Genial

Top

Nice and comfortable

Port du Guillaume is the harbour area of the small town of Dives sur Mer, however the seafront promenade of Cabourg is just a short walk over a footbridge, and Houlgate is a longer bracing walk along the shoreline. Dives town centre is about a 10 minute walk.

Location of the residence is good, right on the harbour/marina. A bit tricky to find by car, but not terrible. I think that there is private parking, but the free car park right outside is fine. There are a couple of ok restaurants really very nearby on the harbourside.

Our apartment was pretty much as expected, although a bit tired and dull. I have a big problem with the French style of separate bathroom and toilets with no hand washing facility in the toilet. I just see it as unhygienic and inconvenient, but it seems to be normal in France. The bathroom was miniscule with very little space for toiletries and other "stuff".

There is a pleasant outdoor pool with sun loungers and also a heated indoor pool. No English TV channels but that's ok. Small but well equipped kitchenette with filter coffee machine, hob, microwave etc but no oven.

Here comes the problem. Our apartment with balcony was just above an area used by staff to gather, chat, and smoke. This makes sitting on the balcony or even having the doors open almost impossible due to the noise and smoke. In fairness I did complain and it stopped, but only for a day or so until different staff were on duty. I found out that French law requires a smoking area to be provided for employees. Fine, but I would not stay here again unless I could be assured of accommodation well away from this area. Best apartments are probably at the front, South facing and overlooking the harbour.

This is not the best Pierre et Vacances that we have stayed at, but it was booked at short notice and was fairly cheap.

Great functional flat and so nicely decorated despite being in old building. Nicely located close to beach and so walkable to Cabourg and Dives. ??

Lift is a bit old and jumpy/unstable and it may cause concern to older guests / children. One day I put out my hand to keep it open for a guest who wanted to use it as I was about to go up. The doors kept closing so I removed my hand. I pressed the door opening button and it was fine. Everyone expect a lift to have a motion sensor nowadays so it may be a worthwhile investment to replace lift. My hand would have got stuck in the doors had I not removed it so quickly at the very last second. ?

We were unlucky with the weather so we were looking forward to use the great and big indoor swimming pool shown on the website which happened to be so small in size. Not adequate for the number of flats on the residence and probably does not meet safety requirements in terms of number of swimmers per M2 of water ?

Please note there are no lifeguards at the pools.

Good hygienic facilities at both pools and a proper safety gate and safety measures for the outside pool. ??

Lots of space for holiday items under the stairs. Beds really comfortable and sheets /quilts very comfortable / decent quality unlike other places. ??

Cleaning staff very nice.?? I had asked them if we needed to remove mattress protectors and pillowcases protectors and they said yes as in high season they would not have enough for all the flats. I had asked this as I did not want to give them extra work . This could also be included in the online handbook too so that it reduces the work of cleaning staff?

Directions to bins and glass recycling could be improved from Reception area. The kind person at Reception also gave too simplistic directions ("just there on the right") so that I thought they were located outside (you need to go through 2 separate doors). Bins are located in a room off a corridor with guest apartments so you would not immediately think that's where they are. I think additional signage is required from Reception area or near the lift. ?

The online facilities book is a great idea and so practical ??. It needs to be updated as directions to clean fully the kitchenware at the hottest dishwasher programme is not clear and relates to COVID times and are not required anymore as per Reception indicated. ?Please update the online handbook.

The cleaning kit is great and a nice touch. The 2 toilet rolls and bin bags were much appreciated too on arrival ??.

Reception is not open fully as per times indicated. ?On eve of departure on 7th Aug I went down to enquire about the need to put every items in dishwasher and wether to have it running at the time of check out. I went down at 18.50 to Reception and the shutter roller was already closed and the lady was leaving through the doors. Reception was supposed to be open for another 10 minutes! This is not proper customer service or the hours need to be amended and shared with guests.

Wifi did not work well for us.

As you enter the Reception via the steps there was often a string smell of tobacco / cigarettes.? It would be great if Reception staff could ask guests / visitors to not smoke at the entrance of the residence as it is not s good experience to smell this as you enter.? Maybe a small sign may be required too.

Early in our stay, I had a small query re noise of ventilation. The lady at reception kindly and quickly organised someone to reduce the noise of the ventilation in our kitchen. The maintenance staff came promptly and the man was very pleasant too. ??

One day I alerted the lady at Reception of a dangerous situation (a little boy was standing on a table on the terrace and looking over the balcony). The lady listened and asked me to show her and she took quick action with her colleague to visit the flat and talk to the patents to alert them and ask them to remove the table from the edge / the balcony. It is good to know staff reacted promptly and were as concerned as me. ??

Lovely stay overall - recommended ?