Gite St Nicolas

We were really looking forward to our weekend with friends after seeing the photos, but the stay was a huge disappointment. The house was extremely dirty: the kitchen was unhygienic, the jacuzzi was brown, and the rooms were dusty. The furniture was rickety, several things were broken, the freezer didn’t work, and some door handles were missing. We spent the weekend cleaning before we could use anything. We were also told three days before arrival that using the sauna and jacuzzi would cost an extra 150 euros, even though the website said they were included. We declined, but the owner said the jacuzzi heater had already been switched on, so we had to pay anyway. When we raised our disappointment afterward, the owner was extremely rude and impolite and didn’t listen to our complaints. We’d never stay here again, and I don’t recommend it.

Our group had a lovely time together, which was mostly what made the stay enjoyable. The gite is spacious and set up for a large group, but it needs renovation and a proper clean. The kitchen was incredibly dirty. We had to wash the plates, cutlery, and glasses thoroughly before using them, and the coffee maker had brown water when we cleaned it. The jacuzzi looked like a plus, but it was extremely dirty, cost an extra 150 euros, and didn’t reach the right temperature until the second day. The barbecue also needed a deep clean and was too small for our group. The pool table might have been nice, but the cue tip wasn’t in good shape. The stove works well, though finding pots and pans that fit took quite a while. We slept in the room beside the kitchen, which was fine as long as we could close the door. When we discussed the problems with the owner, they didn’t listen.

The owners’ response bothered us most. A little understanding would have helped, and a calm conversation goes a long way. We looked up the booking site reviews afterward and found the same problems mentioned by people who had stayed more than a year earlier, so these issues are still there. We were excited to find a cozy cottage with room for a large group, a spacious kitchen, billiard table, jacuzzi, and sauna. Instead, we started the weekend washing dishes left dirty by previous visitors, including someone else’s chocolate residue. The toilet handle also fell off when we went to close the door. There was plenty of kitchen equipment, but more than half the pots and pans didn’t work on the induction hob, so finding one that fit took some effort. The jacuzzi cost an extra 150 euros, which hadn’t been clear when booking, and had dirty water and didn’t reach the right temperature. Playing billiards was difficult too because the cue tip was faulty. It could be such a nice cottage if it were properly renovated and cleaned.

The house is in a beautiful spot and would be ideal for a weekend in the Champagne region, if you can put up with quite a few things. The owners are still in denial and believe nothing is wrong, that the problem lies with us. The kitchen doesn’t function well: you have to search for a pot that fits the stove, and it needs a serious clean, with dirty glasses, chocolate on the cutlery from previous visitors, and dirty cupboards. The house is generally dirty. The BBQ was dirty too and needed a good clean before use. There are also bedroom doors that don’t lock, and a toilet handle that comes off in your hand as you close the door. The modern shower’s spray nozzle needs descaling so water can flow properly. Using the jacuzzi and sauna costs an extra 150 euros, and the jacuzzi doesn’t reach the right temperature until the second day. To get to it, you have to walk over soaked, dirty artificial grass.