“The cottage was beautiful, along with the stunning views, and beautifully maintained colourful gardens.”
Beds were comfy, WiFi worked, games room was fun, plenty of board games for use, There are lovely places to easily walk and enjoy the views. Information booklets were provided. It was truly lovely. I cannot give this five stars because of things that need tending to, or updating. I'm sorry but, the couches in the lounge seem to not have been cleaned in ages, and that was unsettling. One bath towel, per person for an entire week was too few (many people with long full hair, need a second towel for their hair, or a second towel during the stay). Even the cheapest places we've ever been to offer something for a first morning (or beyond the first morning). We've even been left 'welcome baskets' with scones and jam. It would have been nice to have had even instant packets of coffee and a couple of tea bags and biscuits for that first morning (I cannot think of any hotel or B&B that doesn't provide that). We had to go shopping, came home and made eggs, only to find there was no salt and pepper (and I certainly wasn't going to make the run out again, when hot eggs were on the table). Some very inexpensive long-use items such as these, would have been appreciated. The cottage stated it wanted specific soaps to help keep the water system clean (that's fine--no problem)--but an absolutely minimal supply was provided (less than a quarter of a bottle in two sinks, nothing... not even a simple bar of soap in the shower, no clothes washing powder). I'm fine if I must bring my own, but to then find it's unsuitable and can't be used, then to go to the market and find the cottage friendly 'Ecover' products weren't in stock and spending time searching for 'acceptable products'--well, this was a headache--I don't want shopping worries, or commitments when on holiday, please. A small self-turn-on light at the master bedroom vanity would be nice (constantly walking back and forth to the opposite wall isn't a big task, but it's a nuisance), along with a self-turn-off light at the bedside (falling asleep and having to get up and go to the wall to turn off a light seems ridiculous). Also, a magnifying mirror at the master vanity please (it's very helpful for aiding in applying make-up, or using tweezers). The kitchen layout is odd, but that's just my opinion and it can't be changed--the dishwasher is across from the sink, not beside it, and the rubbish bin is clear across from the sink on the opposite wall. Large spatulas, spoons etc. to cook with are most handy when in the drawer next to the stove whilst cooking, instead of across the kitchen in an inconvenient place. We had a big pot that we brought for a family dinner (glad we did--there are pots, but not one BIG pot). The ladle is way too small and short--almost like a camping ladle--a long handled one would have proved very helpful. There's only one jug which was used as a water jug, but we didn't have another jug for juice. We separated our glass, plastic, paper, compost, and rubbish, only to find upon leaving, that there was only one 'all-in-one rubbish bin' out front. Very sad and disappointing, considering the cottage did not want any chemicals, sanitisers, oil, or even milk down their drains, and wanted everything 'eco' with 'Ecover'. We did see that there was a recycling plant when we were on our way out, but the car was packed full of our suitcases etc., and we certainly weren't going to drive back to the cottage, separate everything, and take everything there. I would hope that the owners could provide many bins, for these several usages. Constantly pouring the bit of excess milk from a cereal bowl or coffee cup (milk and oil cannot be poured down the drain) into the bin seems wrong, and then the bag leaked, and I spent my time cleaning a bin--not what I care to do on holiday. I would have paid the extra twenty pounds (that would have been an overpayment, but I would have paid it) in knowing that basic things: soap in the shower, full liquid soaps and washing powder, a few tea bags, some coffee and UHT milk packets, a small bottle of vegetable oil (or similar), a few tea biscuits, and salt and pepper were provided. Most travellers are tired, have packed and unpacked, and just want to waken to a shower with soap, and a simple something to eat and a hot drink, to get them started. I felt this seemed both cheap, rude, and unwelcoming on behalf of a luxury cottage. When places really 'welcome' my family--I can tell you, I am impressed, start off very happy, and I recommend the place to friends, and want to return there myself. Although the cottage was nice, pretty, roomy, great views...I would not want to return because it did not provide the basic niceties, and I would not want to spend my time cleaning someone else's bin, ever again.
I'm sorry to read your review Mark. You raise many items and I will try and answer most.
1. Recycling. Like most holiday lets here we use Cumbria Waste Group. Whilst everything goes in the one bin the company do recycle from this with their own facility. There was information to say this in our cottage book when you stayed but I've added some more information on it. There was therefore no need to separate out items.
2. Cleaning Products. We do provide our own Ecover cleaning products and hand wash. At the time of your stay we had just switched from cleaning the cottage ourselves to employing our cleaner Diane who is excellent. If there was insufficient for your stay due to this change I'm sorry but a call to us would have allowed you access to our storeroom in the cottage where you could have restocked.
3. Towels. Guests are provided with a bath towel and hand towel for their stay.
4. Bedside light . There are bedside lights with their own switches in the master bedroom. The main 3 gang light switch at the door for the other lights would not be appropriate at the bedside .
5. Kitchen. We spent a long time designing the kitchen and we think it works brilliantly including the location of the dishwasher. As to equipment guests tell us it is very well equipped according to our guest book. We did have a 5 litre stockpot there during your stay but we have now added an 8.5 litre as well.
6. Tea & Coffee. We used to leave a basic supply of tea, sugar salt and pepper etc when we did our own changeovers and have now reinstated this.
Thank you for your other comments.
Steven
Property Owner