Les Cottages du Saleys - Casalys 3p 6p

We booked one of the cottages in February for August and kept in touch with the establishment in the meantime. After a five-hour drive, we got a call at the agreed arrival time saying the accommodation couldn't be used after all because of damage. At the property, the woman there didn't even greet us. We asked for an explanation and to see the accommodation, but she refused. When we pressed, she seemed uncomfortable and avoided the subject. We came away thinking they'd forgotten our booking and rented the place to someone else. They found us somewhere at the campsite, so we tried to be grateful, while apparently waiting for us to thank them. It's a shame to spoil someone's vacation and then take no responsibility.

The family was happy with the week, and that's what matters to me. We stayed in the cottage with our two children. There were plenty of thoughtful efforts from our host Graziella and her colleagues, who handled the interviews. They offered to do laundry for the children, brought a barbecue, and let the baby nap on the sofas in the air-conditioned reception area. It gets hot in the Basque country, and unfortunately the cottage itself has no temperature control. They gave us products to fight the mosquitoes, probably from the golf course opposite, and arranged for someone to deal with ants coming in under the door. That was sorted the same day. They also suggested places to visit. My daughters loved spending time cuddling her dogs. Thank you for all that. The cottage is still a vacation rental, with limited clothes storage and a small fridge and oven. A standard TV worked well with the Wi-Fi and the TV stick I brought. There was a dishwasher, tablets, soap, and dishwashing liquid, which isn't always provided elsewhere. You don't need to bring food, but you do need to bring towels or pay for them. It's not an Air B&B. The town center is 600m away, and a small crossroads is a two-minute walk along a wooded path. To explore the Basque Country and its small towns, you'll need a car.

This was disappointing, and even at a low price it felt too expensive. The cottage was dirty in the corners, and the stair railing was sticky. There wasn't enough storage for dishes and groceries, and an oven took up space on the dining table. The internet couldn't reliably run the TV, despite TV being listed among the included services. No condiments, coffee, or sugar were provided for the first morning. Every service is optional, even sheets, which you have to bring yourself to reception. You also have to walk 200m to the garbage containers, since vehicles aren't allowed in the residence. The bathtub sits under a slope and has no lifting handle, so an elderly person might be able to get in but not back out.

The Cottages have worked really well for my spa treatments. It's a 14-minute walk to the thermal baths, and the place is quiet, bright, and spacious, with two lovely terraces and a nice view over the golf course greenery. There's lots of storage in both the bedrooms and kitchen, and the kitchen is well equipped. Shopping is convenient too, thanks to the shortcut through the bamboo grove to the crossroads. Graziella gave us a warm welcome, too.