Gîtes Vallée des Nestes-Louron

Christmas 2020. The quiet and surroundings at Gîte Claou were pleasant, but the practical side of the stay was difficult. There was no parking where the listing said there would be, and getting around the gîte meant repeated climbs and descents each day, especially when we ate in the living room. Some places, including the bathroom and the stairs on the second floor, were too low to stand upright. The first-floor bathroom was also very small. The single beds were uncomfortable for adults, and the hot water gave out after three showers a day. We tried the forced setting on the water heater, but it did not work. The Wi-Fi could not manage five people, and there was no mobile signal. The electric heating cost was staggering: 543 kWh, or €107 for 4 days. I had noticed the listing mentioned some free kilowatts, but I never saw a warning that heating might cost so much or an explanation why. Some radiators felt like toasters, and the size of the cottage and drafts seemed likely to add to energy loss. We had to check the vacuum cleaner bag too. When I read your reply on 11/01/21, I felt it seriously misrepresented what happened, though I understand you were not there. I had already paid for the stay through Abritel and had a contract with them well before arriving. Then, at your initiative, a contract from Gîtes de France arrived saying I needed to pay the balance on arrival. That surprised me since I had already paid, and the amount was different. I never got an answer about it. We arrived with two cars as planned, with five adults, not four teenagers, on December 21st in the late afternoon, and there was no snow. It only came during the night of the 24th. Ms. J. suggested parking on the steep slope beside a house near the gîte, not in a garage. I quickly abandoned that after damaging my clutch. The listing says there is a private space for 2 cars, 30m from the cottage, but that was not what we found. The cottage had been preheated, if anything too much. You kindly arranged the Christmas tree as I requested, and I brought my own decorations. The nativity scene was put up too, though I had not asked for that. Please keep in mind that guests may not be believers, may not practise a religion, or may follow another one. I emailed you about the phone network and Wi-Fi as soon as we arrived, on Monday, December 21st at 5:42 PM, not the following evening. I do not know the terms of your contract with Orange; as a tenant, I expect the advertised service to work fully, or to be told otherwise. The next day, at 7:15 PM, I emailed rather than called because there was no signal. I was trying to reach Ms. J. for extra firewood. I still have nine failed messages and calls to her on my phone, made while searching the hamlet for a signal from 4:08 PM to 6:47 PM on December 22nd. Ms. J. arrived around 8 PM. There was still no snow. When leaving, I was so taken aback by the electricity charge that it was hard to accept payment without understanding the reason. And about the sink, yes, we could stand in front of it, but only the sink. As for the beds, apparently I must have non-standard adult children. Regards

The Nestes valley is gorgeous, and the cottage is magnificent. It was just right for recharging. Thanks to the owner!

The dinner tasted good, though the wine selection wasn't really wine.

I'd happily come back to this great place.