School Holidays 2017 Cottages In South Hams

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Pamela - Verified booking

  We loved Moonrakers Cottage and will definitely stay again if we visit Dartmouth in the future.

  Great location, amazing views, well equipped cottage with great facilities. It was a huge positive having our own car parking at the property, however we could only get our car (Volvo XC60) partially into the open garage but it was enough so that next door could get in and out of their garage/drive. People with very large cars would struggle. The location of the property is also a big plus with lots of amenities within a short 'flat' 5 minute walk. However, the steps and path from the garage to the cottage would not be suitable for anyone with a mobility problem or bad knees/hips. We are all relatively fit and active but still found the steps and path a challenge after a busy day walking coastal paths. Dartmouth is not for the faint hearted. The scores given above reflect a few minor issues which we reported to the office but none of these issues would stop us staying here again or from us recommending to others as they are all minor safety and maintenance issues: 1. The wooden porch beside the garage was in a bad start of repair when we arrived. Wood rotten causing the door to come off some of the hinges and the doorframe to snap on the Monday of our stay due to heavy rain and wind conditions. The door had to be left balanced which was precarious when we were using it multiple times in the day when going out and about. 2. The house had changed colour from the photos on the website. House is now blue instead of yellow. This would not have been an issue if we had not been looking for yellow house because the signage for Moonrakers had washed off the house sign (piece of slate which was lying on the ground). 3. As mentioned above the house signage has come off the house sign so we found 20 Clarence Street so knew we were in the right location but went to drive pass 22 because no sign visible from the street and as I mentioned above the house we thought we were looking for was yellow not blue. 4. The hedge which runs the full length of the path was overgrown which meant it was awkward walking up and down the path particularly with luggage and bags. This hedge needs to be trimmed right back. We didn't notice this when we arrived but we think it sprouted because it was very hot Friday/Saturday/Sunday and then very heavy rain on the Monday and it was after this that the hedge was covering almost half the width of the path. Points 2, 3 and 4 are all quick and easy fixes which would help with visitors first impressions. Also I think it would be useful to update the notice in the kitchen regarding recycling. We took our glass bottles to Mayors Car Park but as we couldn't find any info regarding what to do with paper and plastic we brought our recycling home. When I popped into the office to hand the keys back the very helpful staff member said we could have put all our recycling in a black bag and these would be taken away and sorted when the rest of the rubbish was removed. This would be useful information to know. Thanks again for a great stay. We loved Moonrakers Cottage and hope to visit again if we are back in this area in the future. Thank you to Coast and Country for great communications and excellent customer services.

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• Peter - Verified booking

  The property flatters to deceive… Initial impressions are good, clean and fresh, however it slowly goes downhill.

  The Lounge – the marketing images create a false representation, the lounge is now tired and in need of painting, the furniture is different than that shown with the sofa and 2 chairs tired and dirty, even stained in places. It also has cluttered shelves, a window blind I had to untangle to get to work and a TV smaller than my laptop. Main Bedroom, great view from the window, however and again, the picture used is deceiving, this room is also in need of decorating. The picture does show the super king sized bed, but doesn’t show that it is only fitted with kingsized bedding – 6’’ smaller all-round, so the bedsheets only just hang on the corners of the mattress and come off when you sleep and the quilt doesn’t hang over the side of the bed but only just reaches the edge of the mattress, making for a difficult sleeping experience - thankfully you've still got the view out of the window as you untangle yourself from the bedsheet in the early hours. The Bathroom – fantastic, big bath, great shower heated floor and plenty of room. However, there is one thing to watch, because the floor is sloping towards the shower the bath is chocked up at one end by 2 pieces of wood, one was missing resulting in the bath moving when you climb in – I did find the wedge the following morning under the bath, presumably knocked out by the cleaner. The Kitchen – Poorly conceived and very poorly appointed – 10 Dinner plates and only 4 side plates, no matching mugs, not in a themed way but in a random way. Cupboards full of a random and eclectic mix of pots, pans (8 off), casserole dishes, roasting & baking trays (9 off) and general kitchen utensils - enough for at least 3 cottages. The dinning table has flaking varnish and is sticky to the touch, the Everhot Range Oven is very nice (different than the pictures), but not really that practical in a holiday let, as mastering cooking on a range needs practise and planning – you're not going to come back from the beach and throw something together quickly for tea! But if your planning on bread making, a full roast dinner or baking you'll be fine. Again the marketing pictures show a clean fresh and uncluttered kitchen, it isn't…in fact I would have to question the cleanliness of the kitchen. The property feels much more like somebodys second home, furnished with surplus items from the main house, than a considered holiday let.

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• Peter - Verified booking

  The excellent location was familiar to us and views from main bedroom are stunning.

  The property was well furnished and equipped and comfortable. The level of cleanliness was a bit wanting, as we came across dog hair and spiders webs in many places. The building has obviously settled over a longtime, but we found the sloping floors quite disconcerting and the two stair cases steeper than normal with limited depth of tread, making them difficult to negotiate. The hand rails were a must use. The offset rear gardens is strange and off putting in its use.We arrived promptly after the set time, after a two hour journey so we’re in need of the bathroom so we’re agahast to find less than half a roll of toilet roll! This was followed by no bread or milk which we have enjoyed as standard from other holiday rentals, particularly when there no local facilities (shop/store) within three miles. A bit disappointing and if we were a party of four, would have been an appalling. The large double bed was extremely comfortable, but on our departure found that the mattress cover was horribly stained from bodily fluids, which indicated to us that it had not been changed /washed since the very hot weather in August. This was an unacceptable standard and needs to be reviewed in the future. The rugs in the bedroom also smelt of dogs. The property is quirky and has character which we appreciate and enjoyed which makes it a bit bespoke and not everyone’s choice, given their expectations. For us the cottage proved to be very convenient and comfortable evening retreat which requires some basic minor cleaning improvements /checks. This cottage is probably priced fairly average in terms of tariff, so needs to address the cleanliness issues which we have highlighted. We are not picky people, but felt that we had to feedback our recent experience.

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• Kathy - Verified booking

  The cottage is in a beautiful spot.

  View from front bedroom lovely. However the photos of the lounge must have been taken with a wide angle lens after it had just been decorated. It would have been very small if 4 adults were staying. The room and furniture looked grubby and worn. The settee and chairs were uncomfortable and the TV was tiny. Only two of us stayed and the hot water ran cool. The garden was pretty but very overgrown and we got soaked by the wet bushes when letting the dog out. There should be a note on the details to say that the cottage is unsuitable for older people and young children due to the steep and irregular stairs. The beaches were beautiful but the climb back up the hill is not for the faint hearted. One route has 134 steps and a steep path. Pubs in Salcombe had long queues for lunchtime dining, one was closed and another only open certain days due to Covid. Obviously this is understandable but visitors may want to take more food with them. Details state parking usually available outside cottage - it is early morning and evening but if you go out during the day you won't find a space when you get back. In places the access to East Portlemouth is by single track roads with occasional passing places. The roads were very busy and we were there in June. Dread to think what it will be like in school holidays. This is the first time that we wouldn't return to a cottage booked through Sykes and we went home a day early. Cottage needs decorating and more comfortable seating then it would make a good base for younger guests.

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• Sharon - Verified booking

  Well equipped, very clean & well presented & the sofa appears to be new (different from that in the photos) & probably due to previous comments about it being uncomfortable.

  We found it to be very comfortable. A “set” fire would’ve been good, or include a small supply of logs/kindling. No cleaning products available although the tea towel/single dishwasher tablet & washing machine capsule & leftover washing up liquid was appreciated. Suggest a single multi-surface product is provided. It might be worth looking at the ironing board as it’s a little unstable. On departure I removed the out of date condiments, in-line with “house rules” although these were left by previous occupants. I Googled how to use the washer/dryer - again much appreciated to provide one though. We found the key for the side access to the larger rear space but it didn’t feel like we could use it & was quite sparse. Overall this accommodation is almost 5 stars & is in a fabulous location: to achieve full marks: 1) Provide multi-surface/purpose cleaning product. 2) Set fire or enough logs/kindling to make ONE, then occupants should fund their own. 3) Update the blue folder with more specific “cottage” guidance…suggest sectioning the content cottage guidance/food/things to do. This really is a great place to stay, very homely, well laid out & designed. The points raised are NOT complaints, just opportunities for improvement & it’s very clear the owners are reading & positively actioning feedback they receive. We felt like we wanted to look after it & maintain its standards. We’d definitely recommend this accommodation.

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