Chalet Garcia

You can unwind with peaceful views of the rice paddies at this pleasant, rustic place. I was missing a few small things that would be useful on a weekend getaway, like toilet paper and kitchen towels, though those could be sorted out.

My daughter booked the place for a weekend, and we went there for a barbecue. The pool is great, and the house sits among rice paddies in a really peaceful setting.

The cottage was clean and the service was great, everyone was so friendly. They’d put in basics like pepper, salt, shampoo and conditioner, and if we needed anything, it was brought over straight away. In summer, the tiger mosquitoes are a real nuisance outside. Also, the bathroom and toilet door is too narrow for a wheelchair. They can bring a ramp if you want to get to the pool in your wheelchair, though. Every morning we woke up to a Hoopoe in the garden, which you don’t see in Belgium. There are loads of lovely animals around, including herons by the dozen, booted eagles, black ibises and other unusual birds. In the evenings, cute crayfish came onto the terrace.

The owner was very friendly and helpful, and the location is great. It’s a fantastic detached villa, with all the amenities, a large private pool and extensive grounds. The one small drawback is how secluded it is, so you’ll need to walk a bit or take the car.