Camping le Montourey

The entertainment was fun, and there was dancing and something happening in the pool regularly. The two slides kept the kids busy, and although the restaurant and entertainment area are small, the food was really good and reasonably priced. The show was about what you'd expect at a small site, but we enjoyed it. It took us a day or two to warm to the place. At first it felt cramped and small, but our impression changed once we tried the facilities. The pool area is spotless, and the lifeguards are attentive. At first we found the ban on ball games and inflatables in the main pools annoying, but it actually made swimming much more pleasant, without getting hit by balls or bumped by inflatables. Even when it was busy, we always managed to get a sunbed or a seat. Someone would offer at least one so we didn't have to sit on the floor. The staff were friendly and took the time to make themselves understood, even though not many spoke fluent English. We thought the site and facilities were good enough that we'd rebooked for next year before we left.

The grounds at Le Monterey are clean, organised and well maintained, but the location and accommodation weren't the best for us. The site seems mainly set up for French families with children aged 0-11, many of whom return regularly. There were very few families from other countries. Much of the accommodation is privately owned and let through Siblu as agent, in an Airbnb-like arrangement. Our cabin was a letdown on arrival. Cabins may have similar layouts, but owners personalise them, so the style and equipment can vary a lot. Ours felt cramped and cluttered, inside and out, with extra furniture, pictures, personal photos and soft furnishings. The floor wasn't clean, and the veranda was shabby, cluttered with dead plants, tatty artificial turf and a makeshift bar. It felt like being in someone else's personal space, which made us uncomfortable. It didn't have the welcoming, practical, relaxing feel you'd expect from a professionally run holiday let. The beds weren't made up with mattress or pillow protectors, and there weren't even pillows. There was very little storage, so finding space for our luggage was difficult. No equipment list was provided, so we had to search cupboards for basics like a kettle, toaster and bin. Our cabin had a small countertop dishwasher, microwave, top-loading washing machine, vacuum cleaner and coffee machine, but some appliances may not have manuals. The larger white goods also took up a lot of room in an already very restricted space. Owners renting out their cabins need to remove personal clutter before guests arrive. Siblu should make sure all its accommodation meets consistent professional standards for layout, style, equipment and cleanliness. We also weren't told the opening hours for the shop, pool, restaurant or reception, or given an entertainment timetable or suggestions for nearby places and amenities. We later found an online app, but nobody had mentioned it to us. The site itself is well kept, orderly and reasonably clean, but its location can feel isolating, and the entertainment rather dreary. The accommodation standard also made it feel uninviting. Guests who prefer being around people of a similar nationality may find it solitary, and teenagers are likely to get bored. We stayed for a week and mostly used the site as a base, but found it hard to properly relax. Local sights, restaurants, beaches and marinas aren't easy to explore on foot or by local transport. It also means you can only have an alcoholic drink on site if you're willing to drive.

We were there for a few days with two teenagers, and it wasn't easy. There's no connection from the major French telecom providers, so you're forced to pay for the campsite internet, which is a total rip-off. The pool activities are overpriced and crowded too. We had to go out for activities with the teenagers.

The evening entertainment was the clear highlight. The receptionists were a bit moody and not very helpful, but it's a great place to bring kids and enjoy a nice evening listening to music.