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"110% DO NOT RECOMMEND."
On the photos, this place looks like a nice time away, but when you are there, it’s horrendous. I’ll explain why.
Entering into the cottage, we were greeted by month-old spider webs in the bathroom, bedroom and the sitting area. The bathroom contained a huge spider with baby spiders nesting on its month-old spider web - not to worry we thought, and we killed it.
The next day, we were then knocked on by David (the owner) - me and my partner were half naked (privacy??) - and I spoke with him outside. He was talking about how Sykes Cottages is a rip off and then went onto mention a couple bringing a cat in a way you can tell he was about to slag them off - this was me and my partner, and I told him this. He then looked shocked as he knew that I knew he was about to badmouth me and my partner. The conversation ends a few sentences later.
The following day, our hot tub started to smell like rotten eggs (a chemical reaction caused by a PH imbalance) so we told David and David responds with “it might pay you to go in the shower before you go on”, implying me and my partner are scruffs on a basic. David then comes to the cottage, proceeds to put more chlorine in it (it needed the opposite of chlorine and I told him this) and we then waited to see if it was fine. NO it wasn’t fine, it smelt like bleach and when you put your nose close enough to it, the smell burnt your throat - we didn’t go in, obviously.
We then informed David that it now smelt like bleach and he then makes the same comment about going in the shower. He comes around to proceed to tell us he’d emptied it and had filled it back up. About 5 minutes after this call, me and my partner went and checked it to find that the hot tub had spontaneously heated instantly back up to 41.40 degrees - he hadn’t emptied it, but had just put the jets on - yes David, this is definitely solving the problem.
After this, we waited to see if it would get any better and the answer is no, it didn’t - it got worse. We then contacted David again to get the problem sorted, and he responds with the same comment, so I hang up - he comes around, does nothing again and off he trots. At this point, me and my partner had been more than fair and David wasn’t helping anyone, so we left 4 nights early.
By far out of all of the holidays I have ever had, and I have had a lot of holidays, this was the absolute worst and the absolute worst one could have possibly been - it was a literal nightmare. I preferred to be driving back home on the A1(M) at 1am than I did staying here - and to put the icing on the cake, David has not contacted us once after we left, of which evidently shows his lack of care for his customers, and his inability to provide even the slightest of decent business etiquette for his customers, or even himself.
Some things I haven’t mentioned:
1. The cottage hadn’t been cleaned in months and this was evident by the stains left in the bathroom, the month-old cob webs and the crumbs that were already on the floor,
2. The bed is rock-solid and doesn’t have a duvet - if you like sleeping like a normal person, go elsewhere or if you must go here, bring your own,
3. David watches you like a hawk and everything you do - don’t expect privacy with him, and almost certainly don’t expect him to help with anything - if he appears to be “helping” it’s simply to spy on you,
4. If your hot tub smells horrifically of chlorine/bleach, do NOT go in but also do NOT expect David to fix the issue - you may as well go home,
5. The TV’s aren’t smart TV’s, they are free view normal TV’s and this is a form of false-advertising,
6. Take all other ratings with a pinch of salt, it is unbelievable that anyone else has experienced a nice time at this place as it was literal hell for us.
It’s a true and absolute disappointment and shame that genuine customers looking for a nice place to go away, kick their feet up and relax away from stress and build life-long memories are duped into this nightmare of a holiday by and with David. Please trust me when I say this: IF YOU HAVE OPTIONS OF WHERE YOU GO, DO NOT GO HERE - AND DO NOT THINK ABOUT GOING HERE IF YOU DON’T HAVE OPTIONS - IT’S A MASSIVE WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME.
From all of that has happened, I will be making a formal complaint to Sykes and obtaining a full refund.
hello in response to this slanderous feedback we have received.
There is a lot of false accusations here and we've had no such complaint in the many years of running the holiday lets.
All holiday lets are cleaned prior to the guests arrival all the hot tubs are emptied and cleaned correctly, and filled back up with the correct chemicals.
This customer had complained twice and both times it was addressed almost immediately we always try to go out of the way for our customers, and we have many happy returning customers.
The customer left In the middle of the night and the key and electric fob for the gate has also not been returned and will need to be paid for if not returned within 7 working days.
In response to David not calling you after you had left , we do not want to invade customers, personal lives so we will not be calling a customer asking why they left in the middle of the night if they choose to do so.
We have never had such accusations made against the business , if this feedback is posted we will be seeking legal advice and potential action as this does not reflect the true nature of the business and the accusation of being spied on is a very strong accusation along with the rest of it A few cobwebs could of been missed but this will be changed of immediate effect, and hot tub "smelling " in your opinion does not reflect the feedback
Also we run a no pet site and we went out of our way to allow this customer to bring his cat so we definitely wouldn't of badmouthed him and his partner ,again going that extra mile for our customers.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Drue1.3★Aug 2024
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"The lodge it’s self was very nice,however we do think a few improvements could be made, there was not many cooking utensils so we ended up buying our own, also we think a bin should be provided in the bathroom and also a welcome pack to explain where everything is - WiFi password ect."
Other than that we had a lovely peaceful break.
Reviewed by Nathan3.8★Oct 2023
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"Lovely lodge in a nice location."
This is constructive criticism not a complaint. There was little to no kitchen utensils for a self catering lodge. The combo oven as advertised didn’t work however it had been replaced with a microwave. There were no utensils suitable to use in a microwave, not even a jug or any bowls other than cereal bowls. Fortunately we had taken an air fryer with us as we intended to cook, we would have struggled without it. Apart from that a lovely stay.
Reviewed by Maxine4.1★Sep 2023
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"Lovely property with all facilities as described and in quiet area."
Local Pub only 10 minutes walk away serving lovely meals and drinks.
Property within travelling area for Stratford upon Avon, Blenheim Palace , Oxford and all the small Cotswold villages.
Wouldn’t hesitate to book again
Reviewed by David Nicholas5.0★Aug 2022
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"Absolutely stunning views, most relaxing weekend I’ve ever had."
Reviewed by John5.0★Oct 2021
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"Excellent location for exploring the Cotswolds, short drives to plenty of walks and villages."
Hot tub and countryside views were the highlights. Lodge is kitted out pretty well for the size, a couple more glasses and pots/pans would be useful and better quality/larger towels would be any easy improvement. WiFi was surprisingly stable and fast, TVs have Freeview but they are not smart TVs so worth bringing a streaming device, our Chromecast worked a treat. Mostly very quiet, dependent on the neighbours you get in the other 3 lodges, which are arranged so the decking is just out of sight of each other but sound travels easily between them. We only had a couple of nights of noisy music and loud talking from one less considerate set of neighbours. Suggest the owner gives some basic guidelines on noise e.g. avoid music after 11pm. Host was friendly and left us to it unless we needed something. Had a great relaxing stay!
Reviewed by Gareth4.4★Aug 2021
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"David and Natty are fabulous hosts - the site and cottages are kept meticulous clean to a high standard."
The hot-tubs are amazing and easy to operate and you are shielded from other guests.
If you want peace and quiet this is the place to be - apart from the odd bird flying over, it is very quiet and peaceful.
The view is uninterrupted and stunning.
We will be returning in the future.
Thank you so much for a fabulous time.
Mark and Annette (July 2021)
Reviewed by Mark5.0★Jul 2021
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"Nice and quiet place."
The hot tub was fantastic.
Reviewed by Attila5.0★Jun 2021
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"Amazing place , stunning views ,perfect place to relax"
Reviewed by Lynsey5.0★Jun 2021
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"A great place to stay."
Good price. Good location. Well maintained. Excellent hosts.
Reviewed by Adrian4.7★Jun 2021
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"Lovely and peaceful surrounding."
Hosts were very helpful and always at hand if you needed anything
Reviewed by Andy5.0★Jun 2021
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"It was a lovely time ."
Everything was perfect. Privacy in 100%. Thank you for the little gift.
Reviewed by Monika5.0★May 2021
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"Lovely retreat for adults only ."
Quite, tranquil. Very clean lodge with fantastic hot tub and power shower . Fantastic hosts . Close to lots of places of interest.
Reviewed by Gary5.0★Apr 2021
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"Lovely if you want to escape the world for a few days (or weeks) in luxury."
Everything you need is there in the cabin. And the hosts are friendly and on hand to help with anything you need (but also gave us plenty of space).
Beautiful views from the cabin, lots of privacy. Enjoyed being greeted by pheasants every morning.
Walking distance to a little community shop with everything you might need (with some very friendly sheep in the field opposite). Driving distance to Stratford upon Avon and Evesham.
Reviewed by Rachel5.0★Apr 2021
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