Lodges & Log Cabins in West Midlands

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Drue - Verified booking

  110% DO NOT RECOMMEND.

  On the photos, this place looks like a nice time away, but when you are there, it’s horrendous. I’ll explain why. Entering into the cottage, we were greeted by month-old spider webs in the bathroom, bedroom and the sitting area. The bathroom contained a huge spider with baby spiders nesting on its month-old spider web - not to worry we thought, and we killed it. The next day, we were then knocked on by David (the owner) - me and my partner were half naked (privacy??) - and I spoke with him outside. He was talking about how Sykes Cottages is a rip off and then went onto mention a couple bringing a cat in a way you can tell he was about to slag them off - this was me and my partner, and I told him this. He then looked shocked as he knew that I knew he was about to badmouth me and my partner. The conversation ends a few sentences later. The following day, our hot tub started to smell like rotten eggs (a chemical reaction caused by a PH imbalance) so we told David and David responds with “it might pay you to go in the shower before you go on”, implying me and my partner are scruffs on a basic. David then comes to the cottage, proceeds to put more chlorine in it (it needed the opposite of chlorine and I told him this) and we then waited to see if it was fine. NO it wasn’t fine, it smelt like bleach and when you put your nose close enough to it, the smell burnt your throat - we didn’t go in, obviously. We then informed David that it now smelt like bleach and he then makes the same comment about going in the shower. He comes around to proceed to tell us he’d emptied it and had filled it back up. About 5 minutes after this call, me and my partner went and checked it to find that the hot tub had spontaneously heated instantly back up to 41.40 degrees - he hadn’t emptied it, but had just put the jets on - yes David, this is definitely solving the problem. After this, we waited to see if it would get any better and the answer is no, it didn’t - it got worse. We then contacted David again to get the problem sorted, and he responds with the same comment, so I hang up - he comes around, does nothing again and off he trots. At this point, me and my partner had been more than fair and David wasn’t helping anyone, so we left 4 nights early. By far out of all of the holidays I have ever had, and I have had a lot of holidays, this was the absolute worst and the absolute worst one could have possibly been - it was a literal nightmare. I preferred to be driving back home on the A1(M) at 1am than I did staying here - and to put the icing on the cake, David has not contacted us once after we left, of which evidently shows his lack of care for his customers, and his inability to provide even the slightest of decent business etiquette for his customers, or even himself. Some things I haven’t mentioned: 1. The cottage hadn’t been cleaned in months and this was evident by the stains left in the bathroom, the month-old cob webs and the crumbs that were already on the floor, 2. The bed is rock-solid and doesn’t have a duvet - if you like sleeping like a normal person, go elsewhere or if you must go here, bring your own, 3. David watches you like a hawk and everything you do - don’t expect privacy with him, and almost certainly don’t expect him to help with anything - if he appears to be “helping” it’s simply to spy on you, 4. If your hot tub smells horrifically of chlorine/bleach, do NOT go in but also do NOT expect David to fix the issue - you may as well go home, 5. The TV’s aren’t smart TV’s, they are free view normal TV’s and this is a form of false-advertising, 6. Take all other ratings with a pinch of salt, it is unbelievable that anyone else has experienced a nice time at this place as it was literal hell for us. It’s a true and absolute disappointment and shame that genuine customers looking for a nice place to go away, kick their feet up and relax away from stress and build life-long memories are duped into this nightmare of a holiday by and with David. Please trust me when I say this: IF YOU HAVE OPTIONS OF WHERE YOU GO, DO NOT GO HERE - AND DO NOT THINK ABOUT GOING HERE IF YOU DON’T HAVE OPTIONS - IT’S A MASSIVE WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME. From all of that has happened, I will be making a formal complaint to Sykes and obtaining a full refund.

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• Philip - Verified booking

  My partner and I stay in different lodges around the UK four or five times a year and never usually go back to the same location.

  In this instance however, we saw that Callow Lodge 2 (which we had booked through Sykes Cottages in September 2016) was available. As we had enjoyed that lodge and the location facilities, we booked it again. Really looking forward to the spacious lodge and good sized hot tub, we checked in. We new where the lodge was situated on site and proceeded to its location to find another family in occupation. It was then we realised we had been given the keys to Callow 22, not Callow 2. This lodge, although having all the same internal amenities, was smaller in floor space, had a smaller hot tub and was situated on the main road to the rest of the lodges in that area (Unlike Callow 2, which was the last lodge on a road to the maintance yard and therefore rarely used). When I complained to reception, I was told that all the other lodges were full, therefore reluctantly, had to accept this lodge. Do not get me wrong, the lodge was as good as Callow 2, but smaller than we were expecting. Within two days we were asked to call into reception where the staff admitted it had been an administrative error on their part. As compensation they offered us a £50 cash back and a £50 voucher for the next time we stop with them (As stated above, we never usually go back to the same place so will not be using that). The site is adult only, has lodge and tourer facilities, has a good onsite restaurant and the grounds are kept immaculate.There are also good fishing ponds within the site that hold large fish. The staff were always very friendly and obliging. I would have no hesitation in recommending this location to others,

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• Darren - Verified booking

  Ive waited a few weeks before leaving a review as I wanted to reflect for a while.

  The park itself was beautifully kept, a credit to the grounds keeping team! It was also very quiet on an evening. I don't agree with description of the lodge as "outstanding" it maybe was several years ago. The pictures on sykes website advertising this lodge are old, it look's more luxurious in pictures, as to reality. I actually thought I'd walked in the wrong lodge, and had to go back outside and check the number on the fence to see if I had the right lodge, the sofas and dining table are not the same as the pictures! Instead there is two old leather sofas, and the dining table and chairs are totally different, and really old and tired imediately making it feel less luxurious. There is a lot of missing information on sykes website about this property and the rules etc. I'd advise checking with park before booking. I was most annoyed that I was told that if I wanted any friends or family to visit me during my stay it was £10 per visitor. I booked a lodge for 3 people and there was only me and the dog! They allow visitors free if there spending money in the bar/restaurant no problem! I've stayed in a lot of these lodges over the years and for value for money Its disappointing. I wouldn't stay in this lodge again nor would I use sykes again. There is a lot of road noise like the other reviews state, it didn't bother me though. The hot tub was nice to use but even that was old and tired. To top it off sykes refused my top cashback claim even though I've followed the procedures ...shame on you sykes !!!

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• Philip - Verified booking

  This was the first time we had stopped at Beaconsfield Farm Holiday Park.

  On arrival first impressions were good. Well maintained areas around the Lodges and Caravans. Two good sized fishing lakes and the caravans segregated from the lodges. Booking in was quick, easy and we were directed to our lodge in no time at all. Being able to park next to your lodge is a bonus as in other lodge locations we have stayed at, you left the car at the entrance. Callow Lodge 2 was clean, spacious and comfortable with two double bedrooms. The hot tub was secluded and private. I had booked a two bedroom lodge with the intention of my Brother and Sister in Law staying for two nights on their way down from Scotland to London. However, I was told this was not allowed unless I paid an additional fee. It was also pointed out that, although their were two double bedrooms, Sykes cottages advertised it for three people, when clearly the lodge was set up for four. Another aspect of the booking that was not pointed out by Sykes Cottages, were the number of rules you had to adhere too. No vehicles with commercial markings allowed on site. Check in had to be no later than 7pm. Any guests had to be booked in at £10 per person per visit. Only allowed to visit between 10am and 9pm. Visitors cars were to be left at the entrance. No use of the Hot Tub after dusk. Although these rules did not detract from an enjoyable holiday, I feel that Sykes Cottages should have notified us prior to arrival.

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• Pauline - Verified booking

  This is a real gem of a place, the hut is surrounded by farmland and a wonderful, unspoilt look.

  Based at the end of the owners garden, it is secretly placed amongst a small orchard in an extensive green space, easily the length of a football park. Peace and quiet is guaranteed. Throw away those phones, bring your books and relax and take in the sounds of the countryside. There is a resident pigeon and game birds are running around the adjoining fields. Take a seat at one of around 5/6 , seating areas, all with great views of the surrounding hills. At night, enjoy sipping a coffee, wine or beer at the front of the hut, lit up with solar lights. Inside, the hut has everything you need for a weekend away, or like us, a full 7 nights. A Comfortable bed awaits, with a log burner for those colder nights. The surrounding areas have an abundance of places to walk why not take in go ape, walk, cycle or zip slide around the forrest. Many restaurants and pubs nearby. Plough Inn - 3 courses for 12 quid, or for 20 the largest steak you can eat. Sunday lunch at the Running Horse is a must. If going out and about, the steam train from Kiddiminstet is a real treat. Finally, find better hosts, please let me know, Pete and Donna were excellent hosts - full of useful information for outings - helped us with our weekly intimacy. Great folks, great place, we will be back.

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