Christmas Cottages in Cornwall

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Helen - Verified booking

  This is a difficult review to write as so many people have given Chy Ryn 5 star reviews which I read many times before making a booking.

  I also looked carefully at the pictures. After all, these are the only pieces of information to go on when parting with hard earned money. Sykes need to make sure that information on properties is up to date and accurate. This is not the case for Chy Ryn. I stayed for 2 weeks with my husband and 22 year old son - I checked the twin bed situation before travelling to make sure that the room was suitable for a 6'+ male. These are the issues we encountered, a number of which seem contrary to the info that is on the website (and all the others where images of the property can also be found) - Decor - this has been updated from the photos - the lounge area feature wall is a mid blue, clashing with the purple pictures; there are lots of soft furnishings which also clash. There are so many trinkets that it is impossible to find space to put your own things. The coffee table is multiple colours rather than the warm oak in the pictures and the kitchen table is rectangular (less space to move around by the dishwasher). Blinds are needed - the kitchen would benefit from one as the hosepipe which is used daily by the owner is right outside the window. The bedrooms need blinds as the curtains are only slightly better than net curtains. There are no drawers, or storage boxes within the wardrobe, to store underwear etc. in the main bedroom; a few more clothes hangers would have also been helpful. 13.5 tog duvets in the summer are inappropriate (the whole house gets very hot indeed). The double bed sheet was bobbly and had to be turned inside out to make it feel a little less scratchy. On arrival we were offered a change of bedding after our first week but it never arrived. The bedding in the twin room was very flowery, bright and clashy. The twin beds were very uncomfortable with springs very evident. Both bedrooms were so full of ornaments that it was very difficult to find space to put our own possessions. Towels, in some cases, were very thin. The bathroom - needs a toilet roll holder on the wall - it is not ok to put the toilet roll in the shower tray, where we found it on arrival. There is no sealant on the shower cubicle end panel as I found out when cleaning it at the end of our stay. Also, no shaver socket (just for info only). Upstairs the walls are very thin and the floorboards very creaky. Coupled with stiff and noisy latches on all of the doors it was very difficult not to disturb others. The stairs are also very narrow (just for info only). The kitchen - provided washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, 2 J-cloths, 1 spare bin bag, some cleaner spray and some wipes. If you need kitchen roll, cling film, silver foil, salt and pepper, etc. you need to bring it yourself. The dishwasher needs more salt and rinseaid. The morning after arrival the fridge defrosted over the kitchen floor and into the cupboard under the stairs - there had been a 1 inch thick sheet of ice on the back of the fridge when we arrived - I had to use my own tea towels to mop it up. The kitchen bin is too small and there is room for a larger one. There is no clothes airer (a small rotary washing line is outside under a tree) - the lobby area gets exceptionally warm and we put our washing to dry in there by hanging items off hooks etc.. Off this lobby is a toilet, again with many ornaments, including hanging off the window handle – this window needs to open! The lounge area - no mention of interconnecting door behind the bookcase. Table tennis bats provided, but there is no table tennis table (even though some websites mention a games room). Wifi can be patchy as the router is next door as far as we could tell. The TV could probably do with an update as we had to link our laptop up to it in order to watch our choice of Commonwealth Games coverage. Outside - accessibility from the parking area is about 20m with a number of steps, some steep. A mirror opposite the gateway would be helpful for exiting safely. There is enough furniture to sit at (though it needed a clean). We only found the BBQ when packing up to leave - it's in the cupboard under the stairs - we weren't told this - you, apparently, have to ask for access to gas. Good wifi and a BBQ were the 2 things that I was looking for in my holiday search - disappointing. On the website it states that this place is tranquil - well it might have been when the original ad was put together but sadly it wasn't for us. 10 of 14 nights were disturbed by noise coming up from the football ground in the valley below - football noise, loud music and compering. There is also the noise from the railway (just for info). The shared garden should be made clear - plants are watered, fish are fed, and grandchildren visit - this is just to make people aware, as we weren't. As an update to past visitor comments - there are no longer any runner ducks. The visitor info book is basic - it would be very helpful to have places to visit, places to eat (cafes, restaurants, etc not just pubs), beaches, supermarkets, bus stops, train stations, etc.. Maybe even a tide times booklet given that the place is by the sea! I’m sure, had we known which door to knock on, and if we were the sort of people confident in asking, then some of these things could have been sorted by the owners. There was no knock on our door or text message to check that all was ok. Thank you for letting us stay and for the cream tea on arrival.

  Read more less >

• Andy - Verified booking

  Chy Ryn (974078) was just a wonderful place to stay.

  Close to the Eden project and other interesting places. The house is beautifully presented, quite luxurious, extremely well equipped and so very comfortable to stay in. We couldn't wait to return in the evening to eat on the patio or in the open plan living kitchen area and appreciate the peace and quiet and lovely view across the valley before relaxing on the large sofa looking out of the patio windows. When it was too dark to enjoy the view there were dvds and books to enjoy. The owners Andrea and Dave have thought of everything you may need when kitting this house out for adults and children ( over 10) to enjoy a great holiday. They were so warm and welcoming on arrival. There was a gift of homemade scones ,homemade jam and cornish clotted cream , milk, tea , coffee and biscuits left for us to enjoy as soon as we arrived. Andrea and Dave are next door and so were on hand with smiles and advice if necessary but we never felt that they were intrusive . We will certainly return on our next visit to the area and only wish it was a shorter drive from home!

  Read more less >

• Lee - Verified booking

  Old Orchard Barn has the WOW!

  Factor from the second you drive down the winding country lane to the pebbled drive. Once inside the property you realise that the pictures don’t do this amazing property justice! The property is stunning and everything has been thought out so carefully and the welcome goodies were such a lovely touch. Mark and Leeanne made us so welcome and nothing was too much trouble for them and throughout our booking they have responded quickly to any questions we had and even gave us some recommendations about pubs in the area. We went on holiday as six adults an eighteen month old and our pet dog and we made some amazing memories together. There is plenty to do and the hot tub was an added bonus. We fell in love with Old Orchard Barn and its surroundings. If you’re looking for a stunning, quiet property with amazing views then I can’t recommend Old Orchard Barn enough! Thank you to Mark and Leeanne for everything and we look forward to seeing you again soon! Lee, Emma and family x

  Read more less >

• Michael - Verified booking

  The location was idyllic in the country.

  Reminded me of my life as a child. Ground floor a little claustrophobic but comfortable. The stone floor could do with a deep clean. The bedrooms and bathroom were nice and cosy. The only gripe about the bathroom is the floor again could do with a deep clean. The property is well furnished and well equipped. We feel that the water temperature from the ‘hot’ taps are scalding and could injure a child. The attached barns have some lovely wildlife. An Owl box in one barn and swallows in nests in another. Our dog and I saw the Barn Owl at 6.30am sat on a fence post only yards away in the lovely Orchard. It then flew off to a nearby tree. That Owl, the swallows and a Wren telling off our dog made the short break. Will definitely use Sykes again. Note: Please notify owner re Hot Water and deep cleaning of stone floor and bathroom floor. That said it was a lovely break away

  Read more less >

• Mrs Churchouse - Verified booking

  This house is fabulous. Not only is it spotlessley clean and comfortable... a real home from home, but it is superbly located for so many activities. We cycled from the house along the coast to coast trail, and around the tin mines " Great Flat Lode trail", we walked to the beach ( I even body boarded and the water was so warm), the lifeguards are friendly too, important if are a novice ! The harbour is just outside the house. We visited National Trust properties and also went on a boat trip as the whole area is very accessible. An ace holiday. Great for couples and familes alike. The garage is useful for storing bikes, the open plan downstairs makes for cosy evenings in. The local fish and chips are very tasty. Highly recommend, for great Seaside Stories.

  Read more less >