Cognac Retreat

Just back from a fantastic 2 weeks at Cognac Retreat (Ty Gwyn). A wonderful house with all the amenities you could ask for when looking for a chilled holiday in the French countryside. Communication with John was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble. Although in a peaceful location we were not too far from supermarkets and places to visit. Would definitely recommend and look forward to returning for another holiday.

The house and garden were just perfect for a week away from the daily hustle nd bustle. Even though the week was very warm, there was always shade to be found in the garden - and we spent most days relaxing there in the afternoon, listening to the birds incl. a Golden Oriole whilst reading. The house itself stayed refreshingly cool. The kitchen was thoughtfully equipped so it was easy to prepare simple meals to eat outside. And the welcome gifts were exactly that - welcome. It was a lovely touch - as was the bottle of cold water waiting for us in the fridge. Would heartily recommend.

We stayed at the Cognac Retreat for a week in June. The house is great inside and out, with plenty of space and we spent lots of time relaxing in the lovely garden and pool. There is a bakery in the nearby village of Lonzac, which does lovely aguettes, and Cognac is nearby, with is a great town to wander around. We found that there was loads to do in nearby town such as Saintes and we did a trip to the coast at Royan which was only a 30 minute drive away. We’ve stayed in many different gites in our time and this was one of the best equipped and maintained. Highly recommended.

We can categorically say that we will be returning to the Cognac Retreat! This is the perfect place to sit back an relax. The house is full of character and offered ample space. The open plan kitchen diner was the perfect space to cook whilst socialising with the family. For our children, the outdoor pool was fantastic for cooling down and having fun, and during the evenings, the house was stocked with games and books to keep them entertained. We would highly recommend a visit a morning visit into Cognac to visit the market and also to Plage des Nonnes beach in Meschers - both superb days out

We had a fantastic 2 weeks in this gorgeous house. It was so relaxing, and had everything we needed. We really appreciated the pool on hot days, and the local area is delightful. John was impressively quick to sort out any issues.

A very complete house with a lot of space. very nice for children with large garden with vegetables and swimming pool. Quiet neighborhood, although a lot of things to do and visit in a short driving distance. We had a wonderful time!

We spent a wonderful three weeks here. The house is ideal for a family with children - ours’ loved the swimming pool, watering and picking the fruit and vegetables in the garden and around, and getting to know the local wildlife (hedgehogs, herons, owls). There are also lots of games and books to keep children occupied on rainy days. We spent many lovely afternoons relaxing in the garden and exploring the local countryside on short walks. When we wanted to venture a bit further afield the house was well-situated for visiting various beaches, villages and La Rochelle.

Just what we were looking for - an idyllic retreat away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The house is fantastic and has everything you will need during your holiday - it's a great size, obviously lovingly restored by John and his family. The bedrooms were nice and cool and there were plenty of fans to use when it was hot. The garden is beautiful and the pool is great fun, perfect for a dip on a hot day. My children loved looking after and picking the fresh veg and we really enjoyed the tomatoes and roasting the courgettes to go with our barbeque. We highly recommend this fab property!

We had a wonderful stay at this lovely, peaceful family friendly house in the heart of Cognac. It is beautifully appointed with plenty of space for all. We loved the garden for relaxing and dining or playing competitive rounds of badminton, the pool is especially good for children. It is a short to drive to Cognac town for resupplies of local wine and an excellent French indoor market. Close by there are walks through fields of sunflowers, or cycling to the nearby villages, this is a beautiful part of France we cannot recommend enough. Thank you for a fantastic holiday. We will be back!

We have been staying in this wonderful house for the last 5 summers and will continue to do so. It has everything that our family of 5, including young children to older teenagers, could possibly want. The property is beautiful, comfortable, spacious, and utterly peaceful. The owner's attention to detail, high level of care and thoughtfulness is apparent in every aspect. The surrounding area is idyllic. I wholeheartedly recommend this property to all.

Had forgotten how quiet the world could be. If you want to pull out of the fast lane and need a serious unwind this is the place. This is a deeply relaxing part of the world. I came down here to paint and was struck by the vast landscapes and dramatic skies. You could drive for miles and see no one. A van parked by the side of a vineyard and one would look for the farmer. Sometimes literally Kms away chopping off side shoots on individual vines. The house notes cover everything and the owners love for the house and area becomes infectious. You want to look after this place. It has it all!

A more peaceful and serene place with modern but tasteful and hospitable interior. Longing to go back as soon as possible!