Last Minute Cottages in Bideford

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Betty - Verified booking

  The renovation of this property is stunning with many attractive features but it is sadly let down by the absence of expected up-to-date facilities and hygiene which severely and adversely affected our enjoyment.

  This lovely home is downgraded with the many and various annoying niggles that become preeminent in your feelings of enjoyment, safety, comfort and relaxation. Nothing could have been resolved by a phone call to the owners or Sykes. We took the view that our stay should not be interrupted as we were also visiting a terminally ill relative each day. In the kitchen there is one mismatched chipped mug and one large chipped plate. Some old crazed plates and bowls distract from the food placed in them. The induction hob does well with the bumpy, dirty bottoms of most of the provided old frying pans. Weak plastic utensils and blunt knives add to the frustration of cooking for 8 with several inadequate, small pans. We shopped for satisfactory implements and fly spray (see later). The microwave oven had someone else’s leftovers stuck to the plate. The fridge had a huge clump of ice with something stuck in it; it needs defrosting and cleaning. The fan oven never reaches the required temperature: meals had to be cooked using the ordinary oven. Several of the kitchen cabinet handles are pitted and uncomfortable in the hand and are ready for replacement. The door to the utility room toilet area was difficult to open at the beginning of the week as it caught on the floor and injured a guest’s chest as she anticipated it opening. The table mats in the dining area were sticky to touch so these and the table were cleaned. In the lounge unsecured rugs presented a trip hazard for several of the party. After one of the party had to be saved from a dangerous fall against the fireplace we put the rugs in the corner of the room for the rest of the stay. All the beds in the bedrooms were basic but the pillows were thin and unwelcoming. In the en-suite in the main bedroom the lock is still suspect despite notes in the log (August 2019, July 2022). The toilet seat doesn’t fit and is twisted. The extractor fan doesn’t work so towels were always damp and this was the same in the other bedroom on the first floor. The ‘balcony’ has no seating area and there are no seats in the bedroom. The floor area above the garages is uneven. On Tuesday night four of us were woken by the gate from the balcony down to the kitchen area banging. It had to be secured by a chair from outside the kitchen being placed against the gate as the lock was completely ineffective: the latch was misaligned, rusty and cannot be fastened. The outside security light constantly illuminates the bedroom window and needs attention. In the second bedroom on the first floor the hanging rail is so close to the shelf that you endanger fingers when hanging a garment up. The extent of the grounds is clearly advertised but its suitability for walking on is not indicated. Where was the boundary? Could we reach the coast? What features were worth noting? The proximity and access to prominent places of interest is exaggerated, for example, access to nearby towns as mentioned by others in the log. Outside the kitchen there are 3 rickety chairs with a small damaged and dangerous table which we cleaned as all were covered with bird faeces: the remains of the plasterer’s work is still on the wooden planking in front of you. Four chairs and an equally inadequate table rests alongside a pond. We returned each evening for a relaxing drink but we couldn’t all sit down and certainly not in the same place. We searched by the wood store where, it was promised in the folder, other outdoor furniture could be found which we were free to use: another exaggeration as this consisted of one broken chair and an unusable barbecue. When we arrived, part of the wooden porch above us lay on the entrance tiles. We were greeted by an infestation of flies and the cobwebs around the doorway, inside and out, had had little impact on the numbers. We covered all our food and fought to eat faster than the flies. It was no wonder that we ate out far more frequently than planned in adjacent hostelries which, although in the country, had no flies attacking us. We live in a listed stone building in the country with cattle and sheep as neighbours but we have never been subjected to such an onslaught with nothing to combat our unwanted and unwelcome pests. We regularly visit cottages up and down the country and at all times of the year, but we have never ever felt so let down, frustrated, disappointed and exploited as we have with this one. This was not a home from home: it was far less from than that. It was a long way from value for money and our expectations of cleanliness, safety and well-being. During the week we had killed several flies in the master bedroom shower area. Before we left, I investigated the flies’ attraction to the shower drain. I intended to clear away any hairs from our shampooing that may be there: the mess was horrific. The drain was near blocked with grey clingy matter; I felt sick that we had been using this shower all week and had paddled in this gunge. Photographs are available.

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• Jill - Verified booking

  This is the first time I have stayed in a holiday cottage that I do not want to return to.

  The biggest disappointment is the garden. Overgrown with weeds, growing up through the drains and the astroturf I swept the seating area, which was disgraceful, so it wouldn't look quite as bad for the next occupier. There is a broken bar-b-q (which we were told by Sykes had been removed), a broken sun parasol (unusable) and, on arrival, 7 bags of full black refuse bags plus 2 full dustbins in the small garden, most unpleasant. Most of the refuse bags were removed a couple of days later (I had complained). The outdoor table and chairs are long past their best. When I stayed there was scaffolding overhanging the garden from the house next door. Inside:- less important - TV remote still not working despite being reported by the previous reviewer, and looked into by Sykes who informed me it had been seen too, Toaster didn't work and still had crumbs in and around. The oven needs cleaning. Cobwebs in the bedside lamp. As the previous reviewer remarked:- quite a steep climb which some people would not be able to manage and isn't mentioned in the description. Parking is quite tricky to manoeuvre. No information is provided , eg health care, local vets, etc. This is the only holiday cottage I've stayed in where no info is provided and no welcome pack. The keysafe box is a bit fiddly - be patient and keep trying! This property is the only one I've stayed where I have no wish to return. It has the potential to be a lovely place to stay but gives the impression to me of being uncared for. One huge wall against the adjoining house is just a wall of peeling paint, looks awful. I saw a previous reviewers comments a few days before I was going. I was upset and contacted Sykes Cottage for reassurance that the issues had been addressed. I had to contact Sykes again just 24 hours before I was due to go because I had heard nothing back. Sykes e mail to me told that they had contacted to the owner and the issues had been addressed. On arrival I discovered that they had not. Sykes told me that the grotty bar-b-q had been removed - it hadn't. The run up to my previously highly anticipated holiday was spoiled by the previous poor review. The good points:- The cottage has a wonderful view from the front bedrooms and the kitchen has everything you need. We loved Westward Ho itself.

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• Kate - Verified booking

  Pros: 1. The house was in a lovely spot with easy access to the beach/ sea front.

  2. Lovely views from the front upstairs windows 3. Outdoor shower in back garden - which is very useful when returning from the beach Cons: 1. No sign/number on house. 2. On arrival at the house the TV would not come on, we reported it to the caretaker he did come the same day and tried to sort the problem out which was the TV remote. He said he would order another which he did and this come the 4th day into our holiday. On looking at recent past reviews other holiday makers had stated they had issues with the TV over the past few months and this was on going. All appliances etc should be sorted/checked on change over day each week to check for any faults that may need rectifying. 2. The general cleanliness of the house was disappointing, it could have done with a good clean and sweep. The house does accept pets and it was obvious that in recent times a dog had been upstairs which the owner in the guest book had requested not to let pets upstairs. We had to buy our own dust pan and brush and give the house a clean, we feel that it was cleaner when we left that what we had found it in!!! 3. The house could have done with some TLC - such as the kitchen needs updating etc. We have stayed in properties with Sykes Cottages in the past and paid much less for a better standard, the property could be really nice with that extra care and attention. I appreciate it is the summer months so the prices do increase however when you pay so much money for a well earned break that you have looked forward to for months you expect a good standard and this was lacking which was disappointing.

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• Pam - Verified booking

  The Old Chapel was a delightful house with charming features and an unexpected cosiness.

  We loved the generous space within the house and wished that we could have used the grounds outdoors more but the weather was wet for most of our week. There was an unfortunate incident on the Tuesday evening when there was an attempted break-in at the property; this included two attempts to force the front door, also there were indications of two failed attempts at opening our 2 cars. The incident was reported to the police. The housekeeper, Marcel, was clearly very concerned and offered any support that we wanted. This was followed later by a similarly supportive text from the owners. We thank them heartily. You, at Sykes, did nothing. I was amazed not to receive any communication from you following my notification to your Helpdesk. I don't want discounts or vouchers but I DO want you to know that your lack of care was most certainly noted. Therefore, my likelihood to recommend you in this case is, as above, 3 out of 10. The house and its facilities and its owner/housekeepers' support, 10 out of 10. I am glad that you will be sharing this feedback with the owners.

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• Beth - Verified booking

  We absolutely loved our stay.

  The cottage is so much more spacious than expected, with everything a family and/or group of friends would need for a short or long break. Lovely addition of games and films for rainy days and we enjoyed reading the books available about the history of Appledore. No need to buy crabbing kits, as these were supplied (which the kids loved!). We had a small issue during our stay, but were able to contact and sort it with the property managers, who were extremely friendly and helpful. All the decor, beds, furnishings and linen were comfortable - if I had to be really picky, the sofas are a little out of place (but that’s probably personal taste). Dog friendly too, with a very sweet addition of treats provided. Definitely recommend a stay if you’re planning a visit to the area. Public parking is available 5mins walk from property. Pubs, cafes, restaurants (recommend booking) fish & chips, and an amazing local shop/deli are all within walking distance.

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