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"Cottage really lovely could do with a larger coffee table in the living room."
We had slugs in the bathroom a couple of times due to the rain we had I think it wasn’t a problem we just removed them. Could maybe do with a guest book to write in.
The swimming pool was amazing we will definitely come again we loved it
Reviewed by Julie4.1★Oct 2024
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"Very comfortable, a real home from home."
It is well equipped and the welcome pack is much appreciated.
Just one thing I would like to point out and that is the start button on the washing machine is a bit iffy, sometimes it works straight away, other times it takes ages to get it to connect. Think it could do with looking at.
Reviewed by David5.0★Sep 2024
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"Excellent cottage."
Pity Sykes administration is so poor. See my e-mails re loyalty bonus to which you have not replied. B Copland.
Reviewed by Bruce5.0★Sep 2024
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"We liked our cottages and the goodies left for us."
Good area for short walks and near coastal villages, etc.
It was very comfortable and well stocked in the kitchen
Friendly farmhands easy walking around the specially prepared footpaths
Only issue I had was a lack of maintenance in the the bathroom - could do with change of silicone to tidy up the shower area
Reviewed by Stephen4.7★Sep 2024
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"Wonderful holiday in a lovely cottage."
Cosy and fully equipped. Views from the garden were breathtaking. Would highly recommend this location. Looking forward to returning next year.
Reviewed by David5.0★Aug 2024
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"Great holiday."
Coastal walks and sightseeing. The photos are a true reflection. The property is located by a B road, but we didn’t find traffic noise an issue. Liked sitting in the porch area and enjoying the morning sun, but sheltered from the wind. Used the pool facilities which were well maintained.
Reviewed by Karen5.0★May 2024
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"Had a lovely stay in The Retreat."
Compared to the other properties the wee cottage is not modern or 'chic' but we knew that before we went as the photos are accurate. The cottage was clean, fully equipped and warm and the bread/milk/butter/OJ was a nice touch. We had a dog and there is a garden BUT its not enclosed so had to let her out on her lead to do her business which was ok in May but maybe in the winter a bit grim. It would be easy to enclose the garden. Slight criticism would be the curtains in the two bedrooms are thin so daylight from 5am, some may not bother but quite bright if you want a cheeky lie in on holiday. We made use of the pool which was clean and great you get the slot to yourself. A fabulous holiday in a great part of the country and great the owners cut the grass to make the walk to the beach and into the village easy.
Thank you for your feedback. The owner likes the gardens to be open and not enclosed
Property Owner
Reviewed by Claire5.0★May 2024
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"Fabulous cottage."
Clean, comfortable, and pleasant, plus excellent heating.
Along with the use of the swimming pool, it made the holiday most enjoyable. (Could do with a gym putting in on site!)
Had a most relaxing and enjoyable holiday, and have already booked The Retreat again for September.
Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay and our facilities on site. Looking forward to welcoming you back in September.
Property Owner
Reviewed by David5.0★Mar 2024
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"The property was well stocked with equipment, towels for swimming clean and warm."
My only problem was the exit to the main road. The mirror did not always reflect oncoming traffic. The journey to the pool was on a path that says staff only so that needs to be updated.
We now have a path in front of the new cottage towards the pool so it is now accessible for our guests in the Retreat to use.
Thank you for your feedback.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Shirley5.0★Nov 2023
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"Lovely relaxing break
Cottage had everything we needed and was clean, ..."
Lovely relaxing break
Cottage had everything we needed and was clean, comfortable and very handy for the beach
Never got round to using the pool but it looked lovely
We are pleased you enjoyed your stay with us. Maybe you could try the pool on your next visit to us.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Roy5.0★Oct 2023
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"Perfect place the garden is a suntrap with sea and country views walk to the beach on the field path 30 mins steady, beach perfect for dogs ."
Joiners Arms has lovely food and ales 2 pubs in Embelton similar plus village shop we totally recomend The Retreat we had a freshloaf, milk,and bottled freshorange juice Nortumberland Butter 100+99% satisfied
We are pleased you enjoyed our welcome pack and your stay with us. Thank you for your feedback.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Robert5.0★Sep 2023
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"The Retreat was comfortable and well equipped."
It had everything we needed for a family holiday. It was not chic or luxury but we knew that when we booked.
Building work is continuing on the site and this directly affects the ambience and aesthetics of the place. It will be much nicer when that has finished.
The pool was great, warm, and long enough to do lengths if you wish.
We are finished with the building work our new cottages are now open and welcoming guests. We are pleased you enjoyed our pool and your stay.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Rowan3.8★Jul 2023
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"Couple of things marred the experience, {something I have not experienced before with Sykes}."
Firstly I was advised that adjacent building work would be completed by end of February, Wrong ! it was still in full flow all week with various vans plus a JCB back and forth and mud spattered all over my car. Secondly the Retreat is not covered by wifi "NFWIFI" but as I eventually discovered 3 days later it was "NFPOOL"! supposedly the link for studios and apartments only. Ms Nicola Snaith was not in her office to seek assistance on the three times I called between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. but then her office seemed to be a store for odd pieces of building materials. Finally I now note that you are operating a 30% discount due to the ongoing building work , something I would have preferred to receive .Net result is that I'm not a happy customer and as a regular customer I would expect some form of financial recompense. David Branchett 01/05/2023
Reviewed by David4.7★Apr 2023
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"The situation & facilities were excellent."
The Retreat WOULD have been fine BUT we were misled about the building work , particularly as we weren’t given any warning of the disruption and dangers , so this did impinge on our enjoyment. And we felt our complaint was initially dismissed before being satisfactorily resolved.
Bath towels too thin & small, particularly when Northumberland weather can be cold & windy!
So, a review of two halves!
Our building work is finished and our new cottages are open to guests.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Annie3.8★Apr 2023
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"Property cold on arrival but quickly rectified by the housekeeper."
Excellent facilities and welcome pack.
Beds comfortable and nice and clean.
Shower and bathroom very good.
Lounge nice and roomy.
Garden good for the dog, enclosed with lovely views.
Kitchen had everything we needed.
Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased you enjoyed your stay.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Lynda4.1★Mar 2023
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"Lovely and peaceful."
Stunning views.
Easy walks to the beach and Embleton.
Reviewed by James5.0★Jul 2022
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"We really enjoyed our stay at The Retreat."
Quiet, scenic location, beautiful grounds which all the holiday cottages shared. The Pool was a brilliant asset to the properties, good size and depth, and great to have to ourselves for 5 x 1 hour slots for the week. Fairly close to the beach, although took longer to walk than suggested, unless we took the wrong route. We were advised about building work going on, but we found no problems at all from this. Local restaurants all seemed to be booked up, so advise booking early once you arrive. All in all, we had a fabulous stay here and would strongly recommend. We did also have the bonus of great weather.
Reviewed by Lynn5.0★Jul 2022
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"We loved the peace of this cottage last year, but unfortunately this year, that was destroyed by noise from the building site in the field directly in front of us."
Having paid considerably more for our stay this year, we would have appreciated being warned about the building operations. Sadly we shall not be returning to this beautiful spot, as we feel the new units when completed, will overshadow the cottage. The cottage itself however, is lovely, clean and comfortable, thank you.
Reviewed by Heather4.4★May 2022
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"Hello
I want you to record that this was the most disappointing experience we have had booking with Sykes Cottages thus far."
The accuracy of the listing was way off the mark as the cottage was located in the middle of a building site (photos attached). As the cottage was recommended by The Times newspaper I will be contacting them as well - I would welcome any comments you may have.
Many thanks
Reviewed by Dominic3.4★May 2022
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"There was everything we needed in the cottage, and it was in a great location."
You could walk to the beach and villages through the farms fields which was great.
Reviewed by Norman5.0★Apr 2022
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"A cork screw would be handy."
Access road from the cottage was a bit dangerous when trying to exit onto the main road. Could have been better if there was a mirror opposite. Apart from these points everything was great.
Reviewed by Ann5.0★Feb 2022
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"Your directions are to the main site."
The retreat has a separate entrance from the road. This is confusing especially in the dark
Reviewed by Richard3.8★Nov 2021
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"Fantastic location in a beautiful part of Northumberland."
Access straight onto fields with amazing views and a footpath to coastal path.
Also an off road path to village.
Cottage very comfortable and practical. Had everything we needed.
Porch very handy for boots etc
Bit muddy at the moment due to building works - slight hassle to get to other cottages and pool. But the building works were not intrusive at all. They were quiet.
Forgot to mention that the toaster didn't work.
Reviewed by Fiona4.7★Oct 2021
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"Fantastic accommodation and facilities that can be used whatever the weather."
Really enjoyed the views from the property, would 100% recommend.
Reviewed by Sabrina5.0★Aug 2021
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"You have listed the property as having WiFi which is not the case."
This made my holiday stressful as I had planned to work on the Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thank you for your feedback.
All of our properties have wifi, however the service can be poor in rural Northumberland and when the site is full and everyone's trying to access Internet in the local area.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Rosie3.4★Jul 2021
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"Would highly recommend this cottage."
It is comfortable, well equipped clean and warm, and in an ideal location, with a twenty minute walk through the fields to a stunning beach. An added bonus to this accommodation is the excellent swimming pool, which is managed in such a way that you have exclusive allocated time slots. We loved our stay here and hope to return next year.
Reviewed by Heather5.0★May 2021
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