When Arc 1800 comes alive with the first snowfall and the snow fronts fill with colourful combinations, some places tell the story of the resort even better than others. Starting with the Belambra Hôtel du Golf, the first hotel to be opened here in 1972, at the very start of the Les Arcs adventure.
More than fifty years later, the establishment has lost none of its central role. Right in the heart of Arc 1800, at the foot of the ski lifts, it remains a veritable winter hive. Early-morning skiers, families, international groups, corporate seminars... all converge on this great mountain liner, which fully embraces its 360-degree vocation.
In winter, the hotel employs around 110 people, with three restaurants, a bar, a spa, two swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), a discotheque and a dozen seminar rooms. A small town within a town.
The all-inclusive mountain version
Since Belambra took over the site in 2017, the strategy has been clear: to move upmarket without losing accessibility. Above all, to offer a turnkey winter package inspired by the Club Med model.
«In winter, we offer an all-inclusive package: accommodation, meals, ski passes, lessons... everything is included. And it's a huge hit, especially with foreign customers from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and Belgium.» explains Stéphane Guichet, hotel manager for the last four years, who is currently overseeing the transition to his successor, Mahir Devinck.
Even loyal groups, some of whom have been here for several decades, have adopted this format. At table, holidaymakers can choose between a French-style buffet spread over two floors, a Savoyard restaurant for fondues and raclettes, and a more contemporary brasserie. A wide-ranging offer, designed to meet the intense pace of ski weeks.
As a result, the hotel is regularly fully booked at the height of the season, with an international clientele attracted by the simplicity of the stay and the efficiency of the organisation.
A driving force for the resort in winter
If the’Hôtel du Golf It's also because it has established itself as a key player in Arc 1800. Its central location makes it a natural, almost magnetic point of passage. You drop off your skis here, meet your table mates and sometimes end the day in the wellness area or with a drink.
For Mahir Devinck, a former Club Med employee who has just joined the venture, the potential is obvious. «What really appealed to me here was the combination of a very modern all-inclusive formula, a central location and a resort that really believes in both winter and summer. The hotel must remain a driving force in the area.»
- READ MORE: "Promoting Bourg Saint Maurice - Les Arcs all year round": Laurent Chelle in Le Petit Montagnard
Behind the picture-postcard image, the challenge is also social and economic: to stabilise the teams, extend the operating periods and build employee loyalty. The stated aim is ambitious: to gradually increase the number of months open to almost seven months, by taking on more groups and seminars outside the school holidays.
Without denying its status as a historic address, the’Hôtel du Golf continues its transformation. Belambra intends to consolidate its move upmarket, while strengthening local partnerships and territorial roots. It's a new way of experiencing the mountains, focusing on the overall experience rather than just the overnight stay.
At a time when snow holidays are becoming more selective, when families are looking for simplicity and foreign customers are opting for integrated packages, Arc 1800 ticks a lot of boxes.
EN 
FR