Une Chambre en Ville

"A Masterclass in Misrepresentation – Avoid at All Costs Our experience with this guesthouse was so disappointing that we decided not to stay and found alternative accommodation in Saintes, where we received the warm welcome we had originally expected. The first warning sign was the entrance. Rather than an inviting reception, you're faced with an unappealing door tucked away on a pedestrian shopping street. Gaining entry proved frustrating because the intercom simply didn't work. Once we eventually made contact, we were greeted not with hospitality but with a lecture about not speaking French, being told we should do so "whilst in France." It was an unnecessarily rude and dismissive introduction. The property's advertising also raised serious concerns. It is promoted as "No Pets Allowed" and allergy-free, yet the landlady's dog was wandering freely around the accommodation. As my wife suffers from a dog allergy, this was completely unacceptable and contradicted the very reason we had chosen the property. We were also surprised to discover that access to the outdoor breakfast terrace required climbing onto a stool and then climbing out through a window. This struck us as both inconvenient and potentially unsafe. The listing also advertises air conditioning. In reality, what we saw was a fan and an evaporative cooler. That is simply not the same thing and gives a misleading impression of the facilities on offer. The décor looked more like a cluttered charity shop or junk store than a welcoming guesthouse. Rather than rustic charm, it gave the impression of years of accumulated furniture and ornaments with little thought to comfort or presentation. Taken together, the inaccurate advertising, the presence of a dog despite the "no pets" and allergy-free claims, and the hostile welcome left us with no confidence that our stay would be enjoyable. We chose to leave immediately and booked alternative accommodation elsewhere in Saintes, where we received the friendly welcome we had hoped for. Despite not staying, we have still not received a refund of the £100 we paid in advance. At the time of writing, we remain out of pocket and are not optimistic that this will be resolved. Based on our experience, we cannot recommend this property."