Odalys Résidence Les Dunettes

Our apartment was well equipped, with a kitchen corner that had a toaster, kettle, pod coffee machine, and dishwasher. We stayed in a duplex with spacious bedrooms, one of them with a built-in closet. The entry closet had all the basics, including a vacuum, broom, and storage space. The bathroom was large, though the shower might feel a little narrow if you’re tall. The residence also has a laundry room and rents out some equipment, such as a raclette appliance and barbecue. Our apartment had a balcony overlooking the tennis courts, and the surroundings were generally quiet. The outdoor pool is there too, though it’s a shame it looks onto the parking lot. Staff were welcoming and cheerful, although a bit more kindness toward young children would have been appreciated. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the beach and town center, where there are restaurants, shops, a bakery, and casino. Each apartment gets a parking space, and street parking is also possible, free on some streets. The main thing to improve is cleanliness: the walls need freshening up, with grease marks and scuffs, and the sofa and extra bed weren’t perfectly clean. Bed and bath linen are provided, along with a cleaning kit, but for a longer stay you may want to bring extra supplies.

We had a pleasant weekend here in November. Shops are a short walk away, and the sea is at the end of the street. The staff were friendly and attentive, and our accommodation was quiet, clean, and spacious. The only downside was the welcome kit: there was no sponge or dish soap, just one dishwasher tablet.

The grounds are kept in great shape, and having one parking spot for each apartment was handy when we got back late. The residence is also in a great spot, near shops, the beach, and other amenities. We were four, two adults and two children, in a ground-floor two-bedroom apartment. The kitchen was frustrating. There was no oven, and the ceramic hob took so long to heat that even pasta needed almost an hour. The fridge wasn't working properly either, which makes me wonder what it would be like in summer. The bathroom towels seemed sized for children. At over 1.70 metres tall, neither of us adults could dry off with one towel, and there wasn't a hairdryer. The biggest issue was my €300 deposit cheque. At checkout, the receptionist said it would only be returned after we left, without saying when. That's never happened to us at other ODALYS places, where someone checked the apartment and returned the deposit at reception. Here, she could have checked the apartment and handed the cheque back, but just repeated that this was the policy with a big ironic smile. I found that really unsettling. We've stayed in other ODALYS residences before, and this one in Cabourg only has five buildings. Have a good trip to Cabourg!

The residence is cute and in a good location. The mattress, though, is much too soft and gives me back pain pretty quickly. The paint needs attention, and although our balcony opens straight onto the stairs, a small closable gate would help keep our pet in.