ROGER & BELINDA / UK / JUNE 20TH-27TH / 2009
Review Submitted: June 30, 2009
Date of Stay: June 2009
Having previously rented Holiday properties in France, Italy and Spain / Balearics via UK based specialist companies, we were rather cautious dealing "directly" with the owner (albeit via a central co-ordinated website). In retrospect, we shall not do so again!
Our initial research took for ever as we appeared to be dealing with a multitude of "owner representatives", each one providing us with conflicting availability dates. However, once we made direct e mail contact with the owner of "La Cagnotte", the booking process itself was completed swiftly and without problem (please do be aware however that the "money transfer process" can be costly and time consuming...not just a question of providing debit / credit card details).
We have always been happy to make our own travel arrangements, and our initial research enabled us to organise our arrival and departure using the local public transport system...buses and trains are excellent value, regular throughout the day / evening and the local station (Cagnes Sur Mer) is but a few minutes walk from the town centre. We were particularly smitten by the local "free shuttle bus" which provides tansport from the town to / from the village from early morning until around midnight...the drivers are tremendous, nothing is too much trouble for them and the locals appear to adore them equally.
We really enjoyed our week on the Cote d' Azur...BUT...have to say that the property was dissappointing for the following reasons....
The owner's description states "simple and rustic"...for a weekly cost approaching a month's salary (yes, I know it is "Cote d' Azur" !)...we would prefer to call it "run down" due to the lack of working lights (particularly on the awkward-for some stairs / suitable cooking facilities (four rings..no oven!) / kettle inoperative / toilet facilities very basic (toilet seat just about fixed on!) and shower also quite basic, although plentiful hot water. Basically, although the owner apparently has a local resident and gardener to ensure "all is in good order", wherever they were we certainly saw no evidence at all of their work in preparing the house for holiday occupation...the photographs of the house and garden on the website must have been taken several years ago, as, in reality the whole place really could do with a THOROUGH clean and tidy up.
The two of us coped but a family with children probably not so well!!
Finally, a modest "welcome pack" would be nice as no village shop.
Recommended for:
Adventure Seekers,
Sightseeing
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