“This property sadly lacks pride, maintenance and even basic cleanliness.”
There’s no doubt it’s a great location, and gardens looked immaculate.
Unfortunately, my first experience while hanging my coat on the back of a dining chair, were crumbs on the seat. I was prepared to move on. Unfortunately, the kitchen floor was also dirty with many visible crumbs ans if not even hoovered, and cupboard interiors also looked unhygienic, as did the fridge. The freezer compartment needed defrosting.
Relying on previous customers to wash up means some dishes also weren’t clean.
The sofas looked like they’d been there since 1999, were uncomfy and grubby, as were the bed cushions and throw. The bed itself was exceptionally comfy and big, let down by tragic pillows. The bedroom wardrobe and drawer space were extensive, although broken hanger bits in the wardrobe base were unnecessary. The ancient CD player was covered in dust, as were socket tops, and bathroom towel railings.
The hairdryer was wonderfully powerful.
My husband didn’t shower in four days as he didn’t want to spend any longer in the en suite. The sink looks relatively recently replaced, but the finishing is poor, with already lifting surface. The extensive mould throughout the bathroom is inexcusable, possibly exacerbated by lack of working extractor. The grouting is haphazard and looks dirty, as did inside the cubby behind the bath, and the tissue holder, which didn’t have any tissues in it. I did have a bath and the hot water was plentiful and appreciated after walking. We were able to prepare all our meals, although couldn’t find a chopping board. And not even a drop of milk on arrival for a brew after a long journey is pitiful. We rationed toilet roll use on the last morning as we were going to run out. We appreciate the patience due to our mis-read of the check out time, although 9am is the earliest we’ve known, certainly given all the chores we had to do before leaving.
The sanitiser either was empty, or didn’t work, like the kitchen clock.
The website photos, adorned with flowers etc aren’t representative of this property’s presentation on arrival. And we wouldn’t have cooked on that barbecue even if weather permitted.
We enjoyed our stay, only because the Lakes are so beautiful, but sadly feel very ripped off. The reviews and guest book comments don’t mirror our findings, so we appear to be unique in our views. But based on this experience, we shan’t use this website again, and have been recommended Lakelovers instead.
This property absolutely can and should be a minimum 4*, and it has plentiful bookings, so best of luck to the owners and all who stay. We have photos of the above, excluding the en suite - although anyone could see the mould and shoddy workmanship for themselves. Thank you again for helping with the key incident and for patience on our check out. We hope the tidying we did (including hoovering downstairs) compensated.
We are sorry that you have not enjoyed your stay at our cottage and would have liked to be given the opportunity to to put any issues right upon arrival. However we were not notified of these issues until you left this review. You refer to lack of maintenance since 1999. The property was not being used as a cottage back in 1999. In 2023 the following maintenance was carried out: New bed and headboard, new bedside lamps, throws and cushions. New bedding and pillows all anti allergic, new windows and doors in entire property. Redecorated inside and out. Patios relaid carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned cooker and bbq professionally cleaned. Over the last couple of years we have updated the fittings in the bathroom including a silent extractor so not to disturb sleep. Replaced pads in the sofas, installed smart tvs with access to tv and music streaming. Replaced curtains in bedroom. We would have happily shown you where the chopping boards were kept had you have asked and put right any cleaning issues that had been overlooked had we have been given the opportunity to do so at the onset especially given that you called our house keepers out on Saturday evening to extract the key from the lock. Our cleaner was very upset with the way she was spoken on this occasion and on your departure. We do not tolerate offensive behaviour towards our staff. We take great pride in endeavouring that our guests have a good stay with us
Property Owner