San Giovanni Hotel, Livigno, Italy

Stayed at the San Giovanni for 1 week in late January 2011. Booked through Iglu Ski with the rep being Neilsen and the Flight out of Gatwick to Innsbruck then a transfer of around 3 hours to the Duty Free Italian Resort of Livigno. As with many package holidays, the flights are at crazy times at night, but having said that our party of 6 managed to get some skiing in on the first day (just a couple of hours but got our legs and lungs acclimatised) whilst others were still settling into the accommodation, listening to a ski talk and no doubt enjoying a beer in the hotel bar. Snow: The snow in Livigno was good, due to its positioning in the Alps and the time of year, although we didn't experience any snow fall whilst out there. SkiBus: The resort is stretched out along the valley and there is only a nursery slope out the back of the hotel. which is at the San Rocco end of the town. So in order to make the most of time on the slopes then the free ski buses really came in use, picking up and dropping off right outside the hotel. The resort has two sides to it, and the buses link you round from one to the other, it is not like some resorts where you can ski from one side to an other. Slopes: There was plenty of variety for both skiers and boarders alike. Livigno does have a reputation for attracting boarders with its multiple snow parks which include jumps with inflatable landing mats for those that want to practice their 720s! Our group preferred the skiing on the Mottelino side of the resort, though we spread our time evenly on both sides our preference was the mottelino. As part of the weeks ski pass is covered travel to Bormio ski resort (lift pass is extra) we didn't try this but others in the hotel did and they commented that it was worth a days visit but not more. We took up the offer of a days guided skiing with one of the Neilsen reps. This was great fun and we covered a lot of miles and some off piste action was had, would recommend people to go on this free guide. Apres ski: Lively at times, resort not as busy as in previous years, but the Carousel bar under the Carousel lift was a highlight with dancing on tables and the bar. We didn't take part in any of the organised events, the bar in the hotel was friendly and had chess, jenga and other games which we played with other guests. Hotel food and Rooms: The Food was Breakfast and Dinner, you had a choice to chose from at dinner, although was limited in choice, was perfectly fine, always a clean plate on our table and we were very contented guests. As the restaurant is a pizzeria, if you didn't like any of the food on the menu then you could choose from the Pizzas which many guests did. The restaurant at times was busy with eaters from outside the hotel, which meant waits for tables for guests were slightly more than normal, but this wasn't an issue to us, we just had a few more beers. The staff were all friendly and accommodating. The rooms were of a good size with balcony and a good hot shower. Plenty of wardrobe space, warm rooms and a tv and an armchair were also included. Duty Free: Livigno benefits from Duty free status, so cigarettes and spirits are particularly cheap when compared with the Airport and back home. There is an off licence as part of the hotel, or 2 minutes walk to the right out of the hotel and you pass 2 more offlicences or opposite and to the left is a supermarket. At the other end of town (40+ minute walk) in the main area of Livigno, are many shops selling perfume, far too much choice. All in all I would recommend a stay in Livigno, and you can't go wrong with staying at the San Giovanni hotel.

Apres Ski: 4/5

Adrian