Villa Augeval Boutique Hôtel & Spa — Hotel in Lisieux

We organised a late trip to France once I received the okay following various health issues. We were looking for a relaxing break by the coast for a few days and then a week of seeing the sights at another destination.||The one-star rating reflects the breakfast which was a very good continental style. However, the Augeval had many more negative points than positive. We had booked a ‘superior room’. We could find nothing superior about Room 206. Potential guests may wish to note the following:||The room||• Can only be accessed from the lift by crossing a narrow stairbridge over the main staircase with no complete steps or space from the lift (see picture)||• The narrow space outside the lift was blocked when we arrived and on two further occasions by the large cleaning trolley parked outside the lift and negotiating any rubbish left outside the rooms being cleared out (see picture). This is dangerous. I slipped down the stairs on my second morning in trying to negotiate access. At night lights are on a timer so you have to grope around for the switch in the pitch black. I dread to think of what might have happened if a fire had broken out. ||• It was lit by one window and decorated in depressing dark colours which emphasised the overall lack of light. There is no view worthy of note.||• The bed sits under the pitched roof so even for a short person like me, it is impossible to sit up in bed to read. ||• The refrigerator juts out from a shelf on the wall near the bed; hazardous particularly if getting up during the night ||• Beside the refrigerator is the only small clothes drawer in the room which has a protruding handle presenting a further hazard to negotiate||• We had to move the bed further into the room ourselves as the access next to the wall was so narrow||• The wardrobe contained 3 hangers, two of these contained old dressing gowns, we thought we would hang these in the bathroom so we could hang up clothes but one of the hangers on the back of the door was broken off .||• The only other cupboard was at a height and contained spare pillows. We ended up not unpacking as there was nowhere to put our clothes if we had||• The room had not been properly cleaned. There was an item in clear view in the middle of the floor. The bed had been sat upon and the same water sat in the bottom of the coffee maker from the time we arrived until we left. We did not use it.||• When we went to get into bed the first night, we found only a tired looking ‘pebble dash’ under sheet’ not a proper fitted sheet that matched the upper sheet and pillowcases. We had to get dressed and summon the night porter to put a proper sheet on. He tried to tell us the dimpled under sheet was a proper fitted top sheet, but nevertheless with our assistance we remade the bed ourselves with the cotton sheet, he located. For reasons best know to the hotel, this was changed the following day for a nasty cheap feeling flannelette fitted sheet.||Location /Surroundings||Potential guests should note||• The hotel is a good 30-minute walk from the town centre and 10-15 minutes from the board walk by the sea. It is 10-15 minutes’ walk from the horse racing track.||• Parking is on street only or in the grounds of the church opposite. We drove around for 30 minutes when we arrived as there was a race meeting on, so no parking free||• The swimming pool is a miniscule splash pool which we did not use. The garden was well kept. ||• The lobby is cramped and has a bar and two bar stools. It does not invite || relaxation.||• The breakfast room is pleasant enough but beware the staircase. An elderly man fell down the well-worn steep treads on our first morning.||||The Staff||Our overall impression was that other than the breakfast staff and one night porter they were rude and unhelpful. This contrasted sharply everywhere else we went during our stay in France. We always try to be polite and treat people the way we would wish to be treated, regretfully here this was not reciprocated.||• The message sent to us by email before our arrival said rooms would be available from 3 p.m. When we arrived, a few minutes before 3 p.m. the room was not ready. We pointed out what it said in the letter and the 3 young girls simply said it was wrong it should say 4 p.m. Given that this was there error it was poor that they offered no apology, no offer of a drink whilst we waited in the heat. We were just ignored whilst they gossiped. In the meantime, we saw another couple with a child arrive who were checked in immediately.||• At 4 p.m. we enquired again they looked annoyed but said they would call the room. Room still not ready, still no explanation, attempt to keep us informed or apology.||• At 4.20 p.m. we were finally checked in. We mentioned that this was not satisfactory and particularly the lack of remorse for the poor check in. The Receptionist said it wasn’t her fault the room wasn’t ready so she did not see why she should apologise!||• We had to try and negotiate 2 suitcases past the cleaning trolley, rubbish and narrow staircase to arrive at what had clearly been a rushed cleaning job. We came straight back down to ask to speak with the Manager.||• The Manageress came up to the room with us and saw the problem. She did apologise but said she had no other rooms available but would try to re allocate us the next day. We got the impression that we were being ‘fobbed off’. This proved entirely correct as no attempt was made to get us a different room.||• When I fell down the stairs, the cleaner heard the noise and came out to see but just shrugged her shoulders when we explained what had happened and went back to work.||• On check out when asked about our stay I also mentioned my fall and how hazardous access to this area was. This was met with another gallic shrug, no enquiry as to whether I was okay. They also mentioned that we had a child with us that they needed to charge for. We travelled as just a couple. We were left wondering if the couple we saw getting check in just after 3 on the first day had our room.||What a contrast to the second hotel we stayed in in Amiens. For the same price the location was central and excellent and we had a top floor, 3 room penthouse with a balcony and sauna. We will not be going back to...

We booked a family room for 1 night. The room itself was very nice, clean, spacious and we'll equipped. Staff seems nice, but there were some hiccups. Checked in and was directed to the elevator, which has 2 sets of levels, very confusing. Three rooms on 2nd level need to be reached by climbing small steps, which due to very short hallway, is incredibly loud everytime luggage is carried on these stairs. We were woken up at around 7 am by howling and yelping dogs. It's pet friendly hotel, which is great, but not at 7am. Between 7 and 10 am people came in and out of elevators and other 2 rooms and every voice, door closure and suitcase on wood steps is heard. Probably about 20 instances of disruptions. Suggestion would be to carpet the stairs and provide complementary earplugs, like on the plane, for your guests. Grounds and pool is very nice, kids enjoyed that. Service by pool is hit or miss. You will need to walk inside to the bar to get a drink if you are on the lounger. Grab your towels at reception before going to the pool. Just small things that would be nice to know when...

We were put in the room facing directly the road while I specifically asked foe the quiet room. Basically windows facing the busy road with cars, and people walking in front of the windows. Asked to change and we were told that it is « all booked » while we arrived at 3pm and obviously people were arriving after us. I suggest to go to other hotels and not take risk on a place where you will have cars pacing in from of your window, noise and not accommodating staff. Location is ok, it is not as good as written on the reviews - you are pretty far from the restaurants and beach. Spa is at additional cost which is ok, but I did want to try after bad experience with the room. Room itself is clean. Overall disappointed and it is totally expensive...