SOWELL RESIDENCES Les Hameaux

The price felt far too high for what we got, and I’m disappointed enough to say these were probably my first and last holidays with Sowell. The place barely matched the photos on the Sowell website. Apart from the bathroom, the pictures didn’t reflect the accommodation at all. It looked dated and untouched by renovation, much like other reviews have said. There was just one main room, so it felt like we were sleeping in the kitchen beside a very old, noisy fridge. The front door scraped along the floor and was hard to open or shut. Cleaning was poor too: dusty counters and stovetop, clumps of dust on the floor, and hair in the bathroom. Our room was a long way from the common areas, and getting there meant passing bins that smelled and had been left unlocked. We’d bought a leisure pass but had trouble getting to the scheduled activities. I also ran into problems making payment through the booking service.

Unit 905 made our stay a real ordeal. It was old, dirty, and badly maintained. They said it had been cleaned, but there were cobwebs and dust, and the toilet smelled strongly of urine. The terrace was so filthy that we wouldn’t even step onto it. The window handle was broken, and someone had drilled a hole in the window and rigged up a threaded rod and chain as a makeshift lock. It’s shameful to put vacationers in a place like that. The grounds need work too, with potholes and broken walkway tiles. The interiors and exteriors need urgent renovation before more guests arrive. I’d ask the managers to stay in these units themselves for a few days and see the conditions firsthand. We’ve stayed with Sowell before and had a very good experience, which makes this one feel especially far below the brand’s standards. Reception and bar staff were the bright spot. They were friendly, helpful, and very pleasant. The food was decent, though restaurant staff should clear tables sooner. And the region itself is beautiful.

The rooms were the big letdown during our week in August on an all-inclusive plan. Rooms 905 to 910 need a complete renovation, floors to ceiling, and the bathrooms and access routes are in a really treacherous state. Hygiene and cleaning need much stricter attention too. I hope the people in charge read this, because the site deserves better. There were some great people looking after us despite the problems with room cleanliness and access. Valentin at reception was empathetic and quick to respond every time, and Nassim at the bar always greeted people with a smile and a kind word. Jacqueline in the restaurant kept clearing plates and making countless trips, always smiling. She deserves real credit. The whole restaurant crew and the cooks did a lovely job all week. The food was delicious and there was plenty of choice.

The rooms get very noisy at night, and I could hear everything happening in the neighboring apartment. The bathtub also felt slippery and unsafe. Inside, there was a foul smell from the pipes, with insects crushed on the walls. Outside, the grounds were poorly kept, with cobwebs and all sorts of bugs, frogs, bedbugs, and dog droppings. The residence is very old and dirty. The service and meals, though, were very good. The staff were friendly, and there was a wide range of food.