Chalet Ouréa

We were glad the other guests were friendly and chatty, because we barely had any interaction with the hosts. We tried to be open and pleasant right up to leaving, but after we thanked them, all we got was an “mmm, okay.” We didn’t feel welcome. Maybe they were offended that we chose to eat in town? Such a shame, especially as we’re organic farmers in Béarn and I run guesthouses in the Ossau Valley. We’d have had plenty to talk about. We’re not used to the bed-and-breakfast setup, but we had pictured a warm welcome and lively conversation. Instead, when we declined the set vegetarian menu and went out to dinner, the welcome felt cold and sour. The woman was in the kitchen, and we hardly saw her. The man came across as cold, nearly unpleasant, and at times rude. They showed no interest in us at all. The “bear” room is quite cute, though the bed was a bit hard for us. It seems to suit other people. The bathroom was a little shabby, with dirty grout and a wobbly faucet on the sink that had been installed upside down. None of that was too serious, and we probably wouldn’t have minded if the welcome had been warmer. 😕🤔

The breakfast was generous and made with local products, even though it was a stormy day and there was no electricity. The hosts were very attentive, and the location and surroundings were lovely. I found the bathroom clean, practical, and well equipped, with a large shower and rain shower head. Wi-Fi was easy to access. I slept well, though I wish the double bed had two mattresses. On my own, and at my size, I quickly ended up in a dip in the middle. The bedding was otherwise comfortable, so that’s a small detail. I didn’t have time to try the Nordic bath, maybe next time!

We spent four nights in the “Bear” room, right across from the breakfast room. Some soundproofing would help keep the mornings quieter. Apart from that, we had a very pleasant stay. It’s a good base for hiking, and breakfast was hearty, with local products.

The “bear” room was fantastic, and the view from it was incredible 😍. Breakfast and dinner were superb, with amazing products. Thanks so much for the warm welcome, and to your animals as well. We’ll definitely be back 😄 Aurélie and Anthony