Thank you for your second review, for this particular week, and I am sorry to hear of your comments/complaints but I would like the opportunity to reply to you. You state a car is needed here ? yes , as stated on our website - and that our drive is half a mile long yes it is, but my only option about this is to either move the house towards the road or ask the local council to re-direct the road nearer the house. Yes a facetious answer, but what do you want me to do ? We regard the drive not only as an added feature to the property but also extra security ( from the road ) Re food space we thought there was enough cupboard space in the kitchen for food etc ? but I take this on board for review. With regard to your welcome of flying ants ? these are not our pets ? you never know when we will get a visit from any type of insect ? ( as in the UK ) hence we keep an insect spray on hand in case a problem should arise On booking, you requested a spare bed for your young son and I gave the option of blow-up or camp and you opted for blow-up, which on your arrival I asked if this was pumped up enough for you or if you wanted more air in it - you said that it was ok ! But then you wait to say in the review it was not pumped up enough and your son kept falling out I cannot understand why did you not ask me to pump it up some more rather than your son keep falling out ? and then wait to enter this in the review. The leaflets that were left for you gave a idea of local attractions and chateaux etc which you state were mainly in French, well what can I say, you are in France !!! We do try to put leaflets in English when available. Some leaflets you say were dated, however, the buildings etc are still the same and have been for hundreds of years, many of our guests have already via internet etc got a good idea of where they are going to visit before they get here, failing all else there are many tourist offices here including Le Lude. The washing line and clothes airer in each Gite I thought was enough, but again I shall take this on board. You say that the woodland walk is not finished ? I don?t understand this as our ?woodland walk? finishes on the boundry of our land ? which is approx 18 acres and all past guests said they liked the walk in our back garden ( we are not the forestry commission ) - You say that the shower leaked ? well, we have upgraded all four showers which are now much larger than before and this must be a plus for you. And new mattress have also been installed. You say that there were no clean towels or tea towels. This I am afraid was not true. We have professional cleaners each week for the changeover who re-equip the Gites every week. The tea towels are in one of the kitchen drawers ( as stated in the welcome book ) and the main towels are in each bathroom ? and when I greeted you on your arrival ? if you required any more - or indeed required anything at all I am on site, please just ask. But to write after your visit to us that you did not have these items I think is somewhat of a cop-out because why did you not ask me during your stay? We met on several occasions during your week here and when asked if everything was ok you said all was good. To go on, you say that there is ?stuff? left in the Gite by previous occupiers I do not know what you mean by this what is ?stuff? ? Nothing is left by any previous guest. Finally from your catalogue of disasters you say there were no batteries in the tv remote ? batteries can discharge at any time and the guests who arrived after your visit did not have a problem ? but again ask and we would have been only too pleased to renew the batteries or indeed anything such as a blown light bulb etc etc. We are not psychic we do not know if anything is required during the week unless you tell us ? otherwise it is not until the end of week at changeover time that we find out if anything is required and will be maintained. The plunge pool in the garden does from time to time have leaves fall into it, that is why there are a number of items including a leaf collector by the pool for you to help yourself to remove any debris etc. However you say that your son contracted an ear infection which you attribute to the pool. Many people used the pool this year without any type of infection of any kind. Lastly I do not put soap or any toiletries into the Gites because I believe this to be personal to each guest and products are not suited by all.
We are not unapproachable although I feel that I may be sounding like Basil Fawlty in response to this somewhat damaging review - but in fact quite the opposite - we are here to help you in any way we can as your happiness and comfort during your stay here with us is our main concern, as it is of course our business, and which brings many of our guests returning to us each year ! I would just like to end this marathon by saying that I did want to answer your questions/complaints and we do welcome any comment so that we can keep a good standard here at La Huttiere. However, I do point out to you that we never ever want to lose a guest but our Gite ? as with all Gites is a SELF catering experience and not a Hotel which I feel that you may be better off visiting in the future.
All bookings are direct with the owner 