Devon Cottages with Swimming Pools

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Geoffrey - Verified booking

  This review is late in coming to you because we have been away since occupying Flat 27 Bigbury on sea and is further to communications with Jackie and our interaction prior to our booking and having read the complaints during the summer about this flat.

  On entering this flat one is amazed by the size and the views. However within twenty four hours of arrival you realise that this flat has been well used and most of the things in this flat are past their best. It has been cleaned to a superficial level but the dirt is in nooks and crannies that only a deep clean will cure. The list below is only some of the faults many of which have been noted in the visitors book particularly this year. Talking to the caretaker we were informed that the owner has not visited for nearly a year and he is left to do running repairs. It is in need of TLC, are his words. In the Kitchen the fridge has no Ice tray and no fridge light. There is no freezer which is a requirement in a holiday flat. The toaster has crumbs under the tray and on the tray. The toaster needed it's crumb trays washed. Waste food bin had grimed in dirt around the rim Knife block greasy, no small paring knife and some were purchased All glasses needed washing before use Dishwasher had no salt or rinse aid in it. Washing machine was too complicated and unable to activate the drying cycle Lights under shelves not working and shelves not clean Wooden tray not clean and all Items on tray not cleaned eg sugar bowl dried sugar solid and pot for tea bags filthy. In the Lounge the television was not very modern so disappointing not to obtain iPlayer or Netflix The light by TV does not work possible a loose wire Windows not very clean smeary ad balcony glass surround needs cleaning. Robert’s Radio very smeary Dust ++ on shelf Arms on soft furniture shiny and grubby Dining chairs between vertical slats dirty. In all rooms the shutters are not easy to open and have dropped and scuffed the floor and window sills. It needs a carpenter to rehang them. In fact there were some that we could never open. Doors and paintwork could do with a good wash or paint. In the bathroom the area behind the toilet pan was grubby No rubber cushions on the toilet lid and seat making them unstable. Bedside lamps with open glass shades had dirt and dead flies inside. The balcony furniture needs a complete set of cushions that fit. 2nd bedroom is very small and only suitable for children. The shower needs a complete upgrade with thermostatic valves. The light in the mirror is not working. A good point is that there was plenty of hot water. The bed and bed linen are very comfortable. The weather was good and we managed to make ourselves comfortable but the rent for the flat is totally overpriced as it does not deliver the level of modern conveniences and cleanliness one expects in a flat at this rental. I therefore request a refund of £400 and suggest the owners visit to see how much maintenance work is required as good cleaning can only be done if furniture and paintwork is maintained. Yours sincerely, Geoffrey Daddy

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• Geoffrey - Verified booking

  This review is late in coming to you because we have been away since occupying Flat 27 Bigbury on sea and is further to communications with Jackie and our interaction prior to our booking and having read the complaints during the summer about this flat.

  On entering this flat one is amazed by the size and the views. However within twenty four hours of arrival you realise that this flat has been well used and most of the things in this flat are past their best. It has been cleaned to a superficial level but the dirt is in nooks and crannies that only a deep clean will cure. The list below is only some of the faults many of which have been noted in the visitors book particularly this year. Talking to the caretaker we were informed that the owner has not visited for nearly a year and he is left to do running repairs. It is in need of TLC, are his words. In the Kitchen the fridge has no Ice tray and no fridge light. There is no freezer which is a requirement in a holiday flat. The toaster has crumbs under the tray and on the tray. The toaster needed it's crumb trays washed. Waste food bin had grimed in dirt around the rim Knife block greasy, no small paring knife and some were purchased All glasses needed washing before use Dishwasher had no salt or rinse aid in it. Washing machine was too complicated and unable to activate the drying cycle Lights under shelves not working and shelves not clean Wooden tray not clean and all Items on tray not cleaned eg sugar bowl dried sugar solid and pot for tea bags filthy. In the Lounge the television was not very modern so disappointing not to obtain iPlayer or Netflix The light by TV does not work possible a loose wire Windows not very clean smeary ad balcony glass surround needs cleaning. Robert’s Radio very smeary Dust ++ on shelf Arms on soft furniture shiny and grubby Dining chairs between vertical slats dirty. In all rooms the shutters are not easy to open and have dropped and scuffed the floor and window sills. It needs a carpenter to rehang them. In fact there were some that we could never open. Doors and paintwork could do with a good wash or paint. In the bathroom the area behind the toilet pan was grubby No rubber cushions on the toilet lid and seat making them unstable. Bedside lamps with open glass shades had dirt and dead flies inside. The balcony furniture needs a complete set of cushions that fit. 2nd bedroom is very small and only suitable for children. The shower needs a complete upgrade with thermostatic valves. The light in the mirror is not working. A good point is that there was plenty of hot water. The bed and bed linen are very comfortable. The weather was good and we managed to make ourselves comfortable but the rent for the flat is totally overpriced as it does not deliver the level of modern conveniences and cleanliness one expects in a flat at this rental. I therefore request a refund of £400 and suggest the owners visit to see how much maintenance work is required as good cleaning can only be done if furniture and paintwork is maintained. Yours sincerely, Geoffrey Daddy

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• Ruth - Verified booking

  We arrive after a long journey to be totally disappointed with the property.

  It looked messy from the outside and the adjoining building was in a state of disrepair. Awdry Bungalow had a number of broken pots with dead plants in(no living plants) on the decking, There was a box on the wall which was dirty and next doors brambles had overgrown. My Husband cut them back so we could sit outside. On entering the property we found the smallest of wardrobes for 2 people. I always have a tape measure in my bag as I sew. The wardrobe was 16" wide with 2 small drawers (half a tall boy) but 1 drawer had a blanket in it,leaving the wardrobe and 1 drawer to use. You lived out of your case, which had to be pushed under the bed,which also had stuff already under it. The bed gave me chronic back pain, due it the mattress overhanging 7" . The base was far too small for the mattress and you ended up being rolled into the middle. On other reviews people had also complained about this,so wondering why has nothing been done about it. There was also mould on the blind in the bedroom. Kitchen cupboards with padlocks ,which limits your use. A dishwasher with an out of order sign, a larder unit full of owners cleaning materials, while you don't mind a brush or hoover. you don't expect to see weedol, especially as outside clearly hadn't seen any weedol! The shower was a hose yourself down, though the tilt in the ceiling doesn't really allow for this. The bathroom window(mentioned in other reviews) still needs renewing. The boxing in around the toilet is all damaged and needs repairing and painting. There is a globe light with loads of tape on the base area to stop it being plugged it. Why not just remove it ,as its ugly to see. There are also cups in the kitchen with sayings on such as "fulking Hill, Tickled Cock, Golden balls" more of an owners personal taste, than mine, or a holiday let. There were signs all over the bungalow which show the owners lack of interest in their property. Red paint on white wall,where it would only take a few minutes to touch it up. I can understand the other reviews now, though I expected something would have been done about it. Unfortunately not! Wouldn't recommend or stay again.I have Photographs I can send of all I have commented about,though no place to upload them. Ruth and Jules

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• Lia - Verified booking

  Never have we come back from a self catering cottage so fully rested and relaxed with our batteries fully recharged.

  Wood View Cottage is a little piece of tranquil heaven which, upon arrival, immediately puts you at ease and lets you know you are going to have a wonderful stay and that feeling just gets better with each passing day! We were so sad to be going home and usually we can't wait to get back to our own beds! The cottage is spotlessly clean, spacious and very comfortable. The living room has a choice of a large snuggly corner sofa and occasional chairs which are equally as comfy. The kitchen is huge and so well equipped with literally everything you could possibly need during your stay (even a slow cooker in the cupboard!) and has lots of free cupboard space and worktop space for your things. The beds are the comfiest we have ever stayed in which meant we slept extremely well every night. The swimming pool was wonderful and we used it every day. Having private use of it during the day was fabulous and we had brilliant fun in it. There is a changing room with toilet and shower in the pool room which was very convenient as was having access to the pool room from the hallway of the cottage which we loved. The games room is an absolute gem too - we took our drinks in there of an evening and played pool, darts and ring toss to our hearts content! Things did get quite competitive and by the end of the week our children were regularly beating us at the pool table! The gardens all around the cottage are just beautiful, but especially the huge walled garden with its magnificent and very old pine tree and all of the beautiful and carefully looked after plants, shrubs and flowers. The views are far reaching and spectacular as are the sunrises and sunsets. Finally, Carole and Peter were just lovely - they were very discreet and were happy to just leave us to enjoy our holiday but they were easily available and approachable if we had any questions or wanted to make use of their local knowledge. Thank you for sharing this amazingly quiet and peaceful part of Devon with us. Such lovely people, such a lovely cottage, such a lovely swimming pool, such a lovely games room and such lovely gardens....we cannot wait to come back!.

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• Julie Dawn - Verified booking

  We enjoyed a lovely week in Devon at a lovely location and were pleasantly surprised with the chocolate cake and milk which had been left by the owners.

  The kitchen was large and very well equipped with ample space downstairs for 6 people and 3 dogs, however, we were disappointed with the standard of maintenance and cleanliness and not what we expected at a Sykes property. The following 'snags' were discovered during our stay at the property; 1. The finial on top of the newel post at the bottom of the stairs was loose and detached 2. The mixer tap is the kitchen was very loose 3. Some of the cupboard doors in in the kitchen were loose and broken 4. Both of the baths were chipped and in need of re-enamelling 5. The handle on the large fridge was loose 6. In two of the three bathrooms, the water supply stopped intermittently during bathing 7. There was no 'Information Book' at the property to advise guests of nearest Doctor Surgery, Hospital or Vets 8. None of the heated towel rails worked despite their being plugged in 9. The novel idea of building a breakfast bar around the glass-covered well was of great design, however, the light in the well did not work and it was full of cobwebs and spiders 10. The underfloor heating system was efficient but it was devoid of any way to regulate the temperature as the thermostats did not work so all three bedrooms were very hot at night 11. There were no re-cycling or rubbish instructions available so we disposed of this at the area where there were several bins (presumably the rubbish area) which was untidy and unhygienic 12. The 6th wooden floorboard from the front door had partially collapsed at the step edge 13. The electric socket by the window in the twin bedroom was coming away from the wall The door handles on the double and family bedrooms were loose 14. The swimming pool was very well kept, however, the air and water temperature were too cold and not at all comfortable to take a swim 15. General housekeeping was definitely not to the standard expected for a Sykes property. I trust you will accept this review in the spirit it is intended, as this is not a general moaning session but an opportunity for the owners to improve the facilities.

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