Not for the wheelchair user!
Review Submitted: July 24, 2009
Date of Stay: July 2009
We were very disappointed with the access at Le Havre after being told that wheelchair users would not have any problems. Stone chippings have never been the easiest of surfaces with my front wheels and the owners inadequate, makeshift ramp did little to make any difference. I had to make the most of the rear door as an entrance to the building and access by the pool (far from perfect either)
Descriptions by the owners seem very 'over the top' to what is basically a half converted barn, comfortable for two who like to be in touch with nature and have a bent for environmental, saving the planet type issues.
The washing machine is NOT in the kitchen and you must be prepared to be escorted to the washroom (100m down the road in a locked outbuilding) and supervised whilst you complete a 2 Euro wash cycle. The owners might even bring your washing back to you so if you're sensitive about your smalls, you have been warned.
Which leads me to another major stumbling block.....The privacy factor is woefully poor due to the number of windows in the property. The owners guests are never far away and may even nip in through your unlocked back door to use the loo. We felt like sponsors rather than guests and rarely felt truly relaxed...... Sorry but we won't be going back
Owner's Response: Ouch!!!!
We can't but help love the negative "spin" that Englands own put on their stay here!
We have been renting that cottage for 18 years now and have had a few wheelchair guests stay there--all of whom have told us that the cottage was PERFECT for their needs---all one level and a big walk-in/wheel-in shower,etc.
While Englands own were here, we asked them both--pointedly-- ( as we always ask all of our guests) if everything was fine, did they need anything and were assured by both of them that not only was it beautiful outside, but inside as well.
If the gentleman in question wanted a better ramp all one needed to do was say so. We would have more than happy to make the needed modifications.
But, nary a word.
As my father said: "If it doesn't work: fix it".
And, as he points out, we are on sight for any needs or questions.
He seems to feel that we were "on sight" too much, but we do live just across the courtyard from the cottage and are quiet and discrete.
We take great umbrage to the line that: "The owners guests are never far away and may even nip in through your unlocked back door to use the loo"!
That is a patent lie!
The guests from the other cottage used the pool ONCE and Englands own were in the cottage sleeping. When we apologized if the two children were too noisy, the following day,they both assured us that they hadn't heard a thing, as they had "slept like babes".
So, what can we say? Except perhaps, that the photos CLEARLY show that the patio area is gravel (and always has been) and it is NOT stated that the washing machine is in the kitchen (but that it is available!) and we have seen "smalls" before and thought it was a nice gesture to bring their washing down for them and we "escorted" her to the washroom to show how the machine was run, (as we've had some unfortunate accidents in the past).
That all said, we will be removing the handicapped accesable part of our ad.
If their feelings are so strong as to the lack of comfort, then I must say again: that it should have been pointed out to us whilst they were here.
And, I will add that if the cottage is simply a "converted barn" (It is a converted barn and quite a nice one too!) and in the hundreds of guests who have stayed here over the years, why are the majority of our guests ones who return year after year?
Funnily enough, we thought that they were having a delightful time, as they rarely left the grounds.......
k&c.
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marks the location of the property in Loire Valley
