Renowned for its scenic mountain backdrops and home of the 2006 Olympic Games, Sestriere was where Calday Grammar School travelled to for their annual ski trip. Residing at Hotel Olimpic for the duration of their trip – the group had a memorable experience exploring this alpine village of Italy.
Accompanied by Julie, Ski & Sports Tours Operations Manager, and Siobhan, Marketing Co-ordinator at Rayburn Tours, Calday Grammar School experienced the perfect ski trip. And here’s how the Hotel Olimpic helped make it extra special.
The way to a school’s heart is through their stomach
Hotel Olimpic, well-known for serving the best Italian food in Sestriere, didn’t cease to amaze us. And the authentic Italian cookery was well received by the group.
The hotel staff were very accommodating on arrival and had everything in place for the group to get settled in and immerse themselves in Italian culture. Having heard fantastic reviews about the hotel’s traditional cuisine, the group didn’t hesitate to tuck in.
Breakfast
A traditional continental breakfast was served daily with a choice of croissants, pastries, bread rolls, fresh fruit and cereals. The signature Italian ‘cioccolata calda’ (hot chocolate) was available every morning too – something that went down a treat!
Salad bar
Before the evening meal was served, a buffet of snacks and salads were presented to everyone. From garlic pizza bread to a selection of Italian cheeses, complemented by traditional olive oil, it definitely revved the appetite up for the main meal.
Evening meals
Every night the party leader had a choice of a starter and main course available for the following night. The staff were very accommodating and allowed guests to have more than one choice for starters and mains.
By far the most favourite dish of the trip was the lasagne, served as a starter on the first night along with the traditional carbonara as the main. Generous portion sizes and second helpings were available if you wanted more, so much so that there was almost no room for dessert!
Rooms
The hotel rooms had everything they needed for a great night’s sleep. Shower facilities, TV, heaters and the cleanliness of the rooms were of a great standard.
Social area
The open plan social area, adjacent to the reception, had a spacious seating area fit for a large group, with a TV and bar available for refreshments.
What the hotel manger said…
We asked the hotel manager why Hotel Olimpic is perfect for groups travelling to Sestriere:
“It has multiple rooms suitable for large groups, which are well equipped and comfortable with a perfect location.”
“It has multiple rooms suitable for large groups, which are well equipped and comfortable with a perfect location.”
And when asked about the hotel’s reputation for having the best Italian food in Sestriere, his response was:
“The quality of food is very important to us, we have a great chef.
“The quality of food is very important to us, we have a great chef.
The hotel staff have multiple groups staying during the ski season and said that it was their “central location and tasty traditional food” that always wins over their guests.
They were dedicated to ensuring the service they provided was excellent, especially with groups visiting Sestriere for the first time.
In a nutshell…
A great central location, excellent hospitality and delicious Italian cuisine; Hotel Olimpic exceeded expectations and was the perfect home away from home for groups.