Jasserie Les Airelles

The yurt was a lovely, unusual place to stay, with good bedding and insulation. Even at -4°C outside, the heating kept it comfortable. Breakfast was generous and made with quality products, and the welcome was warm. The owner was friendly, though it seemed like he was looking after everyone on his own. We were greeted in the snow at the mountain pass where the yurt sits, and the service was excellent. We booked with a Smartbox gift voucher, but the check-in time of 6 pm or later and check-out before 10 am felt restrictive. The cleaning could have been more thorough. The private toilet and shower are in the gîte a few meters away, and they're very small and inconvenient.

The yurt felt poorly cared for. It was damp, smelled really unpleasant, and hadn't been cleaned well. There was no view, and the lighting was so dim that playing games in the evening was difficult. I wasn't convinced by the eco-friendly claim either: there were two toaster-like electric heaters, and breakfast didn't seem to use local products. The organic yogurt was supermarket-bought, and the jam, croissants, and slice of bread left me wondering if they were local. We'd received the stay as a Christmas gift, and honestly, I wouldn't have booked it myself. The welcome drink was apricot juice, apparently from a supermarket carton, which we had to gulp down in about 20 seconds in reception before the manager showed us to the yurt. He seemed very fussy and always in a hurry, as if he had something else to do. Although check-in was supposed to be from 6 pm, he let us arrive around 5 pm, as I later saw he'd done for others in reviews. He asked us to stop by before leaving and tell him how it went, but we didn't dare, so we just left. That's it.

Getting there was difficult by car because the road was poorly maintained and low-clearance vehicles may struggle. The place itself felt mediocre, and the price didn't seem justified. The name may be misleading, since it didn't match what I'd expect from a bed and breakfast. It was just a poor room without the service the name suggests, and breakfast cost as much as at a 4-star hotel. Friends who'd stayed there confirmed our impression when we talked about our recent vacations.

Dinner and breakfast were delicious, and we had a wonderful welcome. We spent a night in a yurt at Jasserie les Airelles and loved it. The setting was idyllic and incredibly peaceful, and the yurt itself was magnificent. A truly lovely experience!