| Date | Rating | Comment
[Guest Comments: 23 positive, 0 negative]
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| 08/09/09 |
Positive
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| Ann's Condo was the perfect home base for us to savoy the treasurer's of southwest France. We were able to venture out in all directions and return home knowing we had a parking space. (from previous experience, parking can be a problem in France) We especially enjoyed being in Arcachon over Bastille Day. The fireworks on the beach were great. The beaches are on par with Maui's beaches and that says a lot. We also enjoyed our daily walk to the market, its open seven days a week. We booked the condo knowing there was no TV which was fine for us. However, I didn't realize that this time of year it doesn't get dark until after 11:00 pm. We were looking for something to do between the hours of 9:00 and 11:00 pm. If there is one recommendation we could make would be to get a TV. The computer was great but I would liked to have kept up better with the news. Ann was extemely accomodating and went out of her way to check on us while we were there. We would definately return. Thanks for the opportunity to be in your home. Bill |
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Bill Schulz, Houston, TX
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Homeowner Response:
TV coming soon!
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| 05/26/09 |
Positive
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| My husband, myself and our friend spent a week in mid-May in this lovely apartment in Arcachon. We were pleasantly surprised at the beauty of the area and wished we had more time to explore. The free internet and telephone were a huge help to us and greatly appreciated, as were the two bikes in the garage. We loved the location of the apartment and its proximity to the beach. The owner thought of everything: from maps and local information to a great little DVD collection. We can't wait to return! |
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Maggi, Detroit, MI |
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| 01/21/09 |
Positive
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My mother and I found this lovely apartment on the internet while looking for a hotel in Arcachon. This was the perfect alternative for us, and a better value than staying in one of the hotels nearby.
Annie's apartment is very conveniently located, 3 blocks from the beach and supermarket, a 5 minute walk to the train station, shops and restaurants. There are some lovely boutiques to explore! You don't really need a car in Arcachon unless you want to explore the region further, such as Bordeaux (great antique shops), St. Emilion, Biarritz, St. Jean-de-Luz, Spain, etc.
This is the second time I rent a property in Arcachon and was very pleased with this choice. The penthouse apartment is very spacious, it could probably accommodate a family of 6 since it has a sleeper-couch in the living room, plus 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, in addition to an extra WC.
he kitchen was well equipped, although we never quite figured out the clothes washer/dryer.
We very much appreciated having the peace and quiet as we rented the flat in September 2008 and the tourists had all gone. This was a good time to visit as the weather cooperated for the most part and it rained only a few days with the rest being very bright and sunny, with temperatures in the mid to upper 70's(F).
This was a very successful visit to Arcachon, and we appreciated having this pied-a-terre so close to everything. Also, thank you, Annie for letting us use your laptop, it was great to be able to keep in touch with our family back in Florida and Connecticut!
Thanks also for the dvds you left for us to use. It's a good thing we speak French, because sitting there reading the subtitles cannot be comfortable!
It would have been nice to have a tv in the apartment, but we managed without it. Also a minor nuisance was the fact that we couldn't use water or flush toilets between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., but we managed...
When I return to Arcachon I hope to be able to stay here, unless I buy my own place!
I recommend this highly to anyone contemplating a visit to this lovely town! |
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Michelle Sheppard, New Canaan, Connecticut
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Homeowner Response:
The not using water at night is just a courtesy to the neighbors below, common in France, which I ask people to try and observe...not an ultimatum----Ann
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| 01/13/09 |
Positive
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| In July 2008, I spent a week at Ann's condo in Arcachon with my son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren (ages 4-12). Arcachon was a delightful town to explore. The kids really enjoyed the nice beach. A visit to the immense sand dune, Dune du Pilat, was a fun experience. We took a few day trips to some other towns. Our favorite day trip was to St. Emilion, a charming medieval village. We had a great vacation! |
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Konni Bostleman, Toledo, Ohio |
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| 01/07/09 |
Positive
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| We stayed in Ann's apartment for two weeks in June of 2008. There were six of us altogether, including my husband and I, our two children, and my parents, and we didn't feel cramped at all. The apartment was delightful and close to everything in town, including the gorgeous beach. We rented a car a couple of days and went to St. Emilion (well worth the 2 hour drive), Biarritz, and Bordeaux. Plus, we started our vacation with three days in Paris and then took the TGV direct to Arcachon. Our kids loved the TGV and it was so much fun to do both the big city of Paris and the small lovely town of Arcachon. The weather in June is beautiful and we would definitely take this vacation again. My four year old son keeps asking me when we're going back to France so he can get more Kinder eggs (3 for 1 euro at the grocery store in Arcachon). |
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Mary, St. Louis Park, MN
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| 01/04/09 |
Positive
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My mum and I stayed here for one week in June 08. The apartment was lovely and very well equipped, like home from home.
We have visited France many times but this was an opportunity to explore a new area and we loved it. Arcachon is very relaxed,plenty of shops for us and good places to eat. The apartment is only a short walk from all amentities, yet in a very quiet street.
I used one of the bikes most days while my mum rested on one of the balconies.
Shame about the weather, we expected more sun in June.
We are only a short plane ride from Bordeaux and definitely hope to visit again and take advantage of Anne's very useful information guides.
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Gill, Liverpool, England |
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| 01/02/09 |
Positive
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| In July 2008, I stayed at Ann's condo in Arcachon with my son, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. We enjoyed exploring the quaint town of Arcachon, and the kids loved spending afternoons on the beach. Arcachon is conveniently located for taking day trips - we especially loved visiting the charming medieval village of St. Emilion. A visit to the immense Dune du Pilat was a fun experience - be prepared to get very sandy! It was a great vacation! |
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Konni Bostleman, Toledo, Ohio |
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| 01/02/09 |
Positive
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| My husband and I and our two children stayed in Ann's apartment most recently in August 2008 for two weeks, we had stayed in Ann's apartment before and loved it, it is spacious, well equipped, central and the balconies are lovely. Having internet access is great and also having a place to store bikes was great too as we cycled lots. This time we were in peak season unlike previous years, Arcachon was much busier than before but weather beautiful and kids spent loads of time on the beach, we love arcachon and Ann's apartment and will holiday there again. |
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Anonymous |
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| 01/01/09 |
Positive
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We spent a week at Ann's place in August, 2008 and would highly recommend it, either for a family or 2 couples. (We were a couple with 3 children and had plenty of room.) We fell in love with Arcachon--a very authentic, family oriented vacation town. We hardly used a car all week (we used the 2 bikes in the garage and rented 3 others.) The apartment itself had every convenience (our teenage kids especially appreciated the laptop, Ipod charger and guitar!) It is a beautifully decorated and very cheerful yet quiet place--we never heard a noise from the street, despite being only 2 blocks from the beach. The traditional town market was a highlight for us, as were various free outdoor events along the beach promenade--including the excellent Arcachon symphony, French rock bands, mime artists, jugglers, etc. Never a dull moment, even after dark. You can also shop to your heart's content in dozens of boutiques, and eat in a huge variety of cafes and restaurants. We tended to picnic a lot for lunch and eat dinner at home, but you could certainly eat all your meals out in Arcachon and never eat in the same place twice!
I also think the rent is worth every penny compared to other rentals in the area. My French in-laws rented cramped, utterly charmless hotel apartments nearby and paid nearly what Ann charges for a truly beautiful and well-equipped apartment with all the conveniences of home. We will most definitely go back, hopefully for more than a week next time. We felt like we could easily spend a month here and not get bored, as there are so many things to do in the area, from climbing the Pyla dunes, to boating, wine tasting, visiting Bordeaux, biking, not to mention relaxing on the beautiful beaches. This was one of our best vacations ever--loved the town, loved the cozy apartment with great views from every balcony! |
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Jennifer Delamare, Los Altos, CA USA |
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| 08/23/08 |
Positive
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| This apartment in Arcachon is great for a number of reasons. It is walking distance from the train station, markets, main dowtown and only 3 blocks to the beach. The aparement is nicely laid out with terraces on both sides. The apartment slept 4 adults and 2 children very comfortably. Anne made the place feel very much like home and had bags, beach towels and beach toys to be used by the guests. Anne also addressed all our questions and gave us great suggestions. Highly recommend the apartment. |
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Diane, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
403-547-1816 |
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| 01/19/08 |
Positive
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We spent the month of November '07 in Ann's condo. We loved all the conveniences of the condo, especially the high speed internet and the condo's terrific location. Tom created his home office via the internet connection, and he worked with his clients in the states without a glitch. Except for the time difference, he almost could have been at home. This made our trip very afforadable! We fell in love with the Arcachon area and we hope to return. Ann was always available for questions and this made our trip worry free.
There was a massive train strike during our trip, and most everything was closed in November. Yet, we made great use of Ann's bikes. The "Casino" supermarket behind the train station was wonderful, better than the LeClerc (which is just a little closer), and we could stock up nicely on food without a car. We did rent a car during the strike just to get around, but otherwise the public transport got us everywhere we needed to go.
The issue of water use, mentioned in the previous comment, was not an issue after I spoke to the woman who seemed to be causing the problem. In any case, the notes refer to water use in the front of the condo, and not in the back.
All in all, it was a great stay.
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Kristi Crosby, Camp Verde, TX |
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| 09/17/07 |
Positive
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We enjoyed a week long stay in Arcachon. The condo was exactly what we were looking for...very spacious with all the conveniences. The town was great for wandering about and we found everything we needed. We were even able to visit the daily market and enjoy some relaxing fresh seafood meals in addition to visiting some of the excellent local restaurants. Ann provided great information about excursions which we took advantage of and loved every one.
The only discouraging fact was the notes posted around the appartment advising us not to use the water between 10:30 pm and 8:00 am and reminders to close the gate softly while we were there. Very minor facts, but nice to know before arriving.
We would definitely return! |
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Ella, Ontario/Canada
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| 07/25/06 |
Positive
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We just spent 2 weeks in Ann's lovely condo in Arcachon and had a wonderful time. Arcachon is the most charming town, beautiful architecture, wonderful beach, restaurants, bakeries, everything. The condo is very comfortable; the balconies are great for eating, drinking the great Bordeaux wines, and enjoying the view. Ann provides very helpful information about the town and excursions in the area.
We'd like to return some day. |
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D. Blazevic, Palm Harbor, Fl
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| 07/03/06 |
Positive
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Arcachon was really special for us. My wife and I took our young daughters, ages 7 and 9. The apartment was larger than expected and very comfortable for a family of 4. Arcachon is a quiet French holiday resort. Best oysters I've ever eaten, bar none. We met lovely people in the town, and the pace is so much slower than in Paris. Perfect for practicing our French! The food and wine of the southern Bordeaux region alone are worth the trip. Then when you mix in the beaches, history, sights, nice weather, it becomes a perfect place to vacation and relax. Highly recommended.
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David S., Dallas, TX USA |
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| 06/21/06 |
Positive
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| We loved our month-long stay in Arcahon last April, and here's why: The town is perfect, not too big or too small, and there are lots of friendly and helpful people living there. It's got a wonderful market, and there is another just down the road in La Teste. Ann's condo is perfect: good-sized, very comfortable and very well equipped, and if you want to lounge in the sunshine, there are balconies on both sides, one for morning and one for afternoon. Let's not forget the beach: it's only two blocks away (along with an ice cream shop that has Rum Raisin on hand at all times). Want to explore? You're only an hour or two away from some wonderful sightseeing. It all makes for a great vacation/adventure. What more could a person ask for? |
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Ginny and Stuart Campbell, Minneapolis, MN
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| 02/23/06 |
Positive
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I can't say enough about how helpful Ann was with our trip, even giving great advice about hotels and restaurants in Paris and getting train tickets. Her detailed notes on getting around the Bordeaux/Arcachon area were great. Highly recommend a day at the spa/winery/fine dining at Smith Haut Lafitte.
We were there in January so it wasn't sunny but enjoyed and would recommend the bay cruise. Loved climbing the big Dune. We also found it so great being able to have breakfast at home before venturing out for the day and also had dinner in a few nights. It was fun shopping at Le Clerc and putting our feet up with a good Bordeaux at home. This is not a sterile condo. You can have a nice candlelit dinner. |
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alana northrop, long beach CA |
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| 08/17/05 |
Positive
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We had the good fortune of staying at Ann's condo for almost 6 months during the fall of 2004 and spring of 2005.
It was a wonderful experience, well beyond our expectations. Ann was very kind and helpful, always going out of her way to make sure our stay was top-notch. The condo is wonderfully equipped; we did not need a thing during our whole stay. The sunny balconies and the light airy feel of the condo added to our enjoyment.
Arcachon is a wonderful destination offering a great selection of restaurants, a wide variety of shops, friendly locals, a daily market and oh those patisseries! The condo is located perfectly to walk to all that the village offers and the proximity to the beach is a plus.
There is no limit to the day trips that can be taken from there, and Ann's detailed information was very helpful in that area.
We fell in love with Arcachon, so much so that we are trying to buy a place there. |
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Diane and Gene Markiewicz, Alpharetta, GA |
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| 06/25/05 |
Positive
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| We just took our family to stay in Arcachon. We loved the condo! It is close to the beach and shopping. We highly recommend staying there! It was great fun every morning to walk to the bakeries and markets. We took trips to Cap Ferret, Dune de Pyla, and Donostia (aka San Sebastian, Spain). The trip to Spain took a little over 2 1/2 hours, and was well worth it. Donostia looks like a Mediterranean city perched on the Bay of Biscay. |
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Steve & Maureen Brown, Sylvania, Ohio
(419) 882-5418 |
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| 05/24/05 |
Positive
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| Enjoyed the condo, Arcachon, oyster beds, ocean, beaches with waves. Good, warm weather first two weeks of September. Good day trips--San Sebastian Spain, Bordeaux and wine area, St. Emillion. |
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Anonymous |
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| 03/16/05 |
Positive
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We spent two weeks in this lovely condo in April, 2004. It was spacious, well decorated and the location was fabulous. Within walking distnce there were beach, stores and markets, and a broad range of good restaurants.
The local people were friendly and helpful. We enjoyed wonderful day trips to Biarritz and Bordeaux wine country.
Ann was absolutely wonderful and gave us pages of good information regarding many restaurants (we were never disappointed)and interesting day trips. We were able to do so much more because of her thoughtful and helpful notes that were our guide.
Our rating: condo A+ and Ann definitely A+ (both beyond our expectations).
Wilma and George Brown |
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Wilma & George Brown, Heath, Texas
972-771-1120 |
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| 03/13/05 |
Positive
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My husband and I stayed at Ann's condo in
Arcachon for 2 weeks last June. It was perfect in
every way -- walking distance to everything, airy
and bright, and lovely furnishings and layout. We
especially enjoyed the balconies. Arachon is a real
gem -- friendly people, not many Americans,
delicious food, daily open market, and gorgeous
beaches. Ann helped us out every step of the way
with her suggestions. Some teens and other
relatives joined us for part of the time, too.
Everyone, young or old, fell in love with the place.
Arcachon has something for everyone. No one
could be more gracious than Ann. She attended to
every detail to make sure that we had an
unforgettable stay! She was delightful to work with,
always going the extra mile. We definitely intend to
return again and again. |
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Mel
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| 03/08/05 |
Positive
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| I loved staying at Ann's condo in Arcachon. Arcachon is a deliteful seaside resort. Lovely beach and delicious restaurants. There are great side trips such as: The great wine country of Bordeaux and Pauillac.Make sure you do the tour at Mouton Rothschild and have lunch or dinner at Chateau Cordeillan. A short drive into Spain takes you to the charming town of San Sebastian a true Spanish treasure. Down the road (about 4 hours by car from Arcachon, but worth the visit) is Bilbao, Spain that has the fantastic Guggenheim Museum built by the famous Frank Gehry. The building itself is worth the trip. Don't forget to climb the largest sand dune 5 or 10 minutes from Arcachon. |
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Diane Churdar, Toledo, Ohio
419-885-1386 |
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