The Ingle

We arrived at “The Ingle” on the evening of August 10, and I wrote to Sykescottages right away on August 11 to complain about how dirty the cottage was.

On August 14, I sent additional photos and asked for a response. My boyfriend and travel companion also wrote right from the beginning to Sykescottages—including via WhatsApp—and received no response or helpful assistance. The first detailed response didn’t arrive until one week after my first email and complaint. We bought cleaning supplies and thoroughly cleaned the cottage. We swept the floors and mopped them several times, washed down the heater, and dusted and wiped down the shelves. We removed the rug in the living room, cleared out all the sand and dirt that was underneath it, and scrubbed the floor. Completely dusty laundry supplies were stored under the bed, and the entire floor beneath the bed and under the clothes rack was completely filthy and dusty. The entire cottage was in an unacceptable condition. We therefore considered that the accommodation service was not provided with the reasonable care and skill required under Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Given the severely unclean condition of the property upon arrival; • the substantial amount of cleaning required; • the fact that two guests spent an entire day cleaning the property; • the loss of valuable holiday time; • the additional cost of cleaning materials; and • the failure to provide an adequate and timely response to our complaint, we considered a reduction of the accommodation price to be a reasonable and proportionate remedy. After this email we got no answer and still haven‘t got - can’t recommend booking with Holidu/Sykescottages. The Cottage itself was really nice with a lovely view - but as I wrote in an unacceptable condition. Still looking forward for a some respond from Sykescottages…

It was perfect for us; we had read the reviews and expected it to be less clean than it was, there were a few cobwebs around the cottage and crumbs in the kitchen but nothing was dirty.

Towels and bedding were all clean and the bed was comfortable. It could do with a general refresh (paint work was chipped in places, the door to the ‘shed’ is rotten and there were mice inside it, the outside bench could do with repainting, the upvc entrance door is damaged so only one can be used, the microwave surround and sink in the kitchen could do with a little attention, the shower leaks to the floor below after 90 seconds, even when the doors are fully closed and the fridge door doesn’t close properly) however, all that is insignificant because of the view from the outdoor area, and the surroundings of The Rock. We felt that, compared with the rental prices of other properties in the area, The Ingle offered good value for money and offered us a lovely home from which we could explore all the delights of Barmouth.

The directions aren't great - look for The Tilman pub - The start of the long uphill slog is opposite.

Make sure you aren't desperate for a wee too! It is one heck of a trek, better suited to mountain goats. The view at the top is wonderful though. Presumably this is why the 'cleaner' doesn't appear to have tackled the shower, floors, surfaces or numerous cobwebs for quite some time, they must be exhausted by the time they get up there. It's a lovely cottage with so much potential, but really needs a good scrub from top to bottom. The towels have seen better days too, take your own - and bedding if you have room as what is there does not have that freshly washed smell, which does make you wonder... Oh yes, and the shower leaks - i suspect this is because the sealant needs replacing around the inside of the tray and the plug hole cleaning out more frequently, rather than because the doors aren't shut properly as stated in the handwritten note that warns of this as if that is acceptable rather than dealing with the actual problem. A new mattress wouldn't go amiss either as the memory foam appears to be getting rather forgetful. The Indian restaurant- Saffron - is highly recommended, as is the steak and ale pie at The Royal, Barmouth itself was lovely, the accommodation less so.