Soldeu Information

Apres-ski

Soldeu has a lively après-ski scene, fuelled by Southern European sunshine, affordable alcohol and plenty of rowdy bars and pulsing nightclubs.

Fat Albert's (tel: +376 851 765; www.fat-albertssoldeu.com) is one of the most popular thanks to its live bands. It is located in one of the oldest surviving buildings in the village - an old cattle shed behind the Hotel Himalaya.

The Aspen Bar (tel: +376 851 974), in the resort centre, is another long standing favourite, with a lively atmosphere, big screen TVs and a great choice of drinks.

Although the bars are open all day and are busy as soon as the lifts close, serious partying typically starts at around 2300 (or 0100 for clubs) and lasts until 0300 (or 0400 for clubs).

Eating out

There is a good range of restaurants in Soldeu, the majority of which are typically relaxed and affordable.

The Merlot Restaurant (tel: +376 370 002) is a popular choice, tucked away down a back street, it offers international cuisine to a good standard and has an extensive menu of local wines.

Restaurant Taverna de la iaia (tel: +376 851 321; www.facebook.com/tavernaiaiasoldeu) is a friendly tapas restaurant with joint English and Spanish management and a reputation for high quality cuisine at reasonable prices.

For a special dining experience, try the rustic La Llar de L'artesa (tel: +376 851 078), located about 2.5km (1.5 miles) up the road from the resort centre. With its open fire place in the corner, it’s like dining in a museum of Andorran heritage.

There are plenty of choices for fast food and pizza of course; Pizzeria L'Avet (tel: +376 739 325) is one of the most popular.

Resort Information

Beyond the slopes

As it continues its rapid expansion and diversification in to a year round resort, the range of things to do off the slopes in Soldeu and its neighbouring Grandvalira resort continues to grow.

As far as indoor activities go, the Sport Wellness Mountain Spa (tel: +376 870 510; www.sportwellness.ad) in Soldeu itself offers a swimming pool and spa complex that is the ideal spot to relax and be pampered. Meanwhile there’s a sports centre with an indoor ice rink in nearby Canillo. The complex also houses squash courts and a medium-sized indoor pool.

The usual ski resort activities of snowshoeing, snowmobiling and dog sledding are also available in the Grandvalira region. More adventurous visitors may want to try archery, rifle shooting, paintballing and paragliding. While over in Pas de La Casa, there's an ice-driving circuit visitors can tackle in either a car or a kart.

Family fun

Soldeu has exceptionally good services for children, particularly on the slopes. As well as being designed to a high standard, its main distinction against the standard European ski resort offering is the resort’s staff, who are (in the vast majority of cases) both friendly and professional, with many speaking English as a first language.

A non-ski nursery in the resort accepts children aged from two to four. Special ski school classes, indoor facilities and play in a specially designed snow garden are also offered to children aged three and older - these facilities can be found at Espiolets on the mountain, reached by gondola from Soldeu.

Retail therapy

Andorra's duty-free status makes it a budget shopper's mecca, particularly for normally highly taxed items such as alcohol, tobacco and perfume. Consumer electronics and fashion clothing are also widely available.

There is only a limited selection of shops in Soldeu, but many people make the short trip to the provincial capital La Vella to visit the wide-ranging shopping facilities, including its numerous department stores.

Splashing out

Book in for a day (or more) of professional pampering at the spectacular Caldea spa (tel: +376 800 999; www.caldea.com/) in nearby La Vella. Treatments here include chocotherapy (treatments involving being liberally smeared with chocolate), a range of massage packages and a thermal circuit.

Hotels

There are some attractive, centrally located hotels in Soldeu, which, along with a range of modern apartments built in a traditional stone-clad style, create a rustic feel to the resort. There are also some chalets, though the choice isn't huge.

Luxury

Moderate

Cheap