Last-Minute Staycations in York

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Julian - Verified booking

  Bathroom unusable due to extreme heat.

  Radiator could not be turned off. Shower was inside bath, so inaccessible for us both as disabled people. We washed in the kitchen sink. Many problems getting TV to work. Table and chairs in small back garden adjacent to gas extractor fan making it impossible to sit outside. Floors creaky and noisy. Steps up into and out from property steep and with no hand rails, difficult to manage. External ground mix of gravel and irregular paving slabs made getting to and from the car very difficult. The cottage appeared from the published description to be cosy and ideal for our needs, but on arrival it was apparent that the owner was not fully conversant with how things worked and had not properly prepared for our arrival. We were told, for instance, that radio was available throughout, but the owner could not explain how it worked, so we did not use it. We kept the central heating switched on throughout, as it was unclear how it could be turned on again if we turned it off. The thermostats in every room were difficult to regulate, so were either boiled alive or had no warmth at all. There was scant guidance provided on most things in the folder provided. There was very little storage space for our dry groceries, so they were mostly left on tables and work surfaces. We never went upstairs ourselves, but we gather from a friend who did so, that it was like an oven with no windows and the sun burning through the roof light. The cottage was well equipped and decorated, but more attention should have been given to detail and thought given to the overall holiday experience. When we hire a cottage, we expect not to have to keep asking for help and for the owner to have got everything working so that our holiday experience is stress free and without complication. The location was ideal for us, but I'm afraid we would neither wish to use the cottage again or recommend it to friends.

  Read more less >

• Yvonne - Verified booking

  This property has the potential to be fabulous but a couple of things let it down.

  The towels provided were very basic, small, thin and hard. These could be replaced easily. The mattress in the front bedroom was uncomfortable and added with the very low height of the bed, made this an unpleasant sleep for one of the guests. The rear extension to the property is so lovely and such a nice space to be in. It would have been great if you had a small sofa or couple of soft chairs to sit and relax in this room rather than just the large dining table. One bed, the sofas, and the toilet are very low in height. I think you should make this clear in your property description as it is difficult for someone with mobility issues to transfer with low heights, e.g. getting in and out of the bed, on and off the sofa, and on and off the toilet. The location is great and close to everything we wanted to experience. All in all, it was an enjoyable stay but the issues mentioned above would put me off returning.

  Read more less >

• Susan - Verified booking

  This is a super cottage within a garden setting and with plenty of parking space.

  It's quiet and private. We found it spotlessly clean and well equipped. Sadly, it was the issue of comfort that let it down. The sofas were not comfortable and we had to use every cushion we could find to pad our seating. The worst thing, though, were the pillows. Pillows should be soft and light and, well, pillowy. Pillows here were hard and flat and spent. Pillowcases were stuffed with two flat pillows in order to, I guess, provide height. The result was a hard, uncomfortable pillow. New pillows are essential. This is an issue that can easily be put right. A plus for the cottage is it is down the road from The Pub, a great little pub that I would recommend for drinks.

  Read more less >

• Betty - Verified booking

  Felt the cottage was not as clean as I would have liked.

  Oven needed a good clean. Lacking in some basics- only half a toilet roll, no kitchen roll, welcome pack consisted of a bottle of water, no logs for the log burner (most places provide an initial supply). On the plus side, good TVs and CD players, beds fairly comfortable, pretty front garden. Would have liked to be able to adjust the heating ourselves instead of having to contact the owner to do it remotely. Lacking decent table and chairs in the back garden. Back garden could do with improving. Fabulous dining room with bi-fold doors looking on to a lawn edged with weeds and an ugly oil tank! Could be improved with not a lot of effort or money. Just saying...

  Read more less >

• David - Verified booking

  My Husband and I have just returned home after spending a very enjoyable holiday at Sunbeck Gatehouse.

  The owners were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. We were able to enjoy their magnificent gardens, watch the birds darting here and there and seek shade in the various seating areas within the garden. About 2 miles away in the village of Raskelf is the Old Black Bull public house. The landlord was very welcoming and the Sunday lunch was exceptional (booking essential). To avoid any crowded places we visited The Yorkshire Arboretum near Castle Howard and Duncome Park in Helmsley both places were well worth a visit. Easingwold is about 4mls away and Thirsk about 8mls away. All in all a very relaxing and enjoyable stay. Mr and Mrs Ralphs, Lancashire

  Read more less >