A family getaway
Review Submitted: 25 October 2010
Date of Stay: July 2010
Three generations (grandparents, 3 adult children, 2 in-laws and 8 grandchildren - aged 12 and under) of the same family spent a very happy week at Le Verger in July 2010.
The setting of Le Verger is magnificent. It is a haven of tranquillity within a stone's throw of the hustle and bustle of the major sites of the region. There are trails for mountainbiking or walking on the doorstep. The pool is spacious with lighting for midnight swims and a wonderful view. The garden is big enough to cope will all manner of activities.
The reason for the average rating is that the main house (and most notably the kitchen) is poorly equipt, particularly for a large group. The kitchen is fairly small with little by way of work surface. The hob is difficult to light and the kitchen utensils are aged and of poor quality. More thought could have gone into providing some basic provisions (e.g. a couple of washing tablets or washing up liquid, matches etc.) and more suitable bedding for the climate (i.e. a sheet and blanket rather than heavy duvets).
Luckily for us the weather was good and we were able to prepare most meals on the BBQ; and having spent the week prior camping we had some of the basic necessities (such as a decent sharp knife etc.)
We would recommend this property for its setting. With a trip to Ikea :-)and a small investment on the part of the owners it would get an excellent rating.
Recommended for:
Age 55+,
Sightseeing,
Families with Teenagers,
Families with Young Children
Owner's Response: Dear Sarah,
Thank you for your review. We are pleased that you and your whole family had a very happy week and that you found Le Verger and it setting is magnificent. It certainly is a unique and beautiful spot.
You also left some very glowing comments in our house book, which we thank you for.
We are however, disappointed and slightly bemused, with regard to your later comments. Bearing in mind that you, by your own admission, had such a good time at Le Verger, we find your review rather harsh and in particular the low score, especially as Le Verger has never received lower than a 5/5 rating.
We are also disappointed with the fact that none of this was ever mentioned to us at the time. Lila and I welcome our guests very warmly and make it very clear that we are always at hand, day or night, should you have any problems or concerns. The first we knew of these issues, was when we received a notification of your review from Holiday Rentals. I find this disappointing as many of the points you raise are very minor and could have been resolved in an instant.
In answer to your issues raised:
The kitchen of Le Verger is 23m2, and whilst not huge is by no means tiny and is in keeping with a three hundred year old property. Not mentioned on your review however is that the property has two fully equipped kitchens, one in the cottage.
The kitchen hob, even though of very good quality, has become a little temperamental this year and is due to be replaced.
Unfortunately I cannot agree that the kitchen is not poorly equipped. At the beginning of the season we bought many new items for both kitchens, including two new sets of sharp knives.
As for the items such as dishwasher tablets, matches and washing up liquid, though we are not obliged to, we do provide these as a matter of course for all our guests and were definitely supplied at the beginning of your stay. Maybe because you were in the cottage you were not aware of this.
With regard to the duvets, I think this is just a question of personal taste. The duvets provided in the summer are the lightest available and our most of our guests find these very comfortable.
In conclusion, whilst we are glad that you and your families had a wonderful time at Le Verger, we are of course disappointed that you were not happy with certain aspects of your stay and we would have appreciated the opportunity to address any issues you may have had, however minor.
Gareth and Lila Kirkland
Helpful votes: 1/2
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