Les Vanilliers

A beautiful eco lodge.

The bungalow was clean and the welcome warm, but the condition of the place left me uneasy. There are several things that seem unsafe: a noisy, outdated fan, a torn and dirty chair cushion, a window coming apart, and a tabletop detached from its legs. Around the pool, stone slabs are loose and the water looks greenish. The property is clearly deteriorating and needs a major renovation. Only the bungalows at the front have a view. The others look out over the rooftops of the bungalows in front.

A nice option for a short stay, maybe three nights at most. The cold pool is small but pleasant. It's not the best place we've stayed, though we would still return because it's a little higher up, so the temperatures are cooler, and the price is below current holiday rates. The price may suit the general public, but it reflects the service. Cleanliness wasn't great: there was dust, dirty kitchenware, and cutlery with dried food on it. The ladder to the upstairs beds is narrow and steep, like a treehouse ladder from childhood, so seniors should be careful. The bungalows are packed close together and have no soundproofing. If someone is noisy, getting to sleep is impossible.

The hosts were really friendly and helpful. Each bungalow has a little terrace with a great view, plus a small kitchen stocked with dishes and cutlery, a microwave, and a refrigerator. There's no air conditioning. The beach is only a short drive away, and you can easily reach several mountain viewpoints and waterfalls by car.