Auberge Festive Sea Shack

We only stopped briefly to look around. The layout is unusual and the scenery is great, though it's a bit of a walk from the parking area. Outdoor table tennis is a nice idea, but the gear was worn, if still playable. The reusable plastic beer cups were a letdown. They smell and taste of plastic, and the beer warms up quickly. I understand avoiding broken glass, but cans would be better than draft in those cups, which really spoiled the experience and put me off drinking. We didn't stay overnight after reading several negative reviews, so I can't speak to the accommodations.

We dropped in for dinner and drinks and had a lovely time. The food and drinks were well priced, and all the staff were friendly and smiley. We even got to play a round on their free mini putt. It made for a great date night, finished with a walk on the beach. We hope to book one of the bungalows for a stay soon.

The place has a fun, lively character, and the kitchen is clean, well organized, and practical. The staff clearly care about it, and guests seemed happy to be there. People at the bar and staying there were respectful, and I didn't see anyone overly drunk, which surprised me. Sleep was the problem. There's no quiet time, and the noise carried everywhere into the early morning. Earplugs won't get you proper rest. The beach camping option seems suited only to younger people who enjoy partying. I'd still give it four stars for the character and caring staff.

My friend had a great time playing foosball with the staff later that night. He only had a $5 bill, though, and when he asked if there was anything he could buy for that amount, they just shook their heads. Seems like they could make money on $5 shots. We'd initially booked camping, then switched to one of the large cabins because heavy rain was expected. It cost $290, and they kindly didn't charge us tax. The rooms are pretty and fun, though not especially well equipped, which is somewhat understandable for a hippie place. At that price, a little soap or shampoo would've been nice. The bar prices are steep. I paid $16 for a double vodka mate. Later we sat with one beer each on some seats, and staff asked us to leave the bar patio with our own drinks. Fair enough, we moved beyond the ropes, but then they asked us to move again, so we went back to our cabins. It felt silly. We only had one beer, and I think we might have bought another drink if we'd stayed at the bar. It feels like somewhere that used to be cool, then got bought by new owners who are trying to squeeze money out of everything. I'm glad I saw what it's like, but next time I'd probably skip it and save the money.