Holiday Cottages In Solva

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Arif - Verified booking

  Pros: The property is well-maintained, beautiful, and has amenities in abundance.

  Parking is not a problem, either. The kitchen is very well-equipped and clean. The host very kindly provided shampoo, conditioner and snacks. Local cafes, chippies, beaches and hikes are quite accessible from the property (obviously, you need a car.) Cons: The property was very cold. The first one or two days, we could control the temperature, however the thermostat then locked itself and could not be adjusted. We contacted the owner (via Sykes) and found out the property owner could control the temperature remotely, which could not be set beyond 25°C because the boiler was faulty. We requested the temperature be set as high as possible, to which it was placed at 22°C, which was still too cold. We would have benefited from the temperature being set at the maximum 25°C. We thought of using the available fireplace to add extra warmth. However, the wood didn't light up despite our numerous attempts. We visited the local supermarket to purchase wool wood to help the fire ignite, yet every attempt to light the fire was short-lived. By the time we finished attempting various DIY solutions (plus doing our sightseeing), our stay came to an end, so we didn't get the chance to contact the property owner a second time regarding the central heating/fireplace. Another issue is that the hot and cold water regulation on the shower is very temperamental so be prepared to fiddle with the taps for a good amount of time. There was no shower gel/body wash, so make sure to get your own. At the time of leaving, we were asked to strip used bedsheets and place them in the bathtub - not sure if this is the customary request in holiday stays? Lastly, the space is a bit small, so avoid getting large amounts of luggage. This isn't really a disadvantage, but worth noting that big luggage isn't suitable for the property. Overall verdict: Overall, I would recommend the property to others because the property is value for money. Although the 'negative' paragraph is longer, it really was just the temperature. My wife is thalassemic and from the Middle East, which means she feels colder than the average person. Maybe on hot summer days, temperature wouldn't have been an issue. But on cooler days (15°C or less), the home would feel draughty to anyone (health condition or not, as even I felt cold.) The property was clean overall, but there was dust and cobwebs in some corners. Once the issue with the temperature is fixed, I'd say the property is value for money.

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• Steven - Verified booking

  We found the property to be very tired and note the photographs were obviously taken some time ago!

  The front bay window which looks onto the street, two of the pains of glass were badly marked or stained which obscured your view. All the windows throughout the property were very old, single and not double glazed, including the bedrooms, which didn’t close properly, allowing the street noise at the front to come in. This meant, unfortunately, we were awakened most mornings around 5:30 am by speeding cars, lorries, buses, tractors etc as this is the main road. We are very careful when we book properties and we always read the reviews so we cannot believe that no one at all has commented on the traffic noise. We can only assume that people didn’t sleep in the front bedroom because if they had I’m quite sure they would’ve commented. We did note that someone had mentioned the front bedroom window with the bunkbeds in had a broken latch and so the window would not close properly and the reply was that it would be repaired before the next visitors arrived. We were the next visitors, and this was still broken. Luckily we did not need this bedroom. On a positive note the property was very well equipped with everything you would need for a family or couple to cook or eat. We did find it odd that each bathroom only had one very small toilet roll. Bearing in mind this property could sleep nine people, one toilet roll in each toilet would not have been adequate. Surely a spare could’ have been provided bearing in mind the cost of the property. It’s small touches like this, plus hand soap in the kitchen, a small carton of milk for a cuppa on arrival and maybe a box of tissues that are important to us rather than a bottle of Prosecco and a couple of packets of biscuits and some popcorn in the welcome pack. Bearing in mind check out was 10am and check in was 4pm we have to wonder how long the cleaners were actually there as no windows were cleaned including the balcony glass which was actually green! This is the first time we’ve booked through Sykes cottages and generally book through Airbnb or Country Cottages. Whether it’s Sykes cottages that deal with this or the owners we’re not sure, however we will have to consider carefully before booking through Sykes cottages again.

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• Susan - Verified booking

  We had a very bad experience, after experience staying at this cottage.

  Before I go further I wish to say that the owner did compensate us a small refund, but I feel unless money is spent to improve the property it should not be rented out. Previous comments have also mentioned the property requires some care and attention. We couldn’t gain access and required a locksmith. The caretaker was unavailable, surely they are paid to be available especially on changeovers. The lights had all tripped. Questions-Do the electrics need checking? The property was not clean. Dead moths and flies on the windowsill, old dirty towel and used tissues left in the bedroom. Had to sweep out the kitchen. These issues I know can be addressed, as could the dirty stained shower curtain. The windows were filthy on the glass, black mould around them, bathroom window fell out on one windy night, due to age and lack of maintenance. Requires a new bed in one of the rooms as frame is broken and bed is supported on a pile of books. Plumbing mentioned in other reviews, but this is loud, so loud in fact that the neighbours could here it. Holiday not helped by the building work opposite, which I understand has gone on for a couple of years. We couldn’t get out one day due to scaffolding lorry. Nothing anyone can do about that. Generally needed a coat of paint and a deep clean. On the positives the settees were comfy and the kitchen was bright and well equipped. Until Sykes have evidence that these issues have been resolved, I feel there is a health and safety issue at the property. .

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• Isobel - Verified booking

  Lovely spacious house, clean, comfortable and very well equipped.

  The bedrooms are all a good size, there’s a huge dining table and plenty of sofa space. The hot tub was lovely and very well maintained. We didn’t use them but there are a variety of surf boards you could borrow and loads of games in the house. There are glorious views from 2nd and 3rd floors over Solva harbour. House is in a quiet cul de sac on the hill out of solva with a 5 minute walk down into the town, where there was lot's of places to eat and drink. There is easy access onto the costal paths meaning you can walk from the house to St David’s or Newgale but would recommend bus or taxi back Both the owner and the housekeeper were very helpful when a problem arose and did their best to sort it out as soon as possible. The only additional things we could think of to make the house even better was a smart speaker for music and adjusting the smart TVs so you could access Netflix’s eta for evening entertainment. Overall would thoroughly recommend Harmon vale as an excellent base for exploring north Pembrokeshire.

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• Helen - Verified booking

  House could do with some TLC - paint chipped in areas but particuarly the windows need looking at.

  Filthy in and out with the front lounge windows not closing properly and seemed warped. The front bedroom with bunks - the window handles had fallen off so did not close at all, making it a safety hazard with kids along with making the traffic noise unbearable and the room was not used for this purpose. Without double glazing - the rooms on the front were so loud. House had huge cobwebs in areas and a musty damp smell overall. Was x 3 bags of food waste left in the bin area attracting bugs, which was not collected during our stay, along with our own rubbish which was not collected on the Monday as stated. The In- house information book needs updating as they say rubbish is collected on a Thursday but was told Monday by Sykes. In both cases, rubbish not collected during visit. Also in the In- house information book, they say the Harbour car park opposite is free for National Trust users which is not the case so a little misleading.

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