Villa Relax am See

Villa Relax was a solid holiday rental for us, and we had the things we’d expected and hoped for. The landlord is incredibly nice, accommodating, and always ready to help or share information. The bathrooms and toilets were immaculate, and the whole house was handed over spotlessly clean. There are some minor issues, though, and without them it would have earned the last star. We wanted self-catering accommodation for two adults and two children, ideally near the lake. We found it on a booking platform and chose it for its space and location. The house is at the end of an unpaved cul-de-sac, which gave us pause at first, but don’t let that put you off. There’s a carport and storage space for bikes or a bike rack. The exterior looks unfinished, while inside it shows signs of use, such as cracked silicone sealant, drywall cracks, and scuffed edges. That said, it’s not squalid. The kitchen is from a discount furniture store, and the dishes and cutlery are a mixed bag. We cooked several times and used the dishwasher. Everything works, but if you’re particular or need sharp knives, bring your own.

The covered terrace is great for sitting outside even when it rains, and the house is beautiful and clean, with a well-equipped kitchen and a TV in every room. The landlord is very nice. Bikes, a grill, and lounge chairs for the terrace are included, as is a ticket for the Ossiach lido. The nearby train line wasn’t a problem for us, even at night, since there isn’t much traffic. Very high risk we’ll come back!

The four bikes were a welcome extra and made it easy to get to the beach. The accommodation is excellent value for money, and Hermann, the landlord, was very helpful.