I stayed at ste. Helene's 4times before Covid and my visits were outstanding, from the warm reception from Kay and Mark and the most comfortable beds of any of my many visits to France and the charm of olonzac and their b&b to the proximity of major areas of so. France such as Carcassonne, Toulouse, st. Guillem Narbonne, the Mediterranean and even medieval castles such as Montsegur. My stays were a true adventure. Thanks for the memories, my friends.
My wife and I stayed in the apartment at Saint Hélène for two full months after retiring earlier this year. The apartment itself is beautiful, full of French charm and character but also ‘fully-loaded’ in terms of everything that you could possibly need for a home-from-home stay. The hosts, Mark and Kay have really thought of everything from the crisp linen sheets to the L’Occitane products in the contemporary bathroom suite, their attention to detail is, in my experience, second to none, absolutely five stars across the board. However, it is their customer service that deserves a very special mention, they have been nothing short of outstanding since the moment we arrived and have helped us out of what may have otherwise been some very difficult situations, notably a trip to the local hospital within days of my arrival. I simply cannot praise them, or Saint Hélène highly enough. I cannot wait to return. Thank you both so very much, Pete and Yasmin…
Lovely place during my bikepacking trip. Kay and Mark are very warm and welcoming. Pleasure to stop here. Rooms are comfy, I'll certainly stop by if I'm back in the area. (For bikepackers, you can store your bike safely in the garage)
We love the “workaday” town of Olonzac which can only be described as “the real south of France”! And so staying in its’ centre is so appealing. You can walk out in the heat of the day – potter around its’ bustling Tuesday market (the best for miles around as it has an eclectic mix of food, gifts and clothes), and enjoy it’s restaurants and popular terraced cafes. After a walk to nearby Homps to experience the sights and sounds of the Canal du Midi, we loved that the Sainte Helene B&B was such a cool oasis of retreat! We parked right outside and its’ owners Kay and Mark were wonderfully welcoming! The beautifully decorated salon and dining room or the cool terrace under the grapevine were perfect spots for an afternoon of reading, or enjoying a cuppa. Early evening we helped ourselves to a glass (or 2!) of local rose from their well-stocked “honesty” bar. Chatting to them, you realise that you are in the centre of something special as they suggest a myriad of places to visit and provide local knowledge and stories about life in a small and charming French town – Olonzac is wonderfully French! Kay and Mark offer loads of suggestions for places to go and things to see – if you don’t want to self-drive they also offer their own week long insight tours which include a mix of wine touring, French cooking, local culture and history. Our room was delightful, bright and airy but with a cool, calm décor – perfect for the hot July day! Huge beds, quality linen and lovely French toiletries are provided along with tea and coffee making in your room (so many French owned B&B’s don’t bother with this and it’s a must for us!) The highlight of our stay was the breakfast – a great choice of healthy cereals, fruits, yoghurts as well as pastries, eggs, ham, cheese and other goodies really set you up for your day’s touring! We will be back!…
I stayed in the self-contained apartment at Ste Helene, and it perfectly fitted the bill for a week’s ‘retreat’ amidst a busy visit to friends nearby. The apartment is spacious and beautifully kitted out, with fantastic kitchen facilities, beautiful shower room, very comfortable bed, and many thoughtful and generous touches of luxury. The welcome from Kay and Mark was warm, and their assistance readily given when needed. If visiting again I would probably choose to stay in one of the rooms in the main house - due to proximity of the main road, which is busy mainly morning and eve of weekdays - but the apartment was ideal for independent living and cooking. Thanks Kay and Mark!
Our go to place when in the area. As on previous visits, Mark and Kay always provide a warm welcome and are the perfect hosts in this beautiful house. Plenty of helpful tips from both on where to go and things to do. Rooms and ensuites all lovely.
Central, spotless, lovely furnishings, helpful owners, great price Would totally recommend. Great location for exploring area and canals - bikes in apartment for use - one tip is pull back terrace door, have a glass of wine and enjoy being in your private little French apartment round the corner from shops, bars etc
Unfortunately our tour which was due to start on 23rd May was cancelled due to the outbreak. As soon as it was evident that cancellation was likely we received clear and accurate communication from Mark and Kay. No stupid comments just reliable up to date accurate information. Once the French Government made their position clear we were offered a 45% refund with the remainder being put towards a future tour. We were delighted with this outcome and look forward to travelling when safe to do so. I am sure it will be a 5 star experience if other reviews and our initial experience with the hosts are anything to go by. I will of course update this review once we have travelled but I wanted to put our experiences on record. We are obviously dealing with a very professional couple who want to do their best for their clients.…
I came to Olonzac to see the apartment I was interested in purchasing, but it had been bought by someone else. As I wanted to see the area in the off season, in case another place came on the market, the Sainte-Helene seemed a great choice for accommodation. However, my stay dates at the end of November coincided with their renovation dates. Ever welcoming, Mark and Kay offered the adjacent self catering apartment as an option. I accepted. The apartment is exactly as pictured. Spacious, with all the amenities, it was a comfortable, centrally located address. The shower was an absolute gem, with Occitane toiletries and a rain shower. As residents of the area for years, Mark and Kay were a fountain of knowledge about the area. Maps and brochures of the village and things to do were provided. And, excellent wine advice, as well. If given a second chance to return to Olonzac, I would choose any option the Sainte-Helene offers. The hospitality afforded me was unmatched. …
Mark and Kay are great hosts and offer mini tours in conjunction with their accommodation which I did with friends, staying 5 nights and it was fabulous. Felt like a visitor , not a tourist. Firstly the B & B is beautiful and charming with large rooms and bathrooms, quality fittings, and premium linen. Mark & Kay took us out each day to see all the special sights of the area, complemented by suberb food and local wines. What more could one want!! For those who do not wish to drive in France then this is just the best option .
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