Hébergements insolites - Détente en Luberon

The little barrel-shaped house is such a simple, clever idea, and the care in the details makes it comfortable too. The kids had fun, and the clean compostable toilet outside is a great eco-friendly touch.

We liked the furnishings, and the wooden barrel retreat sounded charming as an eco-friendly idea. But after two nights at Détente en Luberon in Viens, we left disappointed and wouldn't recommend it as it is now. The outdoor sitting area was overgrown with weeds. Basic facilities were also not what we expected: the "private bathroom" was just an outdoor shower, while the kitchenette had a single sink for everything, including brushing teeth and washing hands after using the toilet. The toilet was dry, and we had to empty it ourselves and put the contents on a compost heap. That wasn't clear in the listing. We also had to take our rubbish to the village. We were especially concerned about safety. There was no fire safety plan, smoke detector, extinguisher, fire blanket, or clearly marked escape route. Some outlets were hidden behind cushions, and a plug for the lighting was left hanging outside. For a wooden place rented commercially through Booking.com, that felt like a serious lack of basic safety and hygiene. We understand the sustainable holiday concept, but it shouldn't mean giving up those basics. Different standards apply to a commercial listing than to a private rental.

Even with the bad weather, we had a great time in the bubble and got to enjoy the Nordic bath a little. It felt properly secluded for two. Listening to the rain above us was lovely, and at night the stars and moon were a beautiful sight. Julie welcomed us warmly and was helpful and pleasant.

I was shocked by what the booking app called a "bathroom": it was an open-air shower and a composting toilet that I had to empty myself, with all sorts of "home-brewed" shampoo and soap because they were meant to be eco-friendly. What is this place meant to be, a rental or camping? The barrel is lovingly furnished and the view is dreamy, but the safety setup was alarming. There were no smoke detectors, fire extinguisher or fire blanket. Plugs and power cables hung loose outside, and the electrical system looked haphazard. The plot was quite overgrown, too, in a dry area. There were laminated lists everywhere telling guests what they "have to" do. I had to put on and remove the blankets and pillows, empty the bins, then carry the rubbish to a public collection point several minutes away. It feels like the owners would rather leave the work to guests. For so little in return, I might as well stay at a campsite, where it would be considerably cheaper.