“We booked one or two holidays a year with Sykes over many years and, until now, have never been disappointed.”
This property was rated 4 ticks but offered little to justify that rating. The issues were:
• Cottage for six people has a tiny domestic fridge and a freezer compartment that was filled when we put a pack of ice in it;
• The double doors to the garden did not close or secure properly;
• Cutlery and crockery did not match;
• No washing machine and no dishwasher;
• Too many negative notices on walls and warning letters - one of them even began "Please comply with the following". Seriously, is that the way you would greet a guest. Things can be put into a positive statement;
• Tracks into and around the property were worn into deep ruts and bumps that caused cars to ground;
• Minimum of provision, eg six of each item of cutlery (eat breakfast and wash up for lunch and then for dinner; don't have a separate knife, fork or spoon for serving food). Just not generous as we experience from 4 tick properties elsewhere with Sykes;
• One tiny tea towel;
• Creaky floors;
• No light over the cooker (did not work) nor any light over the prep side of the kitchen;
• Slats on one of the beds were loose and allowed one to slip through when sitting on the bed;
• We understood why there would be nobody on reception (notices indicated that they would be there infrequently) but why not at least have someone around at check in time?
• No welcome pack (very rare in most properties and unique in our experience of Sykes);
• Cheap glassware
All in all, this has damaged our confidence in Sykes. Next year, I will not say, as I usually do to our family when I book, "We don't need to worry, its a Sykes Cottage"
Positives: Cleanliness, pleasant interior, good wi fi, hot tub, amazing view and secluded garden.
Thanks for your feedback. In regards to the lodge, it is self catering, we offer towels, kitchen utensils, saucepans, linen etc. We haven't had any issues with the size of the fridge/freezer before, but will of course take this on board. It did clarify there was no washing machine or dishwasher in the lodge. We do offer cabins with these and so maybe you choose the wrong lodge. The roads have been sorted and filled in. There is a welcome pack in the lodge. Thanks
Property Owner
