Montana Lodge and Spa

La Thuile, Aosta Valley, Italy

Perks

Indoor pool
Full spa facilities
Kid friendly
- Kids club/play area steps below the dining area and bar
- children allowed in the spa until 5 pm
Complimentary breakfast buffet
Within the mountains and close to slopes
Complimentary shuttle to ski lifts
Non-smoking
Small dog friendly

Spa

Along with a heated indoor pool with breathtaking views, the spa facility includes a sauna, steam room, reading and lounge areas. During our stay, the majority of the guests were on the slopes so the spa was empty - only one other family was there a the same time we were. Liam and the hubby had a blast in the pool while I got some peace and quiet in the different saunas. Can we live here?! (<- actually possible: you can purchase a home on the property!)

Cuisine

When its cold and snowing out, the last thing you want to have to do is go out there to get something to eat, especially with kids in tow. This is why the food available wherever we are staying is so important to us. At Montana Lodge and Spa, breakfast, lunch, dinner AND happy hour were all phenomenal!

The complimentary breakfast buffet was more than just the typical italian breakfast of caffe and cornetti, decked out with all the seeds, nuts, jams, and toppings you can imagine. Cereal, yogurt, fruits, cheese, pastries and freshly made omelets were available.
Try the carbonara for lunch. One of the best we’ve ever had and it was on the kids menu!
Dinner was a full room so make reservations when you check-in.
Children can play in the kids club after eating or while you are enjoying wine and a cheese platter during the happy hour social.

Decor + Service

Montana Lodge and Spa had by far the most contemporary decor in all of the places we stayed in in Italy. A perfect balance of traditional warmth with its wooden backdrop and brown tones along with modern luxury with its iron accents and sleek furnishings.

The service too had the perfect balance of tradition and progression. The staff was sophisticated and fluent in english but without any pretentiousness. They were as welcoming and warm, and of course loving to children, as hosts of any tiny bed and breakfast in Italy.

The cherry on top - it was my birthday week when we stayed here so they made me a cake <3. I would gladly celebrate my birthday here every year if I could. Hint, hint hubby.

Location

Closest Cities/Airports

2.5 hour drive from Milan, Italy
1.45 hours drive from Torino, Italy
1.45 hours drive from Geneva, Switzerland (crossing international borders)

Closest Train Station - Aosta Valley Train Station

**During the winter months, get tire chains for your car and drive during the day when heading over there for the first time. The roads are single lane and VERY windy, up and down the mountains. Plus you’ll be able to see and enjoy the view of the Aosta Valley.

COMING UP ON THE BLOG

More on La Thuile
Another Favorite Resort Spa in the Mountains
Favorite Hotels in Italy
Switzerland
Ireland
Scotland
Disneyland Paris

While my body rested, my heart, mind and soul wandered.

For mother’s day, my boys took me on an amazing weekend getaway to a cozy little cottage in San Marcos. It was only thirty minutes away and very different from our usually adventurous trips but it was a perfect place to escape to. I spent most of Saturday eating and snuggling with my boys or watching them explore while I sat in the beautiful private garden. Capped off my lazy day soaking in a hot tub under the stars with Bryan while we sipped on red wine (a bottle we saved from our time in Hawaii). With Liam in great view and fast asleep no more than ten feet from us, we had zero worries that night as parents and were able to just focus on each other and ourselves. Its amazing how much reflecting you can get done when you’re not consumed by a giant pile of laundry, endless dishes, deciding what to make for dinner, or putting toys away for the 3rd time that day. It was so fulfilling being able to gather my thoughts and figure things out about myself, what I want to do for myself, how to better myself, and where do I want to be a year, 5 years, 10 years from now (usually mindful of the present and grasping the now). One of the things I came up with through out all this wondering was to start a blog.

So here I am, writing my first entry [!!!]. Life for me and my boys are rarely calm and chaos free like this weekend but is abundant in wander and definitely, love.

Join me on my creative journey and follow along as we go on bucket list travels and everyday adventures together including motherhood and military life.

Cottage Details:

Decor/Ambiance: Cozy and bright. 2 french doors, a skylight and 6 windows wrapping around the house provide ample natural lighting. Great for photography and experimenting with light!

Amenities: Lush garden, well maintained outdoor spa, working outdoor fireplace, outdoor dining area, sofa bed, kitchen sink, microwave, coffee and espresso maker and 2 TVs.

Cleanliness: The very first thing I inspect when I walk into a hotel room or rental is its bed. Sleeping in the same bed that dozens and maybe hundreds of other strangers have slept in too is my absolute least favorite part of traveling. I didn't think about that here though. The bed along with the rest of the cottage was fresh, pristine and well kept.

Child friendly? For the most part, yes! The garden is on a slope so we did not let Liam roam around it without us more than a few feet away. There is a small set of stairs (5 steps between the bedroom and living area). Liam was cautious and capable going up and down the stairs. For younger children, I would suggest bringing 2 baby gates for the top and bottom of the steps. I would also bring a portable crib or pack and play. Although the bed was big enough to fit the three of us, it was too high to let Liam sleep in it.

Would we recommend it? Absolutely!! Looking forward to next time.