“I booked this for a special birthday, a group of 11 girls.”
Upon arrival I noticed the outside of the property didnt look very tidy. Kids bikes and toys everywhere.
Once inside the property is OK, its nice and big and spacious, but there's kids toys everywhere, could do with a toy box. I had to go round and move the toys. There are book shelves rammed with books, they look like they are going to collapse and it looks a mess. The place is full of cobwebs and could do with a good dusting. Curtains hanging of the rails, and the oven is manky.
As the weekend continued we stumbled upon a few issues. This property, although advertised for 12 people, definitely doesn't cater for 12. There isnt enough plates, bowls or cutlery to feed 12. The table only sits 8, there's 12 chairs, but they wont fit around the table. Not enough toilet roll left for 11 people. Luckily we took extra. The next day we woke up to a freezing house. But there's a lock on the heating, so I had to ask for it to be put on, but it wasn't
And there wasn't anything to start the fire with. I messaged the owner again for the heating to be put on, or some fire lighters so we could get the fire going. I was told there wasn't any and he would ask someone to put it on. Again it wasn't put on, so we went out. Came back still no heating. Its November and the property is open plan, so its cold, everyone was dithering and had blankets wrapped round them.
After another day of being cold, we all decided to leave. Another member of our party managed to speak to him and asked about why it wasnt put on. She explained we were cold. He then went on his phone and told us the times we had had the heating on during our stay. Which was multiple times, but in short spurts. He then commented that heating is expensive, costs him 2k, which isnt really the guests problem, and that some people take the mick with heating, so he has a lock on it. Which just proves he doesn't put it on because of the cost.We commented that he should have it on a steady temperature this time of year, and it would be cheaper for him to do so, Or leave equipment to make a fire. He then came back again and said that it says in the manual that you need to maintain the fire yourself (we tripple checked and it doesnt). Had we know this, we would have brought firelighters etc; as many of us in the group have a burner at home, so could have easily brought the stuff, or had it been mentioned it at the time of booking, we would have brought it. Had I been there with my kids, I would have left earlier, because of the cold.
Upon leaving the property we cleaned as best we could (with no cleaning equipment, just a vacum, they need to get a cleaning cuboard) we stripped the bed and my God, the mattress was VILE!!! Had I seen the mattress at the beginning of the stay, I absolutely would not have slept on it, there's no protectors on the beds.
There's silly stuff like the cubaords are full of crap, the doors are screwed shut with door hinges. The en suite shower temperature is stuck on a very high heat, kids couldnt shower in it, the water is to hot and the floor is deadly. The shower screen in the main bathroom has screws sticking out the door handle. Perfect eye height for kids. There's just loads of little things, small stuff that wouldn't cost much, to just make it better. The photos on the website isnt a good reflection of the house, and has changed slightly.
I would say that the owner has decided to make a quick buck by splitting his home (and he owns many properties on the site) but has underestimated the effort and time it takes to run a holiday rental and cant be bothered to bring it up to scratch. It's a lovely home and its big, it just needs a good clean and some maintenance.
I wouldn't stay here again.