Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay at Le Haut Berry Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Le Haut Berry - Does it REALLY Deliver the Dream? My Honest, Messy Take.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – the French tea, mind you – on Le Haut Berry. "Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Stay Awaits!" they holler. Dream stay, huh? Well, I've been dreaming of a decent coffee for the past hour, so let's see if this place can actually deliver. And yes, this is going to be long. Because, frankly, a good review is like a good French meal: you need time to savor it, digest it, and then maybe question all your life choices afterwards.
First Impressions: The Accessibility, the Hustle, and the… Elevator?
Let's be real, accessibility is huge for a lot of us, myself included (bad knees, you know?). Le Haut Berry boasts about "Facilities for disabled guests." Okay, good start. I saw an elevator. Yay! Elevators are a godsend when you're lugging luggage (and your aching bones) around. However, I didn't specifically test the wheelchair accessibility of everything. I'd need a more in-depth look, so if you’re seriously dependent on that, double-check with the hotel directly. Don't just trust some rambly review like this one, even though I am trying to be thorough! They also have a car park that's free, which is a massive win in my book. Parking is the bane of my existence. And they have a car power charging station! Nice touch, future-forward thinking.
Cleanliness and Safety: Are We Surviving the Apocalypse?
Post-pandemic travel is a whole thing, right? Le Haut Berry gets points for the "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," and the "Rooms sanitized between stays." I mean, that's reassuring. I did notice the staff were wearing masks and were pretty diligent about it. And the "Hand sanitizer" stations were plentiful. I'm a hand sanitizer fiend, so I appreciated that. They also have "Staff trained in safety protocol." Which is great, but I can't exactly see how trained they are, can I? I'm taking them at their word. They also have "First aid kit," "Doctor/nurse on call" – all good to have, even if you hope you don't need them. "Hygiene certification"? That’s a nice feather in their cap.
The Room: My Tiny Kingdom (Or, The Search for the Perfect Pillow)
My room was… okay. I wouldn't call it a palace, but it was clean. The "Air conditioning" was a lifesaver, because, let's be honest, France can get hot. They had "Blackout curtains" (thank GOD!), a "Coffee/tea maker" (essential), and "Free Wi-Fi" (which, by the way, worked!). I’m a sucker for good "Complimentary tea," and they didn't disappoint. The "Bathrobes" were fluffy, and I spent a good hour just existing in one. There was a "Desk" (which is handy if you're trying to pretend you're working), and the "Bed" was comfy enough, although I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pillow. (Seriously, if anyone knows where to find one, let me know). "Non-smoking" is a must for me, and thankfully, they delivered on that front. I appreciated the "In-room safe box" for my passport and valuables, and the "Mini bar" was well-stocked, even if I didn't indulge (much). I didn't get to test the "Interconnecting room(s) available," so I can't speak to that. But the "Soundproofing" was pretty decent; I didn't hear my neighbors singing opera at 3 AM. The "Shower" was good, the "Toiletries" were decent, and the "Towels" were fluffy. All the necessary things.
Dining: A Gastronomic Adventure… or a Quest for a Decent Croissant?
Okay, let’s talk food. This is where things get… complicated. Le Haut Berry has a lot of options. Restaurants? Plural. "A la carte in restaurant," "Breakfast [buffet]," "Buffet in restaurant," "Coffee/tea in restaurant," "Desserts in restaurant," "International cuisine in restaurant," "Poolside bar," "Restaurants," "Vegetarian restaurant," "Western breakfast," "Western cuisine in restaurant." Phew!
The breakfast buffet was… fine. The "Breakfast [buffet]" was the usual continental fare. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was adequate, but nothing to write home about. I was secretly hoping for a magical croissant experience, but… it was just okay. Honestly, I've had better croissants from a gas station. I tried the "International cuisine in restaurant" one night, and it was… passable. The "Poolside bar" was a nice touch, and the drinks were strong. The "Vegetarian restaurant" had options, which is always a plus. I didn’t get a chance to try the "Asian breakfast" or "Asian cuisine in restaurant", but I'm intrigued. The "Room service [24-hour]" is a definite plus, especially when you're battling jet lag and just want to eat a burger in your bathrobe at 2 AM. They even have "Alternative meal arrangement"!
My Obsession: The Spa and Pool with a View (and a Near-Disaster)
Okay, here's the part where I really let loose. The spa. The "Pool with view". This is where Le Haut Berry almost won me over completely.
They have the "Spa", the "Spa/sauna", the "Steamroom," the "Swimming pool [outdoor]", the "Body scrub", the "Body wrap", "Foot bath", "Massage", "Sauna"… It's a spa lover's dream! I booked a massage. It was… heavenly. Seriously, I think I may have actually fallen asleep. The masseuse was skilled, the music was soothing, and the whole atmosphere was just… bliss. Then, I went to the "Swimming pool [outdoor]". And the view. Oh, the view. Rolling hills, blue skies, and a sense of complete and utter peace. I was floating in the water, staring at the scenery, and feeling like I'd finally, finally, escaped the chaos of everyday life. Pure. Bliss. I have a whole section dedicated to the pool, I'm going to keep going on about it.
Here's where the near-disaster comes in. I was so relaxed, so lost in the moment, that I nearly forgot to reapply sunscreen. My pale skin started to turn a rather alarming shade of lobster. Lesson learned: even in paradise, you need to protect your skin! But the pool itself… It was the highlight of my stay. I spent hours there, just swimming, relaxing, and soaking up the sun (with copious amounts of sunscreen after that initial scare). The pool is definitely a selling point. The "Pool with view" is exactly as advertised.
Things to Do (Besides Nearly Becoming a Lobster):
Le Haut Berry has some options. They have a "Fitness center" and a "Gym/fitness," but let's be honest, I'm on vacation. I’m not exactly there to work out. They also have "Things to do," but they're vague about it. They have a "Terrace," which is a nice place to sit and have a drink. "Babysitting service" and "Family/child friendly" are available, which is great for families. There's a "Gift/souvenir shop" if you need to buy something for the folks back home. I saw a "Shrine," which seemed a bit random. They also offer "Outdoor venue for special events", which is cool if you’re planning a wedding or a massive garden party.
Services and Conveniences: The Small Stuff That Matters
Le Haut Berry provides many services. "Concierge," "Daily housekeeping," "Dry cleaning," "Elevator," "Ironing service," "Laundry service," "Luggage storage," "Cash withdrawal," "Currency exchange," "Doorman," and "Safety deposit boxes" are included. I appreciated the "Daily housekeeping," which kept my room tidy. The "Concierge" was helpful with recommendations. The "Cash withdrawal" was a lifesaver, as I had completely forgotten to get Euros. They even had "Contactless check-in/out", which is great for the germaphobes among us (me).
For the Kids (Because, Let's Face It, We All Need a Break):
They have "Babysitting service," "Family/child friendly," and "Kids facilities," which is a huge plus for families. I didn't need any of these, but I saw plenty of families enjoying themselves. They also had "Kids meal," which is always a good sign.
The Verdict: Is Le Haut Berry Worth the Escape?
Look, Le Haut Berry isn't perfect. The croissants
Escape to Paradise: Blue Heaven Poomala, Thrissur's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, glorious mess that was my trip to Appart'Hôtel Le Haut Berry in Soulangis, France. This isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-perfect itinerary, oh no. This is the raw, unfiltered truth – the good, the bad, and the frankly embarrassing. Consider this your digital diary, complete with coffee stains and existential dread.
The Soulangis Saga: A Week of French Fumbling (and Possibly Wine)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Fridge Fiasco
- Morning (or what passes for morning after a red-eye): Arrive at Charles de Gaulle, looking less "sophisticated traveler" and more "haggard potato sack." The flight was a blur of crying babies, questionable airplane food, and the desperate need for caffeine. Seriously, if anyone invents a coffee IV, sign me up.
- Afternoon: The rental car. Oh, the rental car. Picture this: me, attempting to navigate Parisian traffic in a tiny, unfamiliar car, while simultaneously trying to understand the French GPS lady who, let's be honest, sounded like she was actively trying to get me lost. Successfully made it out of Paris and began the drive to Soulangis.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrived at Appart'Hôtel Le Haut Berry. First impressions? Charming, in a slightly faded, "your grandma's summer cottage" kind of way. The apartment itself was…cozy. And by cozy, I mean the kitchen was about the size of a postage stamp. But hey, it had a balcony!
- The Great Fridge Fiasco: Unpacked, settled in, and then…the fridge. Dead. Stone cold. Panic ensued. Visions of warm cheese and spoiled wine danced in my head. Called reception, and thankfully, they were saints. A repairman arrived, muttered something in French (which I, of course, didn’t understand), and miraculously, the fridge came back to life. Crisis averted. Commence wine consumption.
Day 2: Chasing Lavender Dreams (and Finding a Donkey)
- Morning: Sleep in. Glorious, uninterrupted sleep. The bed was a cloud. I needed that.
- Mid-Morning: Headed out to explore. The plan? Lavender fields. I was picturing myself frolicking through purple meadows, feeling all romantic and French. The reality? A long drive, a slight wrong turn, and finally, a field that was… well, it was lavender-adjacent. Still pretty, though!
- Afternoon: Found a charming village, completely by accident. Wandered around, getting lost in the cobblestone streets, and stumbled upon a local market. Bought some cheese (again, because apparently, I have a cheese problem), fresh bread, and a ridiculously large baguette.
- The Donkey Encounter: While driving back, I saw it. A donkey. Standing in a field, looking utterly majestic. I pulled over, hopped out of the car, and, without thinking, started talking to it. I’m pretty sure I was babbling about my life, my fridge troubles, and my profound love for cheese. The donkey just stared at me. It was a beautiful, surreal moment. I named him Bartholomew.
- Evening: Back at the apartment, attempted to cook. The baguette? Stale. The cheese? Still good. Dinner? A disaster. But hey, at least the wine was cold.
Day 3: Sancerre and the Existential Dread of Croissants
- Morning: The croissant dilemma. So, so many croissants. They're everywhere! But the pressure! To choose the perfect one! To not look like a complete idiot when ordering! I spent a solid ten minutes agonizing over the pastry case at the local boulangerie. Eventually, I pointed, mumbled something in broken French, and grabbed a croissant. It was delicious. But the existential dread lingered.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Sancerre wine region. Gorgeous rolling hills, vineyards as far as the eye could see, and the crisp, refreshing taste of Sauvignon Blanc. We went to a vineyard tour. The guide was a delightful, elderly woman who spoke in rapid-fire French. I understood about 10% of what she said, but I nodded and smiled a lot. The wine tasting was, of course, the highlight. I may or may not have bought a bottle (or three).
- Afternoon: Lunch at a small bistro in Sancerre. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was perfect, and I swear, I could have stayed there all day.
- Evening: Back at the apartment, attempting to speak French on the phone with the landlord. It was a hilarious, painful, and ultimately successful experience. I managed to convey that I needed more towels.
Day 4: Bourges and the Cathedral That Stole My Soul
- Morning: A day trip to Bourges. The cathedral there is, well, it's breathtaking. The stained-glass windows are like nothing I've ever seen. I spent what felt like hours just staring at them, completely mesmerized. It was a truly spiritual experience, even for a cynical city dweller like myself.
- Afternoon: Wandered through Bourges, visiting the old town.
- Evening: A quiet dinner at the apartment, reflecting on the day.
Day 5: The Market, the Mishaps and the Magical Sunset
- Morning: Headed to the local market in Soulangis. The colors, the smells, the sheer abundance of fresh produce! I bought far too much, including some gorgeous peaches that I devoured the moment I got back to the apartment.
- Afternoon: Another minor car mishap. This time, I scraped a wheel against a curb. Not a major catastrophe, but it was enough to make me question my driving skills.
- Late Afternoon: Found a perfect spot overlooking the countryside. Watched the sunset. The sky was ablaze with color. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated peace. I felt like I could conquer the world… or at least, make it through another day of French life.
- Evening: More wine. More cheese. More general contentment.
Day 6: The Drive Back to Paris and the Bitter-Sweet Farewell
- Morning: Packing. The dreaded packing. Trying to squeeze all my souvenirs (and cheese) into my suitcase.
- Afternoon: The drive back to Paris. The GPS lady decided to be extra unhelpful today.
- Evening: Arrived back at the airport. Said a bittersweet goodbye to France.
Day 7: Departure
- Morning: Arrived home. Immediately missed France.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of frustration, moments of panic, and moments where I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry. But it was also filled with beauty, laughter, and a sense of adventure that I won't soon forget. Would I go back? Absolutely. In a heartbeat. I'll probably need to learn some more French, though, and maybe take a driving lesson or two. And definitely bring more cheese. À bientôt, France!
Escape to Paradise: Karachi's Hidden Gem, Kehkashan Guest House
Escape to Paradise: Le Haut Berry - Your Dream Stay? (Let's Be Real...)
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise" sounds a bit… much. What *actually* is Le Haut Berry? Like, in real-people terms?
Is it REALLY as peaceful as the pictures make out? Because sometimes those photos are just… lies.
What's the food situation? Can I actually *eat* something besides baguettes and cheese?
The pool. Is it as idyllic as it looks in the photos? Because pools are often… disappointing.
What’s the Wi-Fi situation like? Because I need to Instagram my croissants, obviously.
Is it kid-friendly? Because my kids are… well, they're kids.
Anything I should be aware of that the brochure *won't* tell me?
Okay, you mentioned that you stayed in "La Grange" - give me the lowdown on that specific gîte, the good, the bad, and the ugly!
