Villas In Bowness On Windermere

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Imogen - Verified booking

  After seeing the reviews, I was really looking forward to staying at Lake View with my mum for a little break away.

  The views are amazing from the property and you're provided with everything you could need to cook and prepare meals. The hot tub was the highlight for us, it felt really clean and was lovely to get into every night. However, both my mum and I felt the place lacked warmth. The place was very clean but equally felt a bit clinical. I suppose this does come down to personal preference but it would have been nice to have some pictures on the walls, cosier dining chairs and more colour around the place. The bathroom is a wet room and is mostly black with no window and the bedding was all white along with the walls. The sofa was low down which we didn't mind but it is marked and a bit tired looking. Considering what you're paying, it's not amazing! Collecting the key and dropping it off at the office at the end of our stay too was a bit inconvenient and a surprise as we'd never done a Sykes booking before. I feel a keysafe at the property would be much better, although again, that is personal preference. Another downside is, currently, another holiday home is being built very near, off to the left from the property. Its a building site with noise and machinery over the hillside above what they're building! We weren't warned of this and it just wasn't nice to have that going on, on the weekdays, during our stay. Parking is good but the multiple key fobs for gates was a faff. When we first arrived, we drove down the hill to the bottom, missing the fact Lake View was at the top of the hill. The hill is very steep and it was tricky turning round as the road isn't wide enough for 2 cars. It would be good if it was noted on the booking how far down the hill your holiday home is. I imagine it would be tricky to find in the dark. The views are great as well as having the hot tub but we wouldn't go back to Lake View. The hot tub is great but it's different to the one pictured and when you're sat in the hot tub or on the terrace chairs, you can't see the lake due to a wall blocking the view! In hindsight we realise we booked the wrong thing. We wished we had booked a b+b further into the countryside but that is our mistake. I realise it's clear online the place isn't colourful and it's very white etc but it does look great online! It just FEELS like a cold environment when you're there. Also, I presume this is normal when you do an AirBnB or holiday home stay (?) but we had to strip the bed upon leaving and put all laundry in a bag and clear our rubbish. This was unexpected and fustrating considering the stay cost £800+ for 4 nights. The place just doesn't feel welcoming. You're also threatened with a £250 charge to your payment method if you don't leave the place spotless. Consequently this was often in the back of my mind at a time you want to relax. I suppose we were naive to thing the property was on its own, nestled away somewhere but it actually backs onto a main road and is part of a big complex of holiday homes which all look the same in style - grey - and are fairly close together. Life jackets are provided which is great and kayaks were available to use but be aware they're big! We just couldn't lift them down the big steps into the water but I suppose that's down to personal strength. It's not clearly written down or photographed, where they're situated either. If you're looking for a clean, open plan, mod-con filled space then this is the place for you but if you want somewhere private, with no fuss and a warm, cosy environment, I wouldn't book Lake View. I realise some of my criticisms are about personal preference but I think other things I've mentioned would be an issue for most people! A shame it wasn't what we were hoping it would be.

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• Jayne - Verified booking

  We are just back from staying at Squirrels Snug, White cross bay, and would like to raise a complaint.

  First of all, on arrival we made a complaint as the property had a vile stale drains smell. Complaint was acknowledged and somebody was supposed to attend. This did not happen. On Saturday we had a Customer service call to say is everything resolved. We advised no, and were told somebody would be with us within 30 minutes. NOBODY yet again attended the property. Smell remained and was disgusting, we feel from the ensuite bathroom. Surely your cleaners should have reported this ? This continued all weekend, and nobody attended the property. This is not satisfactory. The accommodation has many cobwebs, the lamp in the twin room was filthy, and down the sides of the curtains also, this is not acceptable standard for a property that costs so much for 3 nights. Sunday morning we woke to no heating or hot water so could not wash, and minus 2 temperatures, After calling several numbers we eventually had a call back and an engineer was sent. He was a very nice man and did fix the problem. However late afternoon we had the same issue, although this time we did have hot water. Security came to support and then the engineer came back to make sure were okay. Also please note, there are bulbs out in the lounge, there is a shower head in the main bathroom that does not fit to anything as it is broken too. Having stayed at various lodges here over the years we were very disappointed with the lack of support, and although when we spoke to someone, they seemed helpful, it was very often not delivered on. We have always been more than satisfied with the cleanliness and never had issues. The vile smell in the lodge was still not fixed when we left this morning, and nobody attended. We spent a small fortune on candles etc to try and mask the smell. Can you please review the issues and advise feedback at your earliest convenience. For a payment of £621 for 3 nights we would expect that this to be spotless and well maintained. We would expect a stress free holiday which this certainly wasn’t, and did not expect to spend so much time chasing numbers etc to try and get issues resolved. When on a Sunday morning you are all huddled around the electric fire in the lounge, freezing cold, of course it most definitely ruins your holiday, without the other issues. One additional point, you Market this property as having views across to the marina, this is NOT correct. Look forward to hearing from you.

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• Jennifer - Verified booking

  Had a fabulous stay in Squirrels Snug.

  (June 2021) Lounge was lovely clean and spacious with comfortable reclining sofas Kitchen was fully stocked with all pots,pans,cuttlery,trays etc, Oven and grill spotless Main Bedroom was spacious beautiful fresh clean bedding, bed on the soft side which was great for me but hubby found too soft but still slept soundly, lots of wardrobe space and a lovely dressing table with stool 2nd Bedroom quite small with small beds, perfect for children and young teenagers however a little bit too small for 2 adults. Fresh clean bedding and comfortable beds, ample wardrobe space with a small dresssing table Bathrooms (one ensuite) were compact yet had plenty of storage Oustide hot tub was fantastic once found out how to store lid, nice table and chairs with comfy padded cushions. Only a few things to consider there were hand marks on windows in the lounge and mirror which need attention when cleaning, few marks on walls inside Cabin which could possibly be covered by paint or a good clean to remove, ensuite could do with an update around the bath. Outside is very secluded which is great for privacy but is covered by lots of trees so constantly brushing up before using as lots of debris falling on the decking, hot tub, table and chairs. (Parasol for over hot tub but if sunny want a little bit of sun that can get through the trees) Only a few minutes from the lake which has lots of seating for picnics or reading. 5 minutes stroll to the main club on site (need to book for amenities in advance as limited availability which hopefully would change with any lifting of restrictions ie Gym and Swim there was also a cost of £8.95 per Adult and £5.95 per child for the duration of your stay which was good value for money. Food in club fresh and reasonably priced. Overall the cabin is in a lovely quiet part of the park, had everything and more what we needed for our family week away and would deffinatley recommend to anyone and would most certainly return :-).

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• Miss Cally Richardson - Verified booking

  We had a lovely stay at squirels snug.

  The location of white cross bay holiday park is ideal for exploring the lake district and the lodge its self is in a good position within the park. We were a group of 4 adults and I think realistically in terms of size the lodge is more suited to a family with small children or a couple. The master bedroom is a really good size with an en suite, the only criticism I have is that the mattress needs replacing as it is very uncomfortable. The living room is a good open plan space along with a well equipped kitchen. The outside space is a good size and you can easily sit outside to enjoy the park and theres the added bonus of a hot tub. I understand due to the fact that the lodge backs onto a wooded area that you are bound to get tree sap and leaves on the decking area but it could do with being cleaned before guests arrive as we had to give the table and chairs a good clean before we could use them and I think this would benefit the guests especially if they have nice weather and want to sit out. I think a few things could be improved on with the lodge facilities such as it being a pet friendly lodge but we weren't provided with a Hoover and had to ask for one from lake district lodge holidays customer service however I'm sure this will be rectified. Also we obviously wanted to leave the lodge clean and had to purchase a few cleaning products as none were provided this would be handy to have just to keep the lodge nice and clean during your stay and when you leave. Overall squirels snug is a pleasant holiday home in a great location and I would recommend it anyone looking at staying here, it's a modern pet friendly lodge which allowed us 2 dogs which is usually hard to find. What did you enjoy most about your stay? Location What one experience (e.g attraction, walk, day out) would you recommend for our future guests? Rydal Water near Grasmere

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• C W - Verified booking

  Overall it is impossible not to enjoy a stay at Lake View.

  In balance however: some features exceeded our expectations and some were disappointing. There was an abundance of modern conveniences which made a great first impression and marvellous views: albeit either side of a large tree. The hot tub was a welcome feature and used on a regular basis. In settling in we found the bed very creaky and the pillows were ultra soft. A wooden slat under the wet room door was loose. Being of an older generation we found the sofa very low to sit comfortably and had a little difficulty sitting and rising. We would have sat at the dining table more but the seats were hard wooden ones as it appeared essentially a good quality patio set rather than dedicated indoor dining furniture. Given the general high level of technology the provision of a microwave was conspicuous by its absence. Cleanliness was general good but the standard lamp light bulbs were covered in dust and there were crumbs in between the slats of the table. The pepper mill didn't work. The hot tub was great but positioned central to the small terrace. The terrace table and chairs were at the rear and it was not possible to see the lake when sitting due to the low surrounding wall. If the hot tub was better positioned, and the table and chairs moved to the front, it would be possible to sit and enjoy the view. Access to the property can be difficult to find and it would be helpful to be provided with a specific reference such as What 3 Words or similar. We are certain everyone would none the less enjoy a stay at Lake View but those with age, mobility or medical considerations may experience some difficulties.

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