I have seriously considered not posting a review, considering that any review posted is directly affecting this family's income, however I do feel the need to describe a bit more what this cycling lodge is like, so as to set the right expectations for other travelers. I use TripAdvisor for all my future holiday plans and base my bookings on the opinions that are left by other travelers, hence the reason I do feel it is important to stretch positives and negatives (or suggestions) for this particular accommodation. I do have to say I am surprised there are not more reviews, considering the amount of people that pass through the Pyrenees Cycling Lodge.
Positives:
- Olive is very welcoming
- Both breakfast and diner is included in the price. Food is good and I appreciated that Olive took into account my dietary restrictions because of health problems.
- Large parking just in front of the accommodation
- Located in quiet village
- Located between Col d'Aubisque and Tourmalet and Hautacam is closeby as well, short drive by car from Lourdes
- Nice views from room
- Clean
- Breakfast and diner with other cyclists from different nationalities, which is a fun way to share experiences.
- Breakfast with fresh croissants and pains au chocolat (although last day the croissants seemed to be left overs from the day before that were warmed up).
Negatives /suggestions:
- Village doesn't have shop or bakery, which means you need to go down to the next village (Argelès Gazost), which is about 2,5km away down hill. Argelès has bakeries, a few restaurants and a small Carrefour.
- Car needed to get around
- The finishing of the accommodation was a bit poor, garden not maintained, linoleum in bathroom, laminate room not finished properly... I know that this type of rooms tends to be very standard in both the Pyrenees and the Alps, but I do believe that a bit more effort could be made to change it from just so-so, to something memorable
- The pillows were horrible, I believe they are washed regularly, which means that the inside is completely destroyed and you are sleeping on lumps.
- No information available on road works or possible rides with directions on where they start. I know internet is available, but it is not always straight forward, maybe take this into consideration as a suggestion? We only found out that the way to Saint Sauveur was blocked because another cyclist told us.
- bathroom was very tiny without fan or window, couldn't enter both of us, although might depend on room.
- no curtains in front of window, and we didn't dare to close the shutters since there was a climber covering the wall and part of the shutter. Meant that we would wake up because of the sun at 6.30am.
- fixed time for breakfast (8am) and diner (6.30pm),
I think you need to be aware that this property has 2 dogs. They are not allowed upstairs and are closed out during breakfast and diner, but otherwise they roam through the ground floor of the house although I can imagine they wouldn't be allowed in the kitchen.
I honestly found it such a shame that no more attention was being paid to the maintenance of the property itself, it would make such a huge difference (in my eyes). The house itself is beautiful as are the surroundings, it could just do with a little bit more care to make this truly exceptional besides the food and the company.
