Dog Friendly Cottages in Chester

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jenny - Verified booking

  Modestly priced and well located for outdoor pursuits.

  Outside seating was comfortable and it had a nice aspect for morning sun. Dog-wise, it seemed very secure, being fenced all the way around. Plenty of secure, off-road parking. Bathroom, shower and bath were good when the hot water was working. And the towels were of a heavy weight and good quality. The beds were comfortable. However, some things need addressing: ACCURACY OF LISTING: I couldn’t see a lake from the garden, the garage was locked so there was no bike storage as described, the view from the patio doors was of a red brick outhouse and the line about alfresco dining with pretty lake views as your backdrop is just plain mis-selling. CLEANLINESS: It looked and felt clean on arrival. However, the bathroom bin, with no bin liner in it, hadn’t been emptied and contained previous occupant’s rubbish, including waste from feminine sanitary products. A smell from the kitchen cupboard under the stairs when investigated revealed a filthy and wet cleaning mop. The freezer drawers contained split bags of ice and split bags of frozen veg and ice lollies from a previous occupant. The tiny vacuum was over-full and filthy. There was no simple dust-pan and brush. Nor hot ash box/bucket for waste from the wood burner. COMFORT: Beds had not been set up as requested (twin rather than double). The house felt very cool at all times. Drying anything wet or damp was a challenge. FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE: Towels had been laundered, rolled nicely and placed on the beds, but we discovered one was still wet and the other three were still damp. Hot water run out several times. Reporting it, we did get a speedy response and the next day it was better. Sadly, the day after, on our leaving day, the showers once again were cooler. The only information in the welcome folder relating to the property was the wi-fi, which did work well. There were no instruction manuals for any of the equipment or white goods. For someone not familiar with the Hive system, attempting to operate the heating/hot water would have been impossible. The contact numbers (including emergency) were for the cleaner/housekeeping company with a request to call during business hours. The air-source heat pump heating system was completely ineffectual, and we had to resort to the electric-oil filled radiators provided. Personally, a little more information about the heating, hot-water and change over expectations would have been useful.

  Read more less >

• Elizabeth - Verified booking

  The listing was very open that the cottage sits between two busy roads.

  Fortunately armed with ear plugs and having nights that were not overly hot so not needing the windows open it didn’t really affect us very much however in very hot weather when you would want the windows open it could be a big downer if your not used to traffic noise. We phoned the equestrian center across the road as instructed to arrange collection of keys, as we arrived while the office was open we went there as arranged to collect the keys only to find they had been placed in the key safe on the outside wall. Nothing major just a little frustrating at the wasted journey as at then end of a long drive all we wanted to do was get in to use the loo and put the kettle on. The bathroom was very clean as were the bedrooms. Had to fold down the travel cot and store it out of the way before we could get into the smallest room but again nothing major. The lounge was clean and tidy. The covers on one of the sofas could have done with a freshen up, it looked as though it had a couple of dirty paw marks on the covers but they weren’t where we sat they were on the arms so not a problem we worked around it. For me the major disappointment was the kitchen. It look nice and clean on the surface. However the freezer needed a major defrost. The inside of the fridge needed cleaning before I could put food in there and the bottom of the oven had fatty water over it that had to be cleaned up before the oven could be used. I know holiday let’s are not a home from home, you won’t get all of the finishing touches that you get at home but to me general cleanliness should be a top priority and I felt this had sadly failed. The only other downside we found was there only being the one bathroom. I know this is what was advertised but didn’t realise with a houseful just how valuable a downstairs toilet would have been when there are 6 people all wanting to use the bathroom. We went from 4 for the first few days up to 6 over a long weekend down to 3 for the second half of the second week and we managed fine either side of the long weekend. Over that period where there was the 6 of us it was defiantly a little squashed. You would probably get away with it quite easily if most are children but we were 5 adults and one child. All in all not a bad place to stay though.

  Read more less >

• Simon - Verified booking

  We arrived at this cottage on Friday to find that it had not been cleaned since the last visitors had left.

  There was dirty bedding and towels in the bathrooms and bins were still full. The outside garden furniture is not acceptable for paying guests, it was green and dirty and we ended up having to clean it ourselves. The garden area in general was dirty with old mats and bins just left outside filled with old dog waste bags. Eventually some nice ladies from the equestrian centre came to give us fresh bedding. We cleaned the kitchen ourself to find that there was a massive puddle of water just sat in the bottom of the fridge and mould in the freezer. Also the tap in the kitchen just falls off and the extraction fan does not work in the kitchen. We went to cook dinner to find that there is no markings on the oven so no one knows how to use the oven, I ended up accidently using the grill and burning all the food with no extractor fan to get rid of the smoke, it is a hazard! Also, there is no lights at all in the garden which is really uneven and the torches provided all didn't work so when going into the garden at night we couldn't see a thing. We had no toilet roll and had to go out to the shop and get it ourselves, no wood or fire lighters or welcome pack as promised when we booked on the website. Overall, completely disappointed with our stay, we paid a lot of money for this stay just to clean it ourself and find it wasn't up to standard at all. It shouldn't be rented out in its current way. It wasn't just us either, a family turned up to the cottage next door that is owned by the same person to find they had the same problems and theirs had not been cleaned either and they ended up actually leaving and going home!

  Read more less >

• Claire - Verified booking

  This property definitely requires updating!

  Taps in bathroom need to be a mixer along with the toilet seat replacing and a new plug in the bath as it wasn't attached to the chain so I had to use a fork to remove the plug. Having said that, my daughter wanted a bath and the water went cold very quickly so had to have a shower instead. We were cold in the property so followed the instructions to boost the water and turn up the heating but the radiators were still not hot. The kitchen absolutely stunk of curry - even the microwave when I opened it.The fridge had a lot of old crumbs and dog hairs in it. Even the bowls I took out of the cupboard needed cleaning. The oven was a disgrace unfortunately, and the oven trays were disgusting - I had to clean one before I used it. The cooker and microwave were very old/used and the dials had been rubbed off so it was a bit of trial and error. The bannister was hanging off the wall which is quite important when you have to use something to get up the stairs - major health and safety issue. Many areas of the property needed repainting as the walls were dirty and marked and paint peeling away. The equestrian centre had a new driveway laid and therefore I had to carry all of our heavy bags much further as there was no room around the back of the houses suitable for a 3.5t horsebox. I wish I had known this before I booked as I would have stayed in accommodation a bit further away as it did not benefit me at all staying across the road from the centre. It was a lot of money and was disappointing to say the least.

  Read more less >

• Stephanie - Verified booking

  This is a unique building and as a grade one listed Elizabethan manor house, it is very special.

  There are many pluses to this house. The gardens are wonderfully large and great for dogs (there is just one slightly lower part of wall - I didn't think our dogs would get over but the younger one did but only once - I think it is pretty secure). The house was very spacious. And in most cases well equipped. The local pub is great. And the surrounding countryside is beautiful. The owners of the home immediately opposite the manor house are friendly and helpful. But there are disadvantages. There are very many changes of levels in the house - which are a consequence of its age - but if you have any mobility issues whatsoever this is not the house for you. We had originally planned to use the bedroom on the second floor but the stairs were very challenging and at their top there is a beam about knee high which you have to climb over. Given that the two toilets are on the first floor - no one felt it wise to take this bedroom. And my Sister fell in the shower room and sprained her wrist - again a change in level. The home owners clearly listen to feed back so please could you: 1. put out long in-shower/bath mats and shower mats for stepping out on to please? you may also wish to think about how to indicate/highlight a step down 2. The outside furniture needs upgrading. The wooden furniture is in poor state and the rattan style is not great either. A garden dining table plus separate seating would be great please. If you are active and have no mobility issues this is a wonderful house. Very special.

  Read more less >