resort, Hôtel Pashmina Le Refuge and Résidence Club MMV Le Cœur des Loges also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Résidence Les Balcons de Val Thorens & Spa | Residence with a pool and spa in the heart of the resort. | 7,9/10 | Rating too low |
| Le Hameau du Kashmir | Hotel with a spa listed among the places with a pool. | 7,5/10 | Rating too low |
Sources: Booking.com.
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