“A very tired house, furniture downstairs really needs changing.”
Walking into a house that smells musky, the sort of smell my granny's house smelt like in fact isn't something that is nice being on holiday, putting up with it in my grans house is one thing, a holiday home completely different. The cottage was filthy, grease on the kitchen walls and utensils isn't nice and I needed to wash cutlery before feeling that it was safe to use. The grill didn't work and therefore I couldn't cook any bacon but thinking back I wouldn't have wanted to, the roasting tray with the too small grill rack in it was very greasy, the oven smelt of a deep fryer. There were cobwebs all over the place and it was pretty dusty. The duvet sheets smelt musky also. Very disappointed with this cottage, if we hadn't of managed to walk up snowdon with our 3 year old we would have returned home earlier than planned but we did manage to walk up the mountain and therefore too tired to drive the 4 hours back home. We stayed with a 3 year old and it wasn't nice to be holidaying in such filth as a young family. Not sure why it is rated 4, it is far from it although has great potential. The owners aren't just nearby they are on the doorstep, pictures to this cottage needs to include where the owners house is because it is deceiving if never stayed before, the description needs to change to the neighbours are next door instead of nearby, nearby is an understatement. Although they weren't looking over it felt like they were and the privacy was almost gone, had we of known how close they were we would never of stayed. We feel really disappointed as sykes is a reputable company and we expected much better from them, it has damaged our confidence and will never book again through sykes, it has almost put us off staying in cottages full stop.
Dear Guest
I am sorry to hear you had such a very disappointing stay. Regarding the furnishings and fittings, these are gradually replaced as and when needed, as my ethos is to avoid unnecessary waste going into the environment. The aim is for the cottage to feel traditional, cosy and comfortable, and I take great pride in this. The photos on the website were taken earlier this year, so I am not sure why you booked if the property is not to your taste?
I cannot account for the ‘musky’ smell you refer to in the cottage generally or in the freshly laundered bedlinen, which smells of fabric conditioner. I have had several people in the cottage since then who have not noticed any damp smell (assuming that is what you mean by 'musky'), even when I've asked them. At each changeover high and low dusting and hoovering are done, and the hard floors are steam cleaned. In the kitchen, the hob, oven and roasting tray are cleaned and the tiles are wiped, but washing up is not usually included. I am sorry that you found the place ‘filthy’ but accept this is your subjective view.
It's a shame you had difficulty operating the grill, which is in full working order. The manual for the oven is included in the welcome pack, and of course, I would have been happy to help if you had asked. I will do a ‘quick start’ guide in case others have similar difficulties. The cooker was supplied with a roasting tin but no grill rack, so I will also look for a grill rack which fits the roasting tin better.
We did not meet during your brief stay, as you were not available when I popped over to say hello at the start of your visit. Indeed, I did not see you at all, so it is hard to understand your feeling of a lack of privacy. For the benefit of future guests who may have similar concerns, I live in a farmhouse on site. The front door of both properties face in the same direction, as if on a street, and there is approximately 35 m (115 ft) distance between the two front doors.
Property Owner
