Sweatshirt Luxury: Family Ski Resorts Where Comfort is the Standard
Five family-friendly ski hotels in France, Italy and Austria where the vibe is cosy, not flashy
When you’re skiing with children, “luxury” is no longer about a logo on a lift pass and becomes something quieter: staff who remember your child’s name, a kids’ club that actually runs all day, a suite where everyone can sleep without sharing a pillow. Think cashmere joggers rather than cocktail dresses; room service pasta rather than tasting menus at 9pm. That’s what we mean by sweatshirt luxury: easy, lived-in five-star comfort in resorts that still feel like places, not stage sets.
Hôtel Les Barmes de l’Ours - Val d’Isère, France
Why we love it
Tucked at the foot of the Face de Bellevarde, Les Barmes de l’Ours is classic Val d’Isère with a softer edge: chalet architecture, serious spa, and a warm, “everyone’s at home here” atmosphere. It’s a Relais & Châteaux grande dame with a playful streak – there’s even a bowling alley.
For children (from around 3+)
The kids’ club welcomes little ones from three years old, with craft activities, themed evenings (space, animals, circus) and supervised play during school holidays, so you can ski that extra run or have a quiet drink at the bar. There’s also a separate games room for older children and teens with PlayStations, table football and retro pinball – close enough that you can see them from the lounge, far enough that they feel independent.
Rooms
Families are beautifully looked after: eleven dedicated family suites come with a proper parents’ bedroom, children’s bunks or a small kids’ room, two bathrooms and a shared living area – plus balcony views over the village and slopes. Little slippers, dressing gowns and cuddly toys are laid out for younger guests, turning the suite into a cosy Alpine den after a day on the Espace Killy.
Service for families
This is where Les Barmes feels very “sweatshirt luxury”: efficient but unshowy service. Staff will organise ski hire in-house, sort lessons, suggest off-slope adventures from ice skating to husky sledding, and help coordinate mealtimes around nap schedules rather than the other way round. Families can drift between three restaurants – from a relaxed rotisserie to a Savoyard corner – without feeling out of place if someone turns up in thermal leggings.
Le Massif Hotel & Lodge - Courmayeur, Italy
Why we love it
On the Italian side of Mont Blanc, Le Massif splits its personality in the best possible way: a contemporary hotel steps from Courmayeur’s Via Roma, and a private lodge directly on the slopes with its own ski-in/ski-out facilities and heated lockers. It’s a modern, eco-minded LHW property that still feels very Italian – all stone, wood and mountain views.
For children
Le Massif leans in to families. There are full-day kids’ clubs and children’s programmes, plus babysitting on request – ideal if you want a grown-up dinner or a few hours in the spa. In winter, the hotel and its chalet are geared around the ski day: the Adventure Experience Concierge can arrange lessons and off-snow activities tailored to the ages and confidence levels in your party.
Rooms
Rooms and suites are dressed in clean, modern-Alpine style with big windows and proper insulation – important when bedtime needs to happen before après-ski. Categories such as the Deluxe Family and various suites sleep up to three or four, with king beds and flexible seating/sleeping areas, while Mont Blanc-view rooms let you fall asleep with the massif glowing outside.
Service for families
This is a hotel that smooths the logistics: ski pass service, ski concierge, and a private ski room with individual heated lockers all mean you’re not wrestling with tangled gear in the corridor. Down in town, staff will happily recommend child-friendly trattorie, arrange early dinners or organise transfers back from the slopes when small legs give out. The tone is relaxed and welcoming – think staff chatting with your children in the lift as naturally as they pour your Barolo.
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa - Ortisei, Italy
Why we love it
Set in the heart of Ortisei, Gardena Grödnerhof is a family-run Relais & Châteaux hotel that blends Alpine charm with understated luxury. It has a warmth and elegance that immediately puts you at ease: glowing wood panelling, generous suites, a superb spa, and a level of hospitality that feels genuinely personal. Its location is unbeatable for families — the cable car to Alpe di Siusi is just steps away, making mornings with small skiers wonderfully simple. It’s refined, but never stiff; polished, but with heart.
For children (from around 3+)
This is one of the Dolomites’ best luxury options for families who want proper programming for children. The Kids Clubruns daily from mid-afternoon until late evening, with professional, supervised childcare for ages 3 and up. The space itself is fantastic: craft corners, games, soft play, a mini-disco, cinema area and age-appropriate activities that rotate each day. During dinner, children can eat together at the supervised kids’ table — freeing parents for a quiet meal without rushing through dessert. It’s structured, fun, and thoughtfully run.
Rooms
Rooms and suites are spacious, beautifully kept, and deeply comfortable — think warm Alpine detailing, large balconies, and generous layouts that work perfectly for parents with two children. Several suites offer separate living rooms or clever alcoves that allow little ones to sleep peacefully while adults wind down. Expect impeccable bedding, plentiful storage for ski gear, and blissfully quiet nights thanks to excellent insulation. Many suites overlook Ortisei’s pastel rooftops or the Dolomite peaks, making mornings feel like a postcard.
Service for families
Gardena Grödnerhof excels at the kind of intuitive service that makes skiing with children genuinely easy. Ski lockers and heated boot rooms streamline the daily scramble, while the front desk happily organises lessons, rentals, lift passes and transfers around your family’s rhythm. Staff know how to navigate the needs of young guests — early meal times, flexible housekeeping, extra blankets, a forgotten glove — and do so with grace rather than fuss. It’s luxury that feels lived-in, warm and absolutely family-centred.
Falkensteiner Family Hotel Montafon - Montafon, Austria
Why we love it
Purpose-built for families and positioned directly on the Golm “Adventure Mountain”, this is Austria’s first climate-neutral ski area’s flagship family hotel – and the only five-star family property in the German-speaking world within The Leading Hotels of the World. Think striking contemporary architecture against snowy peaks, wrapped around a huge spa and water world.
For children
The clue is in the name. Children are included in the room rate, and the entire concept is “ECO.FAMILY.PLAY”: age-appropriate play areas, a science lab, camp room and a full “Family Ecotainment” programme led by rangers out in nature. There’s direct access to the Golm ski area, an in-house ski rental and ticket service, and regular free shuttles to the middle station – which means less schlepping, more actual skiing (or snowman-building).
Rooms
Design family rooms start from around 43 m² and are laid out for together-time without chaos: king beds for parents plus proper beds (not fold-up afterthoughts) for two or even three children in some suites. Many look straight onto the mountains or across the alpine lake-style pool, so even naptime comes with a view.
Service for families
This is the epitome of “sweatshirt” service: intuitive, unfussy and built around the idea that parents should actually enjoy their holiday. There’s an Experience Concierge to tailor activities, a spa designed for families as well as an adults-only zone, and staff used to managing the moving parts of big, multi-age trips – from baby weeks and swim lessons to football camps for older kids.
Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges - Courchevel 1850, France
Why we love it
In the heart of Courchevel 1850, Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges brings a rare blend of warm Alpine glamour and deeply attentive service. It’s a ski-in/ski-out hotel with a refined, understated aesthetic – lots of natural wood, soft lighting, and that effortless French polish. As a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, it delivers on every luxury detail, but with a relaxed rhythm that suits families just as well as glamorous couples. The atmosphere is plush but never pretentious; the kind of place where cashmere and snow boots feel perfectly at home.
For children (from around 3+)
Barrière Les Neiges is one of the strongest family hotels in Courchevel thanks to Le Studio by Petit VIP, one of the most impressive kids’ clubs in the French Alps. Open to children from around age 3, it offers creative workshops, cinema sessions, interactive games, snow play, themed activities and all-day supervised fun run by trained entertainers. There’s also a dedicated teen lounge, which gives older children their own space away from toddlers and screens. Babysitting is easily arranged, and the hotel coordinates with the on-site ski school, making lesson logistics wonderfully smooth.
Rooms
Rooms and suites are spacious, Alpine-chic and incredibly comfortable – perfect for families who need proper space and good soundproofing. Expect soft textures, plush bedding, generous bathrooms and balconies that look over the slopes or village. Many suites are designed with families in mind: separate lounges, bunk-style sleeping areas, and interconnecting options give parents privacy while keeping everyone close. Everything feels crafted for ease – from clever storage for ski gear to gentle lighting that makes evenings cosy and calm.
Service for families
The service here is exactly what families dream of: thoughtful, discreet and quick to anticipate needs. A ski valet handles equipment, heated boots and morning departures. The concierge arranges ski school, lift passes, restaurant bookings, transfers – whatever makes the day smoother. Children’s menus are flexible, mealtimes can be adapted, and housekeeping works around naps without fuss. Staff are warm without hovering, and they talk to children with genuine kindness. It’s luxury delivered with heart, not ceremony.
Spa Hotel Jagdhof, Neustift - Stubai Valley, Austria
Why we love it
Just 20 minutes from Innsbruck, in the Stubai Valley, Jagdhof is an old-school Tyrolean grand hotel with a very modern spa: more than 3,000 m² of wellness, 20 different sauna and bathing experiences, and a jSPA that’s won Relais & Châteaux’s own Well-being Award. It’s also the valley’s only five-star hotel – traditional carved wood and tiled stoves, but with a relaxed, lived-in feel that suits family life.
For children
Jagdhof is clear about being “ideal for families”, with its Kitz & Teens Club welcoming children from four to fifteen for a varied, age-appropriate programme, with extended hours in school holidays. Beyond the club, offers such as “Family time” bundle in nature walks, trips to Swarovski Crystal Worlds and special spa perks for the whole clan. Third-party reviews highlight a free kids’ club, children’s meals, playground and kids’ pool – it’s not a shouty water-slide resort, but families are very much at the centre of things.
Rooms
Rooms, suites and family configurations range up to over 100 m², often with separate living areas and balconies facing the Stubai Glacier. The style is classic Tyrol – carved wood, checks and warm textiles – but with modern comforts and plenty of storage for layers of ski kit. Larger suites work well for families who want children in their own sleeping area without losing that “everyone’s under one roof” feeling.
Service for families
As a family-owned Relais & Châteaux property, Jagdhof leans heavily into personal service: the owners are often on-site, and reviews repeatedly mention the warmth and professionalism of staff. There’s a strong emphasis on inclusive services – from thoughtful touches in the spa to help parents decompress, to flexible dining that doesn’t insist every child sits through four courses. It’s very much the place to come if you want deep comfort and real hospitality rather than a “scene”.
Special Mentions
Family Resort Rainer, South Tyrol
Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel, South Tyrol
Almhof Schneider, Lech
Severin*s The Alpine Retreat, Lech
Ready to ski in soft clothes?
If sweatshirt luxury sounds like your family’s winter dress code – relaxed layers, big views, and five-star service that doesn’t take itself too seriously – we’d love to help.
Contact The Betesh Group to curate your ski holiday in France, Italy or Austria. We’ll match you with the right resort and room configuration, coordinate ski schools and transfers, and make sure that from toddlers to teens, everyone feels looked after – so you can concentrate on fresh tracks, hot chocolate and being together in the snow.