Just back yesterday from this trip. I booked this in September 2017 when the itinerary and hotel were somewhat different to those currently advertised and which we experienced. I booked direct with JY and in December 2017 had a letter outlining changes to the hotel and itinerary which were fine by me. However, talking to some on the trip who had booked via 3rd parties, there were people who booked early but only learned of changes when the final documentation came through. I did post an alert on the forum https://forum.justyou.co.uk/thread-86163.html?highlight=Monet but whilst it was viewed there were no responses.

There were around 40 of us on the trip. There were quite a number travelling with friends but everyone mingled quite happily but apologies to anyone I missed as there were really only a couple of days o get to know people.

Versailles & Paris by night were optional extras, which I went on, but the hotel was quite isolated as far as I could judge so there did not seem to be much in the way of alternate attractions if you did not do these.

My room in the hotel was fine (only in it to sleep) but I heard one or two people had a couple of issues but not sure if these were resolved.

The hotel itself is a bit of a warren with things on different levels (lifts available) but once you got your bearings I found everything ok. A couple of issues with the hotel in that on day one although breakfast was said to be available from 7.00am ours would not be ready until 8.00am but TM Corrine Mayne made sure all were fed before our day out. Also room keys had a habit of cutting out meaning a treck back to reception to get these reset.

There was a ticket hiccup at Versailles in that they knew nothing about our booking but we were told these turned up in an in tray as the Versailles people had not got round to processing this.

Weather was thought to be an issue but forecast rain stayed away & although the sun was not always shining it was dry for us to enjoy the various gardens.

The house at Versailles was interesting but crowded & they really should not allow tour guides to stop and block small rooms when there are free audio guides on offer. Vast gardens, very formal, to enjoy but very green thus setting you up for the colours next day.....

The highlight for me was Monet's garden - a sheer delight.

But a message to travellers - when the TM says meet at whatever time to go home that is the time he/she means - not turn up an hour late with search parties out looking for you!!

One or two hiccups but a great tour with a lovely group of people. Highly recommended.

Well done to Corrine for looking after us.

Ian

Hi Ian

Thank you for the review. It is annoying when someone does not return at the set time. Sometimes people do get a little bit lost, but not turning up for an hour or so is not on. If I was the tour manager, I would leave then behind. This is the only way they would learn the lesson though I would not be a very popular tour manager!

Regards

Jaya

Hi Jaya,

This is of course one of the reasons the TM gives out a 'phone number....... A few years ago with AN Other company we were en-route to Barcelona & stopped off somewhere for sightseeing. Suffice to say someone was missing and after waiting over an hour and sending out search parties etc we had to move on without said person. On arrival at our hotel the TM was somewhat annoyed (I put that mildly!) to find the person already in the hotel trying to check in! Apparently they turned up for departure an hour early and assuming we had gone went & caught the train.......

Hiccups apart it was a very enjoyable trip with a wonderful display of wisteria in Monet's Garden.

And I have been in the garden here this afternoon trying to narrow down the JY holiday bucket list with the new brochure.

Hello Ian and Jaya,

I agree Jaya with leaving them behind. Makes you wonder if they had changed their watches? I had planned on doing this trip next year. Do not like the sound of this hotel if you had all this trouble Ian!

Thank you for the review. Hope JY take notice.

Jan

Hi Jan,

Versailles & Monet's Garden more than made up for any hiccups elsewhere so don't be put off. Our TM was very good and any issues were, so far as I am aware, resolved. The layout of the hotel took a bit of getting used to but by day 2 it was easy enough to find your way around.

Versailles & Paris by night are optional extras so not sure what you would do if you did not opt in as the hotel was quite isolated. One person opted out of Versailles but came with us to the palace and then went off to the town and apparrently had a good time exploring there.

Ian