Hotel De Plein Air Le Chanset

Nice campground and friendly staff, but the restrooms and showers were extremely dirty, like they hadn't been cleaned in a week. Given the pandemic we'd recently been through, I expected people to pay more attention to hygiene. There were signs everywhere telling guests to keep the facilities clean, and sure, it's important not to leave a mess. But staff need to clean the place with proper products first so visitors can keep it tidy. It seemed like nobody was responsible for cleaning. There wasn't any soap or toilet paper in the restrooms either. That's not acceptable for a campground charging 32 euros a night for a piece of land.

We were glad to have a choice of chalets, mobile homes and camping pitches, and our chalet was basic but did the job after days out exploring. The kids loved the playground, small pool and open space, and the place felt safe and relaxed with other families around. It's a peaceful, simple spot in nature, with lovely views in the foothills of the Auvergne volcanoes, yet just minutes from Clermont-Ferrand and places like Royat, Puy-de-Dôme and Vulcania. Shops, trails, paragliding and lakes are close by too, so it worked well as a base. There were a few drawbacks. The communal bathrooms and some chalets are showing their age and could use an update. Cleanliness was hit or miss, with some areas spotless and others less so, so more attention during high season would help. Depending on where you stay, things can feel a bit cramped. Kids playing late made one night noisy, though it was manageable overall. Wi-Fi mostly worked only by reception, which isn't great if you need to work remotely or stay connected. For a peaceful, no-frills break, Le Chanset is a good fit as long as you have realistic expectations. It's not a luxury resort, and it doesn't claim to be. Bring a flashlight, enjoy the fresh air and family time. We'd come back for the location, value and views. With some updates, it could be a hidden gem.

We had a nice stay overall. The cabin was small, but fine for our 4 nights, and the beds were comfortable with fresh linen. It got hot during the day, so fans in the cabins would help. The pool was a nice size. The restaurant menu was limited and it got very busy.

The site was clean and tidy, and the staff were friendly and helpful. It was also a great spot for cycling to Puy de Dome volcano, with a lovely pool. We needed a mechanic to assess our camping car, and they were happy to help. Super campsite, highly recommend!