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Original poster

Choose: big traditional gîte or smaller new one in cluster?

13 replies

jamaisjedors · 20/03/2010 14:59

We are going to the Dordogne/Lot area this summer and I have been scouring the web for places to stay.

DH wants something a bit bigger/more comfortable than a mobile home (in case the weather is bad, was last year I think) so most campsites are out.

Have narrowed our choice down to a beautiful looking gîte sharing a pool with 2 other houses, about 2.5k from a village, and a purpose-built gite in a cluster of 17 houses (round 2 pools), 800m from village and on the river-front.

Am I right in thinking that it will be a lot easier to not entertain DSs (3 and 5) with more people around (ie more choice of kids to play with)?

I am remembering horror stories from mn about people going to gîtes on their own with children.

What would you choose?

OP posts:
ChippyMinton · 20/03/2010 15:26

I'd ideally choose a private pool. Failing that, I'd go for the cluster. I'd be concerned that if we didn't hit it off with the other occupants it could be a nightmare. At least with 2 pools you could avoid people if necessary.

Original poster
jamaisjedors · 20/03/2010 17:02

That was one of my worries too Chippy, I thought with only a couple of families around, it would be very hard to avoid them if we didn't get on!

I definitely DON'T want a private pool, I don't like swimming in pools so don't see the point.

Also don't want to be isolated in our little nuclear family for another week!!

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MaryMotherOfCheeses · 20/03/2010 17:05

Personally I'd go for the cluster.

I wouldn't risk the idea again that DS might be on his own, after our not-great holiday in a beautiful gite.

MaryMotherOfCheeses · 20/03/2010 17:05

got a link? sounds lovely

Ruthiebabes · 22/03/2010 09:31

We stayed in a cottage complex in Wales last year, and children mixed so well that we actually had time to relax. It was fab.. just poor weather!!!

For that reason we have booked a gite complex in France this year, three other gites and ourselves. I found last year adults could keep themselves to themselves if they wanted to.. but if kids are happy it makes us happy!!!!

I would personally go for the cluster.

castille · 22/03/2010 09:39

Yes a cluster is definitely better IMO.

We have done both and the DC are much happier with other children about, it's lots more fun for them and therefore more relaxing for us.

Original poster
jamaisjedors · 22/03/2010 10:41

Tell me your horror story Marymotherofcheeses and I'll post the link!

here doesn't look much on the site but the nearby village looks lovely and it's just been taken over so they haven't re-done it yet. Apparantly there's a small bar/restaurant on site too. I would like more info about the accomodation though so am waiting for them to call me back.

Or :

3 gîtes together

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Original poster
jamaisjedors · 22/03/2010 10:44

Consensus looks like cluster being better (I think the 1st place will accomodate 100 people max. in total so hopefully a good chance that there will be kids the same age.)

I have just remembered that when we used to go to small self-catering complexes with my parents, our big worry (as children) was whether there would be other children around.

One year it was all boys (I was 9 or so at the time) and it really spoilt my holiday!

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MaryMotherOfCheeses · 22/03/2010 20:57

Well it wasn't really a horror story, it was just that we were in this gorgeous gite in the middle of nowhere, and since DS is an only it was really very lonely for him.

Only thing with those two places is that there's no comparison in the accommodation. The gites are gorgeous, whilst the bungalows look a bit peculiar! though I've never stayed in one so i'm no expert.

Original poster
jamaisjedors · 23/03/2010 07:42

I agree Mary about the accomodation.

There are absolutely tons of gorgeous-looking gîtes all over Dordogne, but as you say, in the middle of nowhere.

I'm hoping the gîtes are slightly more comfortable than a mobile home on a campsite, they are apparantly bigger (68m2 as opposed to 30ish for even the biggest mobile homes).

They have a dishwasher too!

I still haven't got hold of the owners, they also own this place which looks gorgeous but is full for the week we want.

I'm hoping that if they own somewhere as nice as that, that the accomodation will be reasonable too.

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Original poster
jamaisjedors · 25/03/2010 11:07

Changed our minds now and (nearly) booked something much nearer to the main sites we want to visit.

Have spoken to the owner on the phone who sounds lovely and runs a restaurant on site and organises canoeing trips/trips to a farm etc.

There are 20 houses on site (mobile homes and actual houses).

les hauts de lastours

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MaryMotherOfCheeses · 27/03/2010 11:35

That looks nice

Original poster
jamaisjedors · 28/03/2010 14:35

Thanks. Not sure the accomodation is going to be fantastic but there are so many things to do in the area that we should be able to do something each morning and then spend the afternoon at the river or at the pool.

The owner has children so that's a good start!

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