Orient Village

A lovely spot in the countryside, close to both a forest and a lake.

Generally, it was nice.

We booked two cottages next to each other for ten people apiece for a family gathering. The park around them is quiet and well kept, and Lake Orient is very close. The children could play safely there. The equipment and cleanliness were disappointing. The kitchenettes are tiny and barely stocked. There’s just one outlet for the microwave, coffee maker, and kettle, and we couldn’t find a can opener. The ovens worked poorly, took a long time to heat, and were so dirty that one look put us off using them. We also had only three dishwasher tablets per cottage for the first three days. With ten people in each, we ran the machines after every meal, so we asked for three more per cottage and were given them. The bathrooms were especially cramped and not clean enough. Each has a toilet built in, and there are no hooks. We had to request the four bath mats the day after arriving, since there were none when we booked. In our bedroom there was only one outlet, no bedside table or place to hang or store clothes, and a broken wall light. The mattress and pillow protectors also weren’t changed between rentals. For a three-day weekend this might be acceptable, but not for a longer stay. Both large cottages need a thorough renovation and a deep clean after winter and between rentals.

The location itself is pleasant, which makes the state of the place such a shame. There are unpleasant smells and a general sense that it’s been abandoned, with no real maintenance. It was filthy, especially the bathrooms, kitchen, and toilets, which seemed neglected for a long time. The grout was black with mold, the floors were sticky, and the windows were opaque. We had to wash the dishes as soon as we arrived because they had flies, greasy food, and cobwebs on them. There was even food left in a refrigerator.