Les Jardins du Porche

From the time we arrived throughout our 5 night stay we made the most of the 2 room studio and garden. Here we were able to find dining or mostly for our days, created delicious breakfasts and late evening dinners as the sunset late and we could relax with some good home cooking of chicken, vegetables and roasted potatoes as we might at home. One night we made simple pasta and a garden fresh salad we were able to buy at the local market and town market. Alex was very polite and if needed, helpful. It was good break from the hotels we had stayed at before and did not miss home service as we felt at home.

A perfect setting with all modern amenities close to the town centre. Peaceful surroundings. Thank you Alex.

Alex’s communication is non-existent. Despite sending messages via B.com the week before there was no response (nor from B.com to the messages I sent them) regarding the access to the apartment. I finally contacted him by phone on the morning of our stay, at first, he said ‘No, we weren’t staying there’. Eventually he found our details and advised that although check-in was at 5pm, the cleaner would not be finished until after 6pm – ‘leave your cases and have a walk into Sarlat’, not what we wanted after a long drive there. He did send the access info and at 5pm I scouted the studio apartment out, only to be locked in by a faulty main door locking system that was well overdue for maintenance, so I was stuck in the hallway. Thankfully the cleaner arrived and eventually gained access via an empty neighbouring apartment, with a solution being that this was the route we would have to use during our stay. Alex was not available by phone to help. I was not happy with this and after some discussion with the very helpful cleaner it was agreed that we could use the empty apartment with direct access – but that needed cleaning, so we were finally unloading after 6.30pm. The following night as we left for dinner there were two guests stranded outside asking what the situation was as they had received no access instructions and could not contact Alex. One was on the phone to B.com who were cancelling and refunding their booking, then finding them alternative accommodation. Also, Magnolia’s presentation does not match the site images, no plants and a missing picture (with screws in the wall); there was no iron; only one beer glass and the kitchen bin had no cover in the lid. I had booked the apartment back in February as part of a 3-week road trip, with hindsight I should have re-visited the more recent reviews where apartment access and Alex’s communication was an issue. Hopefully future bookers will see this in time to cancel for a refund and book elsewhere. It certainly is not ‘The Place to Relax’.