Vacancéole - Les Bastides de Fayence

The houses at Les Bastides de Fayence have kitchens, living spaces and private gardens or terraces, with room for groups of 4 to 8. The grounds are spacious and private, with parking, WiFi, and a pool that is open from May to late September. Pets are welcome too. It’s in Tourrettes, among the hilltop villages of the Pays de Fayence, with the scenery and historic sites nearby. Groceries, restaurants, bakeries, gas stations and small shops are close, Lac de Saint-Cassien is next door, and the beaches are 32 km away. There’s plenty in the area to explore, and the setting makes for a relaxing stay in the Côte d'Azur. The property itself could use some general maintenance and fresh paint in places. Fans in the rooms would help in warmer weather, and newer furniture and decor could make the homes feel more inviting. It’s a comfortable place with a convenient location and useful amenities, though those updates would improve the experience.

There are two lovely pools for cooling off, plus a playground for children, and the reception staff were very helpful. Our apartment was spotless, in a safe and secure setting, and had everything we needed for a self-catering holiday. The location also works really well for exploring Provence, with hill villages and the sea nearby. It was excellent value, and I’d recommend it.

The pools were a problem: one was swarming with wasps, while the other had slippery mould around it and dirty water where you walked in, supposedly to clean your feet. Inside, the apartment had no jug or toaster, an odd mix of kitchen utensils, and no detergent, cleaning products or dishwasher tablets. The cleaning kit at reception cost 15 euros, which felt far too expensive. The shower was broken and the facilities overall were poor. We arrived a little early and were made to wait five hours with our three small children and all our luggage in heat above 35 degrees. They wouldn’t store our bags, and there was no understanding or compromise. At check-in, we asked about the free WiFi stated in our booking, but were told we had to pay even after pointing that out. Other owners in the complex also said it was badly managed, with charges for everything. One family at reception was charged 5 euros a night to use a cot. Most of all, the reception staff were rude and arrogant. We’ve just come back from Les Bastides de Fayence in Tourrettes and had a terrible stay. We would never book there again, and we’ve told our friends to look elsewhere. The worst accommodation we’ve ever had. Do not stay here.

A good spot for families, with two pools and a location close to the airport.