Maisonette by Hourtin-carcans Lake

The stay was positive, and there are lots of lovely markets around town and nearby to explore. The location is especially handy, close to the port, beach, and Île aux Enfants, which you can reach by bridge. There aren't many activities right at the accommodation, so it gives you a reason to get out and see the area. A few things could have been better, especially the welcome and the cleanliness of the accommodation, to make the experience more enjoyable.

We arrived to a filthy apartment, though the staff insisted it had been cleaned. I showed them photos of the dust and pointed out cobwebs everywhere and dead spiders. There was so much sand on the floor that walking barefoot wasn't possible. I complained to reception three times and even offered to let the staff clean it again, but they refused. Their excuse was that the sand and cobwebs had somehow come through the ventilation system. Seriously, they need a more believable explanation. The staff really lack customer service experience. They don't give you the "Odalys experience" and don't make you want to stay. They don't hand out the activities calendar unless you ask. They give you a set of keys with no explanation of what the second key is for, so you have to keep going to them for answers. They're not proactive. Hiring young people is fine, but at least train them. It can reach or even go above 40 degrees Celsius in the sun in this region, yet Odalys doesn't provide fans in the accommodation or even offer them for rent. The rooms are stifling. I obviously don't recommend this place. Avoid the half board option too, since their partner restaurant, "La Pêcherie," has service that's no better than Odalys.

The staff were friendly, and we got an excellent welcome. The gated community is great for children, who can play safely without cars passing through. The pool was clean, and the paddling pool was large enough for babies and children. The accommodation was laid out well, though there were a few minor annoyances: no bedroom storage apart from wardrobes, which was inconvenient; the baby bath in the kit wasn't suitable for use in the shower; several cobwebs hadn't been removed before we arrived; and some of the dishes weren't properly washed. These weren't deal-breakers, so I still recommend it.

It's 26 degrees and the children can't use the pool. The staff aren't welcoming, and the SPA is out of service. We booked a week here, and if I'd known, I wouldn't have booked with them. Disappointing.