Bad holiday
Review Submitted: July 16, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
We stayed in La Vigne for the first 2 weeks of June 2008. It was awful. It had not been cleaned properly for many months. After a few days we realised that any food left out in the kitchen was being eaten by rodents (gliss gliss - 2 of which we caught). Signs of rodent infestation were everywhere, from ripped/ chewed newspaper in the log basket to poo in the cutlery drawer. The whole house had had a perfunctory clean only, which had done nothing to get rid of the totally damp smell everywhere or the real dirt that was everywhere. In all bathrooms were little scraps of ancient soap, which is a really disgusting thing to leave around. The swimming pool was freezing cold (we'd been led to believe it was heated) and as it was too cold to swim in was just a constant danger for our toddler. The 'terrace' is very rotten with broken steps, underneath which lies broken glass, again, a very lazy unnecessary hazard for small children. After getting stomach upsets after a week or so, we decided we couldn't stay in such a dirty house any longer, particularly with a 7 month pregnant wife and toddler, and so despite having spent a lot of money on the rent, had to cut our holiday short. On our return, we emailed the owner to express our disappointment (having communicated with him via email several times re payment etc), and have to this date (16th July) not even received a reply. Had we received perhaps an apology or an offer of some reimbursement, this might have gone some way to making up for the state of the house, but stony silence is just incredibly rude and is why we have decided to write this bad review, in the hope that other people read it and do not have their holidays ruined too. It is such a shame, when you rent these properties on trust, to be so massively let down by people who must have no standards or scruples. It is a shame there is nothing companies like holiday rentals can do about unscrupulous property owners.
Owner's Response: Our goal is to make sure all guests have a great holiday at La Vigne; and for 6 years we have achieved this.
We regret Imo was not satisfied. Their complaints appear to revolve around a couple of key items:
• Rodent problems / dirt
• Cold pool
• Hazardous environment for a toddler
The situation can be put in perspective by stating the following.
• We had personally stayed in the house a week before the guests arrived
o No rodent damage was present
o No bath had scraps of soap remaining
• We have had the property maintained and cleaned by the same people of 6 years without complaints
o The house had a normal (3 hour with 2 people) clean two days prior to the guests arriving
o NO complaints were received during the stay (our phone number as well as the folks that maintain the property are clearly listed); even though they had a physical visit by the folks that maintain the property during the visit
• There has been a problem with “loires” (fat door mouse) which is an endangered and protected species (thus extermination is forbidden). Since a forest nearby had been harvested these animals have lost their habitat and do on occasion invade the property especially if food is left out in the open. When this happens and guests let us know the animals are humanely trapped and taken out of the area for release and guests are encourage to keep food out of open areas where the loires could be attracted to it.
• The pool is never described as heated and this is explained to anyone interested in renting the property. It was warm enough for us to swim in during our earlier visit; but cold rain during the period will cool the water.
• We regret if a toddler was left unattended to crawl under the terrace; but it is not intended as a play area and is left open so as not to encourage wild animals to shelter there.
This couple had asked for a reduced rate – which was granted, they then asked for an extra couple of days at a per diem rate and this was granted, they sent a text message 3 days prior to arriving saying they were camping and were miserable, cold and wet – we arranged to have the house ready 2 days early. Difficulties were encountered with payment for the rental but resolved.
Country holidays are not for everyone – for weather and wild animals will affect the experience; but that is a positive for those who enjoy these types of holiday. Thankfully, up to this experience – our guests have enjoyed the quiet country holiday.
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marks the location of the property in Limousin
