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Reviews of our luxury cottages in Brittany

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Reviews for Jasmine Cottage

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“We have had a wonderful time relaxing here” - Nuri & James Arthur (with Thomas & Elizabeth) (Maidstone) October 2019
We have had a wonderful time relaxing here. We have enjoyed lovely food, autumnal colours, walks and just chilling out. Thank you, Simon for looking after us so well and being a really friendly host and allowing us to watch the Rugby world cup final in such comfort, and the jacuzzi tub is absolutely wonderful in October, even raining! Thank you.

“Lovely location very peaceful will definitely be back for another visit.” - Alli & Tony Reece, Jac & Rob Isaacs (Bristol) October 2019
Our first visit to this lovely cottage. We had a lovely stay very relaxing and cosy. Simon was a friendly host and very informative. Lovely location very peaceful will definitely be back for another visit.

“Jasmine Cottage is well equipped and extremely comfortable” - Georgina & Martin Barber (with Amelia) (West Sussex) October 2019
We have had a wonderful 10 day break staying in Brittany exploring nearby towns and the beautiful beaches. Jasmine Cottage is well equipped and extremely comfortable - we have all slept well including our 16 month old daughter!
Our arrival meal was delicious, and the welcome hamper was much appreciated.
Simon is a great host - on hand if you need him but also respects your privacy. Many thanks!

“A lovely time in this part of the world” - Fiona & Brian Eddleston (with Katherine)
(London) September 2019
A lovely time in this part of the world. We enjoyed our stay in the Cottage and the walking, cycling and Jacuzzi. Excellent meal at the Aux Sabot Rouges in Guemene-sur-Scorff, including vegetarian food. We visited Vannes, a beautiful city with its older quarter, ramparts and garden.
Also visited Pontivy and Le Faouet (recommend the exhibition on land and sea at the museum). Lovely walking around the Lac Guerledan.

“The peace and quiet and dark, starry nights have been glorious” - Michelle & Rob Pauli (with Fini) (Brighton) August 2019
We had a lovely week in Jasmine Cottage, helped by the fantastic weather that meant we made good use of the wonderful selection of garden games (and learnt the rules of croquet!) and enjoyed dusk and candle-lit meals in the garden with bats flitting overhead. The peace and quiet and dark, starry nights have been glorious.
Thank you to Karen for the very welcome and delicious first night meal and to Simon for being such a helpful host. We really enjoyed the walk to the stunning view point accompanied by lovely Bonnie and the playful cats!
Brief child-friendly highlights include:
• The Adrenaline Forest near Auray/Carnac
• Playing on the beach at Anse de Sourdan and pedalo’s after a great meal on the terrace of the Merlin restaurant.
• The local lake – Dordu – and its nature and play equipment (runners – it’s just over a mile to run around)
• Exploring the toy chest!
Thank you!

“The Cottage had everything we needed and the little basket of baby things was so thoughtful” - Scott & Emily Ramsay (with Fleur, Owen, and Ada) (Devon) August 2019
Thank you, Simon, for a wonderful relaxing week at Jasmine Cottage, we have thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The Cottage had everything we needed and the little basket of baby things was so thoughtful. The children loved the games, puzzles and we all enjoyed the garden and hot tub!
Before we arrived, we hadn’t realised how many places there were to explore – our particular favourites included, the Sunday market at Bon Repos, playing in the lake at Beau Rivage, beautiful Josselin and the brilliant farm / adventure park at Pont Aven (L’Aven Parc) – a must for anyone visiting with children. Thank you again Simon, we will be back!
The Ramsay’s xx

“It’s been a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable week at Jasmine Cottage – We shall be back” - Ellie & Colin Pickles, (with Daisy and Joe) (Bristol) August 2019
Thank you for having us Simon, we had a great stay. It’s been a relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable week at Jasmine Cottage. Alongside plotting to steal the bed and the jacuzzi, we’ve had some great fun exploring this part of Brittany.

We’ve eaten way too much cheese and wine/cider, had lots of fun splashing about at the lakes, stumbled our way through local markets with our G.C.S.E. French, and had plenty of fun days out locally with the kids. We shall be back.

Highlights for us (with a 4 + 7 year old in tow):
- Sunday market at Bon Repos-Sur-Blavet, bought produce, baked goods, cheese and had a picnic on the side of the river, looking across to the Abbey.
- L'Aven parc, Pont - Aven: awesome little adventure park, maze, slides, goats to feed, trampolines, zip wires. Great little onsite cafe and we all had a very relaxed and fun day.
- Le Stérou Parc Natural - the brochure doesn't do it justice. A brilliant time driving around the woods/lakes for 1,5 hours, spotting dear. Hilarious fun. (Golf buggies)
- Bee + Ant museum, le Faouet, a bit over the head of our 4 year old but our 7 year old loved it, getting close up to hives, ants, stick insects. Nice soup to buy too.
- Lac de Guerledan, Beau Rivage, 2 lovely days on this sandy little beach, splashing about in safe, shallow water. Good free parking nearby with picnic tables.
- Pizzeria in Gouarec, just off the main market square. Great pizza + pasta, kid friendly, lovely staff & felt very local. (Called Le kust ar c'hoat.)

“We loved the cottage, the setting and our first trip to this part of Brittany!” – Kieran & Lorna, Mitchinson (with Sarah & Alexander) (London N1) July 2019
Thank you, Simon, for being so welcoming and attentive – We loved the cottage, the setting and our first trip to this part of Brittany! Aside from the garden games and the hot tub (great de-stress), there were so many places we enjoyed notwithstanding the “mixed” weather…(!)
- Swimming in the Lac de Guerledan (recommend Anse de Sordan for a lovely beach and view)
- Kernescleden: on one side of the road a beautiful church – C16 danse macabre fresco within; on the other, the ultra-modern “bat museum”, perfectly curated,
- Carnac without a doubt - bit blown away by the scale of it,
- Branféré animal park – a full day out and the kids WILL love it,
- Friendly little Vélorail Kreiz Breizh and lunch in pretty Gouarec,
- Our boy (and us) loved the modest mini golf at Cléguerec (get the clubs from the Mairie…),
- Bikes to étang du Dordu (only one uphill defeated us on the way back…),
- Josselin and the chateau – absolutely great,
- Golf buggies at Le Stérou nature park,
- A good hour at Melrand the “AD 1000” village,
- The bees and the ants near Le Faouet…

It’s been a great family break from work and our 10 and 7 year olds loved it too! Thank you x

“Our third visit in three years, suffice to say, we will be back next year” – Jasmine & Steven Gray (with Sophia & Winston) (Jersey) July 2019
Our third visit in three years, suffice to say, we will be back next year for more relaxation, fun with the kids and inconceivable beauty in Brittany. Simon is a wonderful host and we can’t wait to see him again next year! Branféré Zoo essential if you visit with children  Jasmine Gray x

“Once again we have had the perfect family holiday” – Chris & Sharon Smith (with Alex & Jamie) (Gloucester) July 2019
Well, once again we have had the perfect family holiday spent with our two boys (men) in beautiful Brittany. This visit has been for two weeks, and we have been so lucky with the weather with today being the only day that it has rained.
New discoveries this year have been Carnac (beautiful beach and the stones). Auray, stunning little town, a real jewel in the crown. Also visited, Nevez (nice beach) Erdevan, again a lovely beach and many towns and markets including Vannes. Thank you, Simon, for your hospitality, you have been a great host. Chris, Sharon and the boys.

“Lovely cottage, friendly host” - Alli & Roger Williams (Suffolk) June 2019
Lovely cottage, friendly host, shame about the mixed weather.

“Rounding the courtyard corner with its flowering rose has been the most beautiful view of our week!” – Russell & Jenny Sims (with Agnes) (Bristol) May 2019
Thank you, Simon, for sharing your wonderful home with us – coming back to our “holiday house” as Agnes calls it has been a true highlight of our first family holiday, rounding the courtyard corner with its flowering rose has been the most beautiful view of our week! We’ve had a wonderful week with Jasmine cottage as our base. Visiting Branféré Animal Park, the bee museum at Le Faouet and a glorious beach day out at L’armor Plage.
Agnes has delighted in befriending Willow, Bramble, Bonnie and the hedgehog (!) and loved watching dad cook a BBQ. Thank you for your generous hosting – we will be recommending to all family and friends. With very best wishes to you xxx

“Our third visit – perfect as usual” - William & Mary Harkness (Hightownshire, Scotland) March 2019
Our third visit – perfect as usual. Thanks, Bill & Mary

Reviews for Orchid Barn

“The accommodation is super” Reviewed by Jan & Andrew Little (Yorkshire) October 2019
After a busy year we decided, late in the season, to book a week at Brittany Spa Cottages to get some much-needed R&R to recharge the batteries! What a good decision it has proved to be!
Thank you, Simon for making us so welcome and for the generous basket of food, wine & fruit – it has been much appreciated. The accommodation is super – just what we were looking for - comfortable, quiet and peaceful, but within distance of some lovely places for days out.
We especially liked market day at Vannes, the old city centre and the beautiful cathedral. We like to walk, so on recommendation from Simon, we stretched our legs on a section of the Nantes/Brest canal from Bon Repos to Gouarec and back – spotting Herons and a Cormorant on the way.
For eating out – the best meal of the holiday, in our opinion, was here in the local village, “L’Atelier”, also, thank you Simon for recommending “Les Trois Marchands” for lunch in Guemene, lovely traditional food, fab ambiance and a great lunch time price!
All in all, a lovely week and we hope to return in the not too distant future.

“Super relaxing week” Reviewed by Drew Wilsher & Sarah Walker (Christchurch, Dorset) October 2019
We had a super relaxing week at the cottage in a fantastic area. Simon is one of life’s genuine guys and could not do enough to help and advise us on what to do, where to go and how to get there.
There is so much to see and do in this area. We recommend a trip to the Abbey at Bon Repos, from there you can cycle the Nantes/Brest canal, which has fantastic scenery all the way. There are so many wonderful places to eat it’s impossible to list them all. The jacuzzi is an awesome way to finish to day after a cycle or a walk. Top recommendation is the Bistro in the village.
Simon, very many thanks for a great relaxing week and being a super host.

“What a wonderful stay” Reviewed by Jill & Richard Tansley (Derby) September 2019
What a wonderful stay we have had in Orchid Barn. We have stayed in many Gite’s but to date this has been one of the best. Everything has been thought about from the lovely welcome basket down to the chocolates on the pillow. I must say the shower was great.
It was so peaceful here that we just enjoyed sitting in the tranquil garden reading and sipping a glass or two of wine. Simon you will come highly recommended to other family and friends wishing to visit this part of Brittany.

“A perfect week” Reviewed by Georges & Jennifer Pauli (North London) August 2019
A perfect week in this comfortable gite. The delicious meal cooked by Karen for our first evening was a treat after a long drive. It’s so quiet and peaceful, though plenty places to visit – re previous entries. We reiterate all the good things that have been said by the previous visitors. Thank you, Simon

“We couldn’t have asked for a better way to start our lives together” Reviewed by Rachael & Bruce Harrison (Worcester) August 2019
Simon, after a stressful three weeks leading up to our wedding, the calming atmosphere of Orchid Barn was exactly what Bruce and I needed for our honeymoon. We couldn’t have asked for a better way to start our lives together. Thank you for being a fantastic host; we hope to be back very soon!
P.S. Try to get a ticket for the English tour of Josselin’s chateau – very interesting.
P.P.S. Pedalo’s are fun but not as easy as they look!

“Another terrific holiday” Reviewed by Pete Baldrey & Elaine Beange (Bath) August 2019
Simon, many thanks for another terrific holiday in Orchid Barn its testament to the care and attention you give your business and the welcome you give your guests that we’ve made a return visit. We’ve enjoyed visiting some old favourite places and found some new ones to – always plenty to discover in Brittany! We enjoyed the scenery and walking opportunity’s around the Golf du Morbihan (seafood opportunities too), L’Abbaye de Bon Repos, Concarneau, local markets etc.
Peter had a great trip to La Bas in Lorient and enjoyed the boot sales, so thanks for your recommendations. It’s been great to relax too: I’ve done loads of reading as it’s so peaceful here. I’ve slept better than I’ve done in ages as a result of being so chilled out! Thank you again, Simon. We appreciate it’s been a difficult year, but you are still doing something rather wonderful in this lovely part of Brittany, see you again soon.

“The welcome pack was great” Reviewed by Sarah & Trevor Hamilton (Hythe, Kent) July 2019
Thank you, Simon for having us to stay in Orchid Cottage for the week. We found it very comfortable and you thought of everything we might need. The welcome pack was great – I liked the wine so much I’ve brought 6 more bottles to take home! We had two lovely days in Auray, at the market on Monday and down the hill by the river for lunch another day. It’s a very pretty town and lively!
The beach at Erdeven was very nice (if a bit crowded - it’s that time of year.) But what we enjoyed most was the calm, peace and quiet, pottering around Orchid, enjoying the Hot Tub and relaxing in the garden. Thank you for being such a good friendly host, very helpful and good company, we look forward to coming again probably with more family.

“Thanks for a relaxing stay” Reviewed by Elaine & Andy Sinclair (Ayr, Scotland) July 2019
Simon, Many thanks for a relaxing stay. Weather beautiful and seen so much of beautiful Brittany. Favourites Pont Aven, Carnac, Vannes are the best.

“A great week” Reviewed by Carol & Glen Ewen (Dunsborough, Western Australia) June 2019
Simon, Thank you for a great week. We enjoyed all our drives around Brittany, both near and far. The Monday markets in Auray should not be missed and we had a lovely day in Loquirec, hope to return to Brittany soon it is a lovely part of France.
Carol & Glen

“A most enjoyable time here” Reviewed by Jonathon & Gaenor Davies (Essex) June 2019
Simon, we’ve had a most enjoyable time here, despite the mixed weather. Thank you very much indeed.
Particular thanks for the welcome pack that awaited us upon our arrival, a generous selection of key essentials – all very much appreciated.
We’ve been very comfortable in Orchid barn, everything that was needed was here and I’m only sorry that we couldn’t make more use of the nearby bikes and the hot tub.
In our few days we’ve taken in Vannes, Pontivy, Josselin (what a wonderful chateau, as well as Auray plus local villages & hamlets. Thank you again for a really relaxing and pleasant break.

“Possibly the best we have stayed in” Reviewed by Nick & Maggie Gale (Burton-on-Trent) May 2019
By now you will have realised what a great gite (possibly the best we have stayed in - out of about 20) and what a fabulous host Simon is. As such I will not repeat previous comments.
Our weather was not great, but we really enjoyed our stay. The Monday market - Auray was superb. As was the town, and particularly the area around the old docks - do not miss this!
Even better was Vannes on the Wednesday - another very interesting market and even better town/city! We also enjoyed local walks around both lakes that Simon recommended. So - all absolutely great and Simon you are a superb host in such difficult circumstances. You deserve all the support in the world.

“A week is not enough!” Reviewed by Karen & Angus Duncan (Kettering) March 2019
A week is not enough! We are already planning a return trip. Orchid Barn is lovely, comfortable, peaceful retreat, exactly what we wanted and needed. The surrounding area is just perfect and we intend to return for much longer. Simon, Bonnie, Willow + Bramble all made us feel at home!
Simon, thank you for being a wonderful host, we have really enjoyed meeting you and sharing in Penny's legacy. For those wanting a beach trip, thoroughly recommend Le Pouldu - beautiful clean beaches and rocky headland walks. We also loved Vannes, Pontivy and Josselin, and many other charming places on our trips out. Thank you, Simon.

“What an absolute gem of a place!” Reviewed by Trisha & Phil Holley (Rogerstone, South Wales) March 2019
What an absolute gem of a place! Apart from the weather everything has been perfect. Simon has been absolutely brilliant from the booking through to arrival, and beyond. Very helpful, welcoming and kind. Our Normandy Pork was delicious, and the welcome pack was more than we could have wished for! Orchid Cottage is a cosy and tranquil bolthole, and we imagine it is beautiful in the Spring and Summer.
On our last evening we had a meal at L’ Atelier in the village and it is only open Thursday - Sunday. We knew it had good reviews but... wow! Absolutely amazing. We've had a lovely relaxing stay.