Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve racked our brains to compile a list of all the questions that we get asked most frequently. You’ll also find more information on our website about travelling with children, pets in Chamonix and general information about Chamonix. If your question isn’t answered here, contact us:
By phone: +44 (0) 203 384 1801 or email: info@chamonixallyear.com
Searching for accommodation
Are the prices and availability shown on your website up-to-date?
Do you offer flexibility on arrival dates or do I have to arrive at the weekend?
What if my dates differ from those shown on the search results?
Where are your properties located in Chamonix?
Are there any properties by the lifts?
Making a booking
Can I hold the accommodation for my dates?
How do I book?
What are your booking terms and conditions?
How do I make payment?
How do I pay the deposit?
How do I pay the balance?
Do you send reminders for the balance payment?
Is it safe to pay online?
Are there any fees for paying by card or bank transfer?
How do I make a bank transfer?
Is there a discount for repeat customers?
Do I get any other discounts with Chamonix All Year?
How can I tell you about my special requirements?
What’s included in the rental price?
Do you take a damage deposit?
How much is the damage deposit for my booking?
Can I book a cot / high chair / stair gate?
Can we bring our pet?
Preparing for your arrival in Chamonix
Do I need a visa?
Can you provide proof of my booking to support my visa application?
Do I need insurance?
How do I get to the property?
How do I pick up the keys?
What are your check-in/check-out times?
What is early check-in / late check-out?
Is there anywhere I can leave my bags?
What happens if I arrive after 9pm?
Will linen be provided in the accommodation?
Why do you need our bed make-up before we arrive?
If we stay for 2 weeks or more do we get extra linen?
Can I book additional cleaning during my holiday?
What do I have to do on check-out?
Do I have to clean the property at the end of my stay?
Your accommodation
Will there be any basic supplies left in the property?
Will my accommodation have wifi / internet access?
Will my accommodation have parking?
Are there laundry facilities at my accommodation?
Are there supermarkets, shops and bars nearby my accommodation?
Can we smoke in our accommodation?
Do you offer catered accommodation?
Where can I see reviews of the accommodation?
More about Chamonix All Year
Where can I see reviews of Chamonix All Year?
What languages do the Resort Team speak?
Searching for accommodation
Are the prices and availability shown on your website up-to-date?
Yes, our website shows real-time, live availability and the latest prices which are synchronised with our reservations system.
Do you offer flexibility on arrival dates or do I have to arrive at the weekend?
We have properties that do change over on a Saturday and Sunday, but due to popular demand we now have lots of our properties that are available for short stays or week day arrivals. When you search from the homepage or in the blue box on the right hand side of your page, the results will include all of these properties if they are available.
If you are flexible with your holiday dates always select ‘+/- days’ in the search box as you will get more options and perhaps a better deal! Especially during inter-season and less busy periods we are happy to be flexible with our holiday changeover days. With flexible dates, you can make the most of the cheaper flight options with the airlines too.
What if my dates differ from those shown on the search results?
If you have completed your search and you still haven’t found any properties that suit your dates, then contact us and we will search for you and send you the options available.
Where are your properties located in Chamonix?
We offer accommodation along the length of the Chamonix valley from Argentière, Les Praz, Chamonix centre and right down to Les Houches, which means there’s something for everyone – whether you want to be in the thick of it in Chamonix town centre or in the smaller village of Argentière. You can filter your accommodation search by area if you already know where you’d like to be.
Are there any properties by the lifts?
Chamonix as a resort does not have many ski-in / ski-out options, but we do have apartments and chalets which are close to the lifts. When you’ve searched for your dates, you have filter options down the left hand side of the results, including one for “Walking distance to ski lifts”.
Making a booking
Can I hold the accommodation for my dates?
Unfortunately, we are not able to place any of our properties on hold. Where you see that a booking is “provisional” on our availability system, it usually just means that we are waiting to receive the deposit by bank transfer.
How do I book?
You can book online via our secure booking system – once you’ve found the property that you want, go to the “availability and booking” section to start the booking process. If you’d prefer, you can also call and make your booking over the phone on +44 (0) 203 384 1801. We require 25% of the accommodation booking price as a deposit within 7 days and the remaining 75% balance 6 weeks before you arrive. If your holiday starts within 6 weeks then full payment is due.
What are your booking terms and conditions?
These are detailed on our dedicated T&Cs page. You will also get the chance to read and agree to these terms and conditions when you are going through the booking process.
How do I make payment?
We accept payments in euros and pounds sterling. Due to the payment systems we have set up, from 26th August 2020 our guests can pay
- In euros by bank card online
- In pounds sterling by bank card over the phone
- In euros or pounds sterling via bank transfer
We are not able to take payment by American Express. If paying by bank transfer please remember to use your accommodation booking reference number as the payment reference so that we can track your payment, and ensure you send the money to the correct bank account as per our emails to you.
You can use different methods to pay for the deposit and the balance or, when you pay the deposit, you can opt to allow us to use the same card details, which will then be held securely in our system and used to process the balance when it is due 6 weeks before your stay. Each time we receive a payment from you we will send you confirmation that we have received the funds.
How do I pay the deposit?
You can pay by bank transfer or card, please see details above “How do I make payment?”. We require 25% as the deposit. If you opt to pay by bank transfer and we don’t receive the payment within 7 days, we will endeavour to contact you but after an additional 24 hours we may have to cancel your booking.
If you pay by card, you can tick a box on the booking form which will allow us to use the same card details, held securely in our system, automatically when your balance is due.
How do I pay the balance?
You can pay by bank transfer or card, please see details above “How do I make payment?”. Your booking confirmation will include the date that the remaining 75% balance payment is due. If you haven’t already ticked the box to authorise us to process your card payment automatically, then we will send you an email with a payment link to allow you to pay securely online. This email will also contain information on how to pay by bank transfer. If paying by bank transfer we ask that you make payment before the due date.
Do you send reminders for the balance payment?
If we haven’t received your balance payment by the due date specified on your booking confirmation (6 weeks before you arrive), then we will email you to request that you make payment by bank transfer or card payment.
Is it safe to pay online?
Our online booking system is secured by an https connection so that all of your details will be safe. Once you enter your card details, they are masked by the system so that even the team managing your booking can’t see them, and we can only reuse them for your balance payment if you have authorised us to do so.
Are there any fees for paying by card or by bank transfer?
Thanks to European legislation changes in 2018, we do not charge any fees for paying by card. We also do not charge any fees if you choose to pay by bank transfer, but your own bank may charge you and you should opt to pay these charges at your end so that we receive the full payment amount due.
How do I make a bank transfer?
When you receive your booking summary, you will receive an email with our bank account details so that you can make payment into our account. Please also ensure that you opt to pay any bank charges which may be incurred by bank transfer so that we receive the correct payment into our account. Include your accommodation booking reference number in the payment reference too so that we can track and confirm with you when we have received it.
If you have made a provisional booking and we haven’t received the payment within 7 days, we will endeavour to contact you but after an additional 24 hours we may have to cancel your booking.
Is there a discount for repeat customers?
We are very pleased that you are already thinking of coming back to stay with Chamonix All Year! We would like to offer you a 5% discount on your accommodation booking as a repeat customer – you will receive a voucher code in an email after your departure which you can redeem on your next booking. (These discounts are subject to availability and not available in conjunction with other offers and discounts.)
Do I get any other discounts with Chamonix All Year?
All our valued customers are invited to join our exclusive loyalty programme, myCAY, which gets more rewarding the longer you’re with us. Once you have booked to stay with us, as a valued guest you can join to unlock a host of benefits and rewards, including money can’t buy services, discount exclusives and the best of Chamonix All Year for all the family and friends to enjoy too. We’ll send you more info on this each time you book with us.
As a valued customer we are pleased to offer our guests some great discounts on early bird lift passes, ski hire and more. We will also provide you with tourist guest cards on arrival at the accommodation which give you free transport on local buses and trains as well as other local discounts.
How can I tell you about my special requirements?
You can add these in the booking “comments” when you make your accommodation booking or contact us and we will make a note of any special requirements on your booking notes.
What’s included in the rental price?
Accommodation rates include one full set of bed linen & towels for guests, all utilities and end of stay clean (see “Do I have to clean the property at the end of my stay?”). When you search for your dates and enter the number of adults in your party, the price shown will also include local tourist tax and tourist guest cards which give you free transport on local buses and trains as well as other local discounts, so the price you see before confirming is the final price.
Do you take a damage deposit?
As security for damages, we will pre-authorise a bank card between 10 days and a week before you arrive in Chamonix. This will be automatically released 28 days after the date it is authorised and only once the accommodation has been checked after your departure. If you would like the authorisation cancelled sooner than this automatic release then please contact us after your departure. Please see our full T&Cs for details.
How much is the damage deposit for my booking?
Damage deposits vary from property to property, but you can find the amount when you book using the online booking form and on the booking confirmation which is emailed to you when we receive your first payment.
Can I book a cot / high chair / stair gate?
When you make your accommodation booking, you can also pay to rent a travel cot and high chair (which includes cot linen). Stair gates can also be provided, please enquire with the team.
Can we bring our pet?
Some of our owners do allow pets and you can filter your property search to show only these ones. In those cases, we will add an extra cleaning charge to your booking. See more about bringing your pets to Chamonix.
Preparing for your arrival in Chamonix
Do I need a visa?
The French government have some useful information on their website regarding whether you need a visa.
Can you provide proof of my booking to support my visa application?
If required, we can provide a letter proving that you have booked accommodation with us for visa purposes. Just contact us to request this.
Do I need insurance?
If you are booking a holiday with us you must ensure you and your group have adequate medical and travel insurance. Please see our full booking terms and conditions.
How do I get to the property?
Once we have received your final payment, we will send arrival instructions for your stay which include the accommodation address, driving directions and details about the property. You can also book one of our door-to-door airport transfers if you are arriving into Geneva Airport. Also see “What are your check-in/check-out times?”.
How do I pick up the keys?
We will be in touch with you before your arrival to explain how to organise your self-check-in, including comprehensive instructions on how to get the keys. Also see “What are your check-in/check-out times?”.
What are your check-in/check-out times?
Standard check-in time is between 5pm and 9pm, and check-out is by 10am. We do offer an early check-in / late check-out service (subject to availability) – see the following question for more details.
Please contact us if you know you are going to be delayed.
What is the early check-in / late check-out service?
If you have a flight which arrives early, or a late departure on your last day, we may be able to offer an early check-in / late check-out. This is subject to availability and only on a first-come, first-served basis. If we are able to arrange this for you, we may be able to let you in as early as 1-2pm or allow you to stay until 12-1pm (depending on the property that you are staying in).
In order to organise this service, we have to pay for an express clean and there is a fee of 40€ – 80€ which covers this (depending on the size of the property). Speak to the team to discuss your arrival/departure times and book your early check-in / late check-out.
If there are no other bookings that conflict with yours then these charges may not apply and we will do our best to liaise with the cleaning managers regarding your requirements.
Is there anywhere I can leave my bags?
We have offices in the centre of Chamonix where you may be able to drop off your bags and collect them again when the property is ready for you. This is subject to availability and only on a first-come, first-served basis as we have limited space.
Otherwise in some cases we may be able to give you access to drop off your bags while the cleaners are preparing the property for your arrival. This means you will have to return later in the day once the cleaners have finished the property, it does not give you access to the rest of the property. See also above our early check-in / late check-out services.
What happens if I arrive after 10pm?
If you’re arriving after 10pm please let us know in advance. The office will be closed so we need to make sure you have all the information for your self check-in.
What linen will be provided in the accommodation?
The beds will be made up with linen when you arrive based on the bed configuration that you have given us, plus towels for every guest. For these reasons, it is very helpful if you can update us before you arrive if you will be bringing extra guests or if your bed requirements change.
Why do you need our bed make-up before we arrive?
Many of our properties have flexible bed configurations, for example beds which can be made as a double or a twin. For that reason, it is very helpful if you can let us know before you arrive what your requirements are so that we can provide the correct linen and towels for you.
If we stay for 2 weeks or more do we get extra linen?
When you are staying for 14 days or more, our cleaners will come in half-way through your stay to change the bed linen and towels. This may not be exactly in the middle of your stay, it could be the day before or after so please do not strip the beds as our cleaners will do this when they visit.
Can I book additional cleaning during my holiday?
We provide one change of linen free of charge if you are staying for 14 days or more, but cleaning is only included at the end of your stay.
No matter how long your stay is, we can arrange additional cleaning for you from 42€ per hour. We can also offer additional linen changes, just speak to the team.
What do I have to do on check-out?
Most importantly you have to ensure the property is secure with all windows and doors locked and that you have left ALL the keys and parking fobs at the property as instructed. We don’t expect you to clean the whole property, after all you are on holiday, but we do ask you to complete just a few simple tasks on check-out to leave the property tidy and ready for our cleaning staff. See “Do I have to clean the property at the end of my stay?”.
Do I have to clean the property at the end of my stay?
We don’t ask you to scrub the accommodation from top to bottom, after all, you are on holiday! We just ask you to complete a few simple tasks on check-out to leave the apartment tidy and ready for our cleaning staff. This information will be in the property info file when you arrive, but it includes basic tasks such as taking your rubbish out to the bins and doing the washing up. We will also send you a summary of the check-out instructions with all of your arrival information on email prior to your stay.
Your accommodation
Will there be any basic supplies left in the property when I arrive?
We do not throw away useful general items like olive oil, condiments, spices, dried goods etc at the end of every stay, so you will often find some or all of these in the kitchen cupboards when you arrive. We will also leave some basic cleaning products and toilet roll to get you started in the property. Equally, at the end of your stay, please leave anything that you think future guests might find useful.
Will my accommodation have wi-fi / internet access?
Most of our properties have wi-fi – see the property description on our website to see if the one you are interested in does, or you can filter your search options to select properties with wi-fi. This information will also be listed in the arrival information which we email to you when you have made your final payment.
Will my accommodation have parking?
Many of our properties have parking, which may be indoor or outdoor, allocated or unreserved. These details will be given in the property listing on our website and also in the arrival information which we email to you when you have made your final payment. If the property that you have booked does not have parking, there is plenty of free and payable public parking in Chamonix and our team is happy to guide you to the closest one. Note that you may be able to get some discounts with your guest cards if you buy a weekly parking card. Or why not leave the car at home and book our Chamonix All Year airport transfers?
Are there laundry facilities in my accommodation?
Many of our properties have laundry facilities which are detailed on the property listing on the website and in the arrival information which we email to you when you have made your final payment. If your accommodation does not have a washing machine / tumble dryer, there are laundrettes in Chamonix Sud.
Are there supermarkets, shops and bars nearby my accommodation?
Most of our properties are located close to supermarkets, shops and bars and the info file provides directions to the closest of these. See also our restaurant guide, as well as our shopping guides.
Can we smoke in our accommodation?
No, all of our properties are non-smoking, including the common areas of the building.
Do you offer catered accommodation?
We offer flexible catering upgrades to our self-catered accommodation.
Where can I see reviews of the accommodation?
Every one of our property listings has a section of the page dedicated to verified, independent guest reviews. Just go to the Guest Reviews section at the bottom of the page to see previous testimonials from guests who have stayed in there.
More about Chamonix All Year
Where can I see reviews of Chamonix All Year?
As well as property reviews, many of our guests leave some lovely feedback about the team and their stay in Chamonix. See our general guest reviews for each season to find out what it’s like to stay with Chamonix All Year.
What languages do the Resort Team speak?
We have a multinational team with plenty of English and French speakers, as well as staff who speak Italian.
