quartier du Garden Club, Branville, France | (888) 708-2081
Set in large
grounds in picturesque Normandy countryside
Family-focused,
self-contained holiday resort
Extensive
child-friendly activities and entertainment
Water park with
whirlpool, kids' pool, and heated pools
Self-catering
apartments -- many with balconies or terraces
20 minutes' drive
from Deauville
B&B, half-
and full-board options available
Wi-Fi expensive
No cable or
satellite TV
Some accommodation looks
dated and tired
Pierre &
Vacances Resort Normandy Garden is a large, mid-range, self-contained holiday complex
focused squarely on families with kids. Child-friendly facilities are excellent
and wide-ranging, encompassing all ages from babies to teens. With no spa and
little in the way of nightlife, however, adult-only activities are rather
limited. Also, although the "Village" is generally well-maintained,
some of the standard-level rooms are dated and in need of a makeover. All in all, it
might not be cheap for a holiday camp but the "VIP" accommodation is
worth the extra outlay and a good value for larger groups.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Family-focused, self-contained village resort with faux-country feel
A small, hedge-lined
country lane leads to a large pair of gates that mark the entrance into the
expansive and self-contained holiday resort of Pierre & Vacances Resort Normandy
Garden. The look and layout is that of a small town, with a series of interlinking
pathways lined with cottage-style houses and apartments, all set within a lush
and hilly 12-hectare estate consisting of eight "districts." Most of
the grounds are well-maintained with nicely tended lawns and shrubs, and include
a pond skirted with trees. Interiors lean towards a faux-country feel with
exposed brick and semi-timbered paneling alluding to the traditional Normandy
architecture of the area, while clientele leans heavily towards
vacationing-family-with-kids from around the continent.
Location
Surrounded by pretty Normandy countryside 20 minutes' drive from Deauville
The resort is
surrounded by woodland and fields in the middle of Normandy countryside in the
north of France. It is accessible via a small country road but fairly easy to
find and not too far from the A13 highway that connects directly to Paris in
about two hours. The popular tourist destinations of Trouville-sur-Mer and and Deauville are around 20 minutes by car, while the D-Day landing beaches can be found
along the same stretch of coastline within about one hour to 90 minutes. At Lisieux train station, about 15 miles away, visitors can arrange a taxi transfer to the hotel, however a private car
is recommended.
Rooms
Traditionally styled rooms, many with sea views
There are two
levels of accommodation at the resort: Select and VIP. While VIP houses are
tastefully finished in bright modern tones with earthy, contemporary furnishings, the
Select option tends to be pretty basic with dated interiors and occasional signs of wear. VIP accommodation also tends to be better located in the complex, and all include wooden terraces. Self-catering facilities come as standard and
include ceramic cooktop stoves (or hot plates in cottages), dishwashers, microwaves, kettles, and coffeemakers. Flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi are
available, though television channels are only national and there is a charge
for Internet.
Features
Wide range of facilities including water park and extensive kids' activities
The resort
provides an extensive range of sports and activities, including tennis and
basketball courts, quad biking, and horse-riding. The main feature, however, is
the covered "Aquagarden" -- a covered water park with whirlpool,
kids pools, and heated outdoor lagoon pool with numerous water jets. Child-friendly
facilities cover all ages, from baby-clubs to teen discos, as well as activity
programs for the whole family's participation. There is a restaurant on-site
offering an a la carte menu and buffet-style dishes, as well as half- or full-board
options. Wi-Fi is available, though it's on the pricey side, and many of the
resort activities also incur a fee.
