Re: Cottages de Lonvilliers
Posted by:
Cindy
(---.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com)
Date: July 24, 2009 12:54AM
Hi Bob
Here is my trip report-- we had a fabulous time!! We did sleep on the beach-- but only because the sun was sooo nice and warm and it seemed like a good way to while away some time :-)
We rented a car at the airport and drove up the west coast. I didn't do any driving, and according to my husband, it was a bit of an adventure, but I am glad we had the car as we managed to see quite a bit of the island. We arrived early, while Didier was having his lunch--he was having lunch and wasn't prepared to let us in early. We needed groceries anyway, and he told us we should drive into Phillipsburg to pick up supplies, the prices would be better. We were given one of the top units, and had a wonderful view of the water-- we had small birds that joined us on the balcony-- I think one of them might have been a gold finch-- very tame-- we put water in the ash tray and they splashed around in it, --one even perched on my leg for a bit.
We were given a beach pass by Didier, and that allowed us to use the chairs for free-- there were no umbrellas on 'our beach'-- which was ok with me, as I wanted to look like I had been south when we went home. Personally I thought our beach was just fine-- there was hardly ever anyone on it, so it was quite quiet and private. The water was amazing-- perfect temperature for cooling off. It might have taken us 5 minutes to walk down the hill to get to the beach (the exercise was good for us). We went to Orient Beach one day-- basically I can say -- we went there-- we walked along the beach for a bit, but were really not that impressed-- the chairs were lined up like theatre rows and the people were packed in like sardines-- for $10 a person (and I can't remember what currency) you got a chair, umbrella and a drink-- we opted for free chairs, drinks from our fridge and the privacy of our beach :-)
On Didier's advise, we also took a Scooby tour to Prickly Pear-- weather was perfect-- there were about 20 of us on the boat, and the island was something else. The lunch was very good, and the drinks even better :-) It was quite the feeling to sit back and think you were on such a small island in the middle of the ocean with only about 30 other people-- the world can really be a wonderfully small place.
Also on Didier's advise we went to Grand Case for the street festival and ate lolo (sp?) I think it might have been the last night for it, and it either was not very busy, or we left too early. The most unusual sight were the places that looked like people emptied out their liquor cabinets, set up a bar on the side of the road, and would sell you whatever you wanted to buy to drink while walking the street. Sure can't do that in Canada.
I had done a bit of research and discovered you are to go shopping in Phillipsburg on the days when there are not a lot of cruise ships docking- was able to find the schedule on the internet. However, I also heard that sometimes the deals are better when the crowds are bigger. I also heard that on one hand, you got better deals if you shopped at the end of the day, but I had someone offering me 'an early bird special' on perfume, but I had to buy it right then-- was kind of ticked off with myself because I had already bought it a couple of days before for more money :-( The jewelry store we went into, likes to make sure you are well hydrated in such hot weather, beer and wine are complimentary, even before you buy-- or maybe Bob just figured for sure he was going to convince us to buy.
As for the unit-- no complaints-- lots of room for the two of us, and very clean. The bathroom upstairs looked like the shower had been renovated recently-- maybe a bathtub had been taken out and replaced with a tub sized tiled shower-- very clean, and no mold what-so-ever-- we had a large vanity with double sinks, and there was a wired-in hair dryer. There was a welcome package of soap and shampoo, but you are expected to bring your own. The bed was rather different as it was so low to the ground, and I am pretty sure it was two twins pushed together, but it did not separate. It wasn't the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on, but I have slept on a lot worse. If you wish, and order the night before, Didier serves breakfast. We didn't ever have the breakfast, so I don't know how much it costs, or what it consisted of. You could also order baguettes, and other bread items and have them delivered to the unit.
The Radisson has re-opened, we passed thru the lobby going to and from the beach, and used the internet a few times. There is wireless service at the cottages, but we could not get our computer to see the signal. I am not so sure I would like to stay there. I don't believe there are many rooms that would have a water view, and the scenery from the balconies, could not begin to compare with our view. Plus, when I checked on line, it was very expensive to book.
We didn't do much cooking, and mostly ate around the resort-- didn't want to drink and drive. It was kind of expensive, but our logic was, that is part of the cost of the holiday. We found a Mexican place one night, I am not totally sure where we were, perhaps the Cul-de-sac (not very far from the Cottages, but we did have to drive). They took american dollars on par with the euro. It was a very small place, would maybe be able to seat 20 people -- but the food was very good, reasonably priced and a lot of fun. When we were finished our dinner, the waiter changed the music to 'the tequila' song while he served our unordered dessert-- tequila poppers, which he prepared and presented in a very theatrical way.
We went into Phillipsburg a few times, but I am glad we didn't stay in that area. Although my husband got a little bored towards the end of the week, all in all it was very relaxing, and we quite enjoyed the remoteness, the quiet, and the lack of hustle and bustle. Having the car, we were not far from anything we wanted to do.
Didier was a great help, as a tour guide, resource person, and one morning when we awoke to find the car had a dead battery (we think someone left the lights on)-- he was able to get the rental company to come to fix it at no charge to us-- and I am not sure we would have gotten the same results without him.
Would I go back and stay there-- yes, however, there is so much more of the world to see, it could be quite some time before we do.
Cindy
