Les Fermes De Pinpin

I visited the property in October, though I haven’t stayed there, and found it truly spectacular. Pinpin is a delightful, welcoming host, and the accommodation has been designed with real flair. The "fermes" feel like their own little world in the Vosges Mountains, while Colmar and Alsace’s charming villages are still only a few miles away. A real gem in Eden-like surroundings.

The setting is fantastic, but that’s the only thing I liked. The accommodation is very expensive for how outdated it is. The mattresses sag, the bathroom ceilings are low, and the windows don’t open or close properly. The price just doesn’t match the quality.

We were first won over by the view and the complete quiet. The living area seemed charming, and the beds and bathrooms were clean and inviting. But a longer look changed our impression. The listing says you rent an entire property with a pool, but there are actually three separate units, so privacy and peace aren’t assured. The pool described as private belongs to the landlord and is around 200 meters from the house. When we arrived, we were told children must not make noise or jump in the pool area. That’s absurd for a place advertised as family-friendly with a pool. There’s clutter everywhere: old milk cans, bowls, figurines, porcelain, and other odds and ends. It leaves almost no clear surface and isn’t practical or child-friendly. The dining room carpet was extensively soiled with mouse droppings, which points to poor hygiene. Outside, the seating was badly worn and partly moldy, and a leaking roof made it unusable. The outdoor electrical system also didn’t work. What first looked like a charming home with a promising view didn’t meet the listing’s promises or basic expectations for cleanliness and family-friendliness.

We had a wonderful, peaceful getaway and would love to come back. The view is magnificent, and the house and its hosts both feel warm and welcoming. It’s tastefully decorated and very well equipped, with inviting dining areas and separate bedrooms and bathrooms that work well for a gathering of friends or family.