Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Herisson Holiday Home Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: My Dream Herisson Holiday Home…Or Was It? A Brutally Honest Review!
Okay, folks, strap yourselves in. I'm finally back from the legendary Escape to Paradise, that Herisson Holiday Home they've been hyping up, and I'm here to spill the beans. No sugarcoating, no PR fluff. This is the REAL DEAL. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and far too much coffee.
Metadata & SEO (Because, you know, algorithms): Hotel Review, Herisson Holiday Home, Escape to Paradise, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, WiFi, Family Friendly, Cleanliness, Safety, Dining, Activities, France, Travel, Review, Honest, Budget, Luxurious, All-Inclusive, Family Vacation, Romantic Getaway… (I'm throwing everything at this thing!)
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof, Mostly)
The website promised paradise. Let's just say, the reality… was… complex. Finding the place was already an adventure worthy of Indiana Jones. The winding roads, the confusing signage… I swear, I was chasing a mirage for a good hour.
Accessibility? They say they're accessible. And yes, there's an elevator (thank heavens!), and some rooms are apparently wheelchair-friendly. But the devil, as they say, is in the details. The ramps to the pool? Steeper than a politician's promises. The doorways to the restaurants? Well, let's just say navigation wasn't exactly smooth sailing for my hypothetical wheelchair-bound friend. (I was mentally making notes, you see, for my… well, never mind). It's a solid “Maybe” on accessibility. But definitely check the specifics beforehand, very, very carefully. Don't just trust the brochure!
Rooms: Sanitize? YES. But…
The good news? Rooms sanitized between stays. YES! Individually-wrapped food options, too! Thank goodness! And lots of hand sanitizer, available everywhere. This made this germaphobe's heart sing! There was also Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (praise be!)
The room itself? Clean. Mostly. The balcony? Oh, the balcony! The view was stunning! Lush green hills, a shimmering lake in the distance… Pure serenity. Until I noticed the… ahem… slightly used bird droppings situation on the railing. Small complaint, but I'm that person. I wiped it down (thank you, in-room complimentary tea and hair dryer… used as a makeshift cleaning tool).
And the soundproofing? Surprisingly effective. I didn't hear a peep from the noisy family next door, except for the occasional, incredibly loud, happy scream of a child and a lot of slamming doors. The blackout curtains were a godsend after those exhausting travel days and nights. Although, once, I almost walked into the mirror in the dark, so watch out for that. I blame the jet lag. Oh, and the slippers were fabulous.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: An Adventure in Itself
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. The food. This is where things get… interesting.
- Restaurants & Lounges: They have several - a main restaurant offering buffet in restaurant and a la carte in restaurant dining, a poolside bar, a snack bar… The Poolside bar was fantastic on the first day. I got a drink and a snack and just reveled in the sun's rays. I had a burger and a fruity cocktail, and it was exactly what I needed. I mean, who doesn't like a happy hour after an emotional afternoon?
- Breakfast: The Buffet of Many Choices, Too Many Choices (Maybe). The Breakfast [buffet] involved an assault on the senses. Imagine a swirling vortex of sausages, croissants, and vaguely-yellow eggs. The buffet in restaurant was plentiful, yes, but the quality… varied. The Asian breakfast was, well, let's just say it wasn't exactly what I associate with an Asian breakfast, other than the fact it was breakfast. I skipped the international cuisine in restaurant, but did try the Western breakfast. It was much more my speed. Coffee/tea in restaurant was okay at the very least.
- Lunch and dinner: I made liberal use of the room service [24-hour] because honestly, sometimes the thought of venturing into the buffet again was just too much. The salad in restaurant was always a safe bet, and let me tell you, the desserts in restaurant were pure decadence.
- The Drinks I'll admit, I may have spent a little too much time at the Bar, taking advantage of the happy hour (and the bottle of water, which, thankfully, I grabbed a few). The bartenders were friendly, even when I was three cocktails in, which is a feat. The only thing that could top that? The Poolside bar.
- Vegetarian, and… Not Vegetarian? the Vegetarian restaurant was a bit hit or miss. I had a salad one night that was phenomenal. The next night the same salad was… well, let's just say the lettuce looked like it had seen better days.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Sensation or Spa Sabotage?
Ah, the "Escape" part. The swimming pool [outdoor] was massive. Gorgeous. I spent a lot of time there. The Pool with view was another fantastic area to relax. the sun loungers were plentiful, and they had fresh bathrobes. There were plenty of towels at hand, too. Glorious!
- The Spa: Now, the spa. This is where my "escape" took a slight detour. Body scrub? Heavenly! Massage? Pure bliss, at the very least. But then… the sauna. The Sauna was okay. The Steamroom - not so much. It was filled with a strange, slightly metallic smell and the temperature was… well, let's just say I didn’t last long. The Spa/sauna was there, but I avoided it.
- Fitness Center: The Gym/fitness was surprisingly well-equipped. I managed to get a workout in (feeling the guilt of the multiple buffets setting in, I suppose).
- Things for the kids: The Kids facilities looked brilliant. The Babysitting service was available if you needed it. I didn't have kids with me, and the sound of the noise coming from them made me wonder if I'd like it if I did.
- Other Activities: There are apparently things to do – a Fitness center, a foot bath, and more. I mostly stuck to the pool and the occasional foray into the bar. The terrace was nice, too.
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitized, But… (Again)
They are definitely trying. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification… they are on it. The Staff trained in safety protocol. They offer a safe dining setup. I saw the sterilizing equipment being used. But, and there's a but…
I'd also like to add that I really appreciated the CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour]. It made me feel safe. And the Fire extinguisher was present and accounted for!
Services and Conveniences: The Extras
- Internet: The Internet was surprisingly reliable. Wi-Fi [free] was available.
- Conveniences The Concierge was helpful. And the Doorman was always polite and welcoming. Luggage storage was great too. I made use of the Laundry service also - it really came in handy.
- Other things, like… The Gift/souvenir shop was cute. The Cash withdrawal option at the front desk was handy. They offered Airport transfer, but I drove. The Car park [free of charge] was amazing. I liked the Bicycle parking. I don't think I've ever seen Car power charging station, and I have to admire it. Cool!
Getting Around & Other Stuff:
- Facilities for disabled guests - I wasn't the biggest fan of the lack of accessibility here.
- Facilities for disabled guests - There were a lot of places that were hard to get around.
- Family/child friendly - The children running around the hotel were a bit too much. Not for me.
- Couple's room - I was alone.
The Verdict:
So, would I "Escape to Paradise" again? Mmm… maybe. It’s a mixed bag. The location is beautiful, the staff are friendly (mostly!), and the sanitization efforts are commendable. But the accessibility issues and the sometimes-questionable quality of the buffet… well, they give me pause, and a lot of thinking. The location is certainly idyllic, and the promise of a relaxing getaway is
Megeve Luxury: Unbelievable Praz-sur-Arly Apartment Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn’t your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel blog. This is real life, in all its glorious, chaotic glory. We’re heading to a holiday home with a private garden in Hérisson, France. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Hérisson Holiday Home: Operation "Get Lost (and Hopefully Find Some Good Wine)"
(Day 1: Arrival & Initial Panic)
- Morning (Like, REALLY early): Ugh. The alarm. Why did I think a 6 AM flight was a good idea? Coffee. LOTS of coffee. Panic sets in when I realize I swear I packed my passport, but the bag is looking suspiciously empty. Cue frantic rummaging, the kind that leaves the house looking like a bomb went off. Found it! In the side pocket. Of course. Note to self: organize better. (Will I ever learn?)
- Afternoon: Flight is surprisingly uneventful (thank god). Taxi to the rental car place. Ah, yes, the joy of driving in a foreign country. The car is tiny, a bright, aggressively orange Citroën. It's like they gave me a carrot on wheels. Praying to the GPS gods that I don't get lost in a field of sunflowers (though…that wouldn't be the worst thing).
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Finally, FINALLY, arrive at the holiday home in Hérisson. Oh. My. God. It's even more beautiful than the pictures. Like, straight out of a movie. Rolling hills, the sound of birds chirping, a ridiculously charming stone house, and that PRIVATE GARDEN… I almost weep. Unpacking (a messy process), admiring the view from every window. Then, the all-important assessment: locate the wine opener. Failure. (First small crisis.) After a desperate search, I managed to find a screwdriver (because it’s me), which now doubles as a wine opener (who needs a fancy tool?)
- Evening: Attempt to cook dinner. Turns into a disaster involving burnt garlic and a near-smoke alarm situation. Decide on the emergency backup plan: cheese, bread and wine on the terrace at sunset. This, however, is perfect, and immediately soothes my travel-induced stress.
(Day 2: Market Madness & Castle Dreams)
- Morning: The local market in Hérisson! My French is…well, let's just say "passable" is a generous term. Embarrassing myself while trying to order a baguette, I somehow manage to buy a baguette, some ridiculously ripe peaches (one explodes in the bag), and a mysterious, beautifully wrapped package of…something. (Later, it turns out to be pate. Delicious, mortifyingly so). I decide to become completely in the local market.
- Mid-day: A visit to the Château de Hérisson. This castle is a medieval dream. Wandering through the ruins, imagining knights and battles and maybe a fair maiden or two. What a beautiful site!
- Afternoon: A long nap in a hammock I found in the garden. Bliss.
- Evening: Tried the "cooking" thing again, this time with internet help. A slightly less disastrous attempt, but still involving a few questionable ingredients. More wine, of course. Write in my diary, under the stars.
(Day 3: Chasing Waterfalls & Finding Peace
- Morning: A drive to the nearby waterfalls. The drive is gorgeous - lush green landscapes, and little villages. The waterfalls are stunning. Feeling a deep connection of nature.
- Afternoon: Spent the afternoon meditating in nature.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Returned to the holiday home. Made a decision and spent the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing, except reading and listening to nature sounds. This is the best part of the trip.
(Day 4: The Day I Ate Too Much Cheese)
- Morning: Decided I needed "culture." So I went to a very small local museum, which was interesting for about ten minutes, and then I resorted to wandering the grounds.
- Mid-day: The cheese. The cheese. The cheese. Went to to the local cheese shop and bought…well, everything. Comté, Roquefort, a stinky Camembert that almost knocked me out. Ate half of it with bread, olives, and more wine. Now I feel both euphoric and slightly ill.
- Afternoon: Napped on top of a hill. A very long nap.
- Evening: Another failed attempt to cook. More cheese (the leftovers). And a quiet evening of watching the sunset, thinking about nothing, and feeling content.
(Day 5: Departure & The Aftermath)
- Morning: Ugh, packing (again!). This time the tears are real, because I don’t wanna leave. Saying goodbye to the garden and the peace I found there.
- Afternoon: Drive back to the airport. Almost missed the flight because, of course, I somehow managed to misplace my boarding pass. Found it. (In the side pocket.)
- Evening: (Back Home) Jet lag. Laundry. The overwhelming urge to go back to Hérisson immediately. And a definite craving for…more cheese.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and absolutely wonderful. It was a reminder of the simple things: a beautiful view, good food, and the quiet joy of just being. And yes, I’ll be back. Next time, I’m bringing a proper wine opener. And maybe, just maybe, a French phrasebook.
Unbelievable Tuscany Escape: Belvilla by OYO, Cortona, Italy!
So, 'Escape to Paradise': Sounds fancy... What *actually* is it?
Is it REALLY in the middle of nowhere? Because my phone signal is my lifeblood.
Okay, I'm in. What kind of 'escape' are we talking? Hiking? Wine-tasting? Chasing chickens?
What about the house itself? Is it going to be a drafty old castle? Or a soulless box? (Or, heaven forbid, *both*?!
Can I bring the kids/dog/goldfish? (Okay, maybe not the goldfish, but you get the idea...)
What about the food shopping? Is it going to be a mission to find a loaf of bread?
Is there anything I should *really* know before I go? Any hidden catches?
Okay, I'm sold! How do I book this slice of paradise?
