Gîte Maison d'Allouma

We had four lovely days at L'Orangerie, a clean, secluded place to recharge. The house has everything we needed, including a comfortable bed, a swimming pool, pétanque court and ping-pong, and the view is superb. The hosts were fantastic and welcoming. Even our dog didn't want to leave! Phone reception is limited, so this may not suit people who are constantly on their phones. For us, it was a good thing: no spam calls or anything else disturbing the peace of this exceptional spot.

I paid €620 in advance by bank transfer for five nights, but left after just one because the apartment smelled so strongly of mold. Even after I raised what I felt were completely understandable complaints, I wasn't given a partial refund. Please don't be taken in by the pretty photos of the Orangery: you might be put in the La Treille apartment, then have to spend a lot to find somewhere else at short notice. The place was filthy when I arrived. There were hairs from previous guests and dead flies on the floor, visible mold in a corner, and a living room carpet covered in crumbs and hair. I don't believe it had been vacuumed. The towels smelled musty, and the whole apartment had a revolting, unhealthy odor of mold and turpentine. The shower head was so clogged with limescale that it was nearly unusable, spraying water in every direction. The arrival was disorganized too. The owner said I couldn't check in before 5 p.m. because he had a lot to clean. When I got there, Alain said he'd completely forgotten that another couple was arriving that day, and still needed to iron the sheets even though they were already there. The location was horrible for me. Inland from St. Tropez, it was 5 degrees hotter than by the sea, the bakery was a 15-minute drive away, and the access road was mostly unpaved with lots of potholes. I absolutely wouldn't recommend these rooms.

We managed to mix work with a bit of pleasure in this lovely corner of France, and had a very pleasant short stay at the Orangerie. It's a peaceful, relaxing place in a magnificent setting, surrounded by nature, and well worth the visit. Marc and Alain gave us a wonderful welcome. Thanks again, we'll be back 😊

The warm welcome from my hosts made the stay feel truly special. It's a peaceful little haven surrounded by nature, while villages, amenities and the seaside are still just a stone's throw away. A slice of paradise on earth, and I recommend it 1000%!