La Tulipe

The cottage is in a great spot, just across the little bridge from Durbuy centre, and the garden is enclosed so it works well for a dog. Downstairs is nicely furnished, with a roomy living and dining area, a kitchen, and a table for six. There’s a dishwasher and the basics for cooking. The fridge isn’t fitted with an integrated door as it should be. The big L-shaped sofa is fine for sleeping, but really uncomfortable to sit on. Since the cottage should only take four people, more comfortable chairs and a sofa would make sense. There’s also a sink in the kitchen that leaks. The garden itself is lovely and secure, though the gate needs a lock so dogs or children can’t get out onto the road. The loungers were in very bad shape, one was broken, and the chair cushions were torn and need replacing. Upstairs is where the bigger problems are. The stairs need urgent attention and feel dangerous: the handrail wobbles, and the steps are so narrow you have to climb sideways. They’re not suitable for children or anyone with mobility issues, and there’s no child gate, despite there being a high chair. Upstairs is a converted roof with two bedrooms, a bathroom, and storage outside the rooms. One bedroom has no door and a very low ceiling, so it’s easy to hit your head when getting up from bed. You have to be careful. You can’t stand upright in the bath to shower or climb out, so it’s another difficulty for anyone with limited mobility or back problems. The floor looks lovely, but nails have been hammered into the wood to hold it down. Some stick out enough to hurt your feet or catch your socks. It’s a shame about the low headroom and the bath and shower setup, because this could be a perfect place to stay. The price should reflect these inconveniences. I gave it three stars, though it could score higher if the bath and shower were fixed, the garden furniture replaced, and the kitchen sink repaired. There’s no way to change the low ceiling upstairs.