Lautaret Lodge & Spa

The Lautaret Lodge & Spa is a beautiful big hotel at a crossroads frequented by bicyclists, motorcyclists, and sports car drivers. Famous roads go three directions from here. It's an older building but well kept up. It used to be called Glacier Hotel because, across from the front, there's a big old glacier on the mountain.

The rooms are the largest I've seen on this trip. I'm here for two nights and I'll get an early start tomorrow. If I get the scheduled route done early, I'll try to run over to Bardonecchia, Italy to see that town again.

I had dinner at the hotel. They had Raclette on the menu but only for two people or more. I wanted to try this but I lacked a partner in dining. A trio of Germans sitting near me ordered the Raclette. After the waiter brought it to the table, they just stared at it for a few minutes. They flagged down the waiter and told him that they didn't know what to do. They caught on quickly. Raclette means squeegee. There is a wooden scraper that you use to squeegee cheese off the half wheel of Raclette.

I try to take a quick look at what the waiter puts in front of me and then think of questions. Is the sauce for the potatoes or the meat? Do you mix in the ham with the potatoes or eat it separately? A good tourist is analytical.Read more