Residence La Cote D'emeraude, Saint-cast-le-guildo, Terraced House for 4 People

The setting and pool worked well for our group: La Mare beach is right below, the GR34 trail is directly accessible, and the heated pool gave us something to do if the weather turned. The accommodation is dated and a little worn, but it was perfectly usable. For kids under 4, though, there’s no paddling pool and the water is deep, so they need close supervision. The food and reception side was a letdown. A meal was mistakenly put down as ordered for our group of 8 families, 15 adults and 17 children, and we were charged for one person’s Saturday dinner even though we reported on Friday at 5 pm that they wouldn’t be there. Two friends, with a child, asked to join our group of 32 for a meal and were turned away. Then our Sunday morning pastry order was forgotten. They offered defrosted mini pastries from the buffet instead, and charged us for those. The rental was fine for its location and pool, but that was about it.

The pool was a real plus, warm and kept clean throughout. We also liked the friendly staff, the activity leaders and the range of things to do, which suited different ages and tastes. It was our first holiday village stay, and we had a pleasant week at this VVF. The location is extremely good if you’re looking for a proper break, which was just what we wanted. The accommodation felt small for six, and the cleaning was only superficial. There was quite a bit of dust on the furniture in the upstairs bedroom.

We were so disappointed that we left a day early. We’d stayed at other VVF villages and had a good experience, but this one was very different. On arrival the place wasn’t clean: the cupboards were dirty, the mop was wet, and the glass door had dirt and cobwebs. Some dishes were damaged, the bedding was poor, and the amenities weren’t practical. The fridge and kitchen cupboard were in the entrance hall beside the broom closet, which felt unhygienic. Though the accommodation was listed for four, the sofa bed only worked for two. There was just one small pan, and the shower temperature kept changing.

We had a lovely Christmas week at the VVF in St. Cast, and the three of us, a couple and our 6-year-old, will remember it fondly. The scenery felt magical, with the beach only 50 meters away and direct access to the GR hiking trail. The town center is a 10-minute walk. Staff were lovely and professional, and we happily joined in the activities. Thanks to the entertainment team! The full-board food suited us, and Christmas Eve dinner was very good. The pool was warm and the hammam did the job. A couple of things to keep in mind: the stairs in the accommodation are steep, so take care. It was very cold at Christmas this year and the rooms could feel chilly, though a portable heater was available. Mobile coverage is unfortunately absent if you’re not with Orange, and the club Wi-Fi isn’t good enough for remote work. We had no work to do during our 7 days, so we took a little digital break. Perfect, I’ll be back!