Last Minute Cottages in Bideford

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jill - Verified booking

  This is the first time I have stayed in a holiday cottage that I do not want to return to.

  The biggest disappointment is the garden. Overgrown with weeds, growing up through the drains and the astroturf I swept the seating area, which was disgraceful, so it wouldn't look quite as bad for the next occupier. There is a broken bar-b-q (which we were told by Sykes had been removed), a broken sun parasol (unusable) and, on arrival, 7 bags of full black refuse bags plus 2 full dustbins in the small garden, most unpleasant. Most of the refuse bags were removed a couple of days later (I had complained). The outdoor table and chairs are long past their best. When I stayed there was scaffolding overhanging the garden from the house next door. Inside:- less important - TV remote still not working despite being reported by the previous reviewer, and looked into by Sykes who informed me it had been seen too, Toaster didn't work and still had crumbs in and around. The oven needs cleaning. Cobwebs in the bedside lamp. As the previous reviewer remarked:- quite a steep climb which some people would not be able to manage and isn't mentioned in the description. Parking is quite tricky to manoeuvre. No information is provided , eg health care, local vets, etc. This is the only holiday cottage I've stayed in where no info is provided and no welcome pack. The keysafe box is a bit fiddly - be patient and keep trying! This property is the only one I've stayed where I have no wish to return. It has the potential to be a lovely place to stay but gives the impression to me of being uncared for. One huge wall against the adjoining house is just a wall of peeling paint, looks awful. I saw a previous reviewers comments a few days before I was going. I was upset and contacted Sykes Cottage for reassurance that the issues had been addressed. I had to contact Sykes again just 24 hours before I was due to go because I had heard nothing back. Sykes e mail to me told that they had contacted to the owner and the issues had been addressed. On arrival I discovered that they had not. Sykes told me that the grotty bar-b-q had been removed - it hadn't. The run up to my previously highly anticipated holiday was spoiled by the previous poor review. The good points:- The cottage has a wonderful view from the front bedrooms and the kitchen has everything you need. We loved Westward Ho itself.

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• Kate - Verified booking

  Pros: 1. The house was in a lovely spot with easy access to the beach/ sea front.

  2. Lovely views from the front upstairs windows 3. Outdoor shower in back garden - which is very useful when returning from the beach Cons: 1. No sign/number on house. 2. On arrival at the house the TV would not come on, we reported it to the caretaker he did come the same day and tried to sort the problem out which was the TV remote. He said he would order another which he did and this come the 4th day into our holiday. On looking at recent past reviews other holiday makers had stated they had issues with the TV over the past few months and this was on going. All appliances etc should be sorted/checked on change over day each week to check for any faults that may need rectifying. 2. The general cleanliness of the house was disappointing, it could have done with a good clean and sweep. The house does accept pets and it was obvious that in recent times a dog had been upstairs which the owner in the guest book had requested not to let pets upstairs. We had to buy our own dust pan and brush and give the house a clean, we feel that it was cleaner when we left that what we had found it in!!! 3. The house could have done with some TLC - such as the kitchen needs updating etc. We have stayed in properties with Sykes Cottages in the past and paid much less for a better standard, the property could be really nice with that extra care and attention. I appreciate it is the summer months so the prices do increase however when you pay so much money for a well earned break that you have looked forward to for months you expect a good standard and this was lacking which was disappointing.

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• Pat - Verified booking

  On arrival at a small terrace on unmade road tight spot to back into.

  Cottage looked dirty and unappealing with black cobwebs all over dirty Windows. Bbq in garden not fit for use. Garden needed a good sweep and tidy. Astro turf on uneven ground. Kitchen I cleaned on arrival as fridge covered in dirty finger prints. Only 2 rings on hob stayed alight so only ones that could use 4 saucepan lids 2 saucepans. Heating was off. No logs for log burner. Caretaker took 2 days to put heating on and failed to replaice broken TVs remote which he promised he would. Freezer drawers were dirty so didn't use. No folder to advise any local information or where boiler was or would have attempted to do heating ourselves. Any good was spoilt by things that could have easily been rectified the house in general was nice apart from kitchen area which was suffering from wear and tear 10 minute walk to town was a very steep walk up and down. Would have expected this to have been advised. Wouldn't book again

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• Carol - Verified booking

  This is a beautiful and comfortable property.

  We spent a delightful week and enjoyed the peace, the views and the hot tub. It is well located for visiting the beach at Northam Burrows and other popular tourist spots such as Rosemoor (RHS), Hartland Point, Bideford, The Tarka Trail and others. The house is spacious and well equipped. My only criticism is that, despite the sloped access to the front door, inside the house there were several deep steps from the hallway to the dining room and from the dining room to the kitchen. My mother is now elderly and disabled. She uses a stick in the house and a mobility scooter when out and about. The bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor and same level were great, but the steps were a persistent problem. I noticed a recent previous guest reviewed with the same point.

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• Kenneth - Verified booking

  On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became ...

  On arrival found a poorly tarmac road and difficult parking, toilet flush became an issue part way through the week, shower door didn’t close properly, windows need a good clean, Fridge smelled very strongly of fish, bathroom door wouldn’t stay shut, some lights didn’t work, TV signal was poor so had to rely on streaming services, garden had multiple weeds making the garden look uncared for, had to clean out drawers in master bedroom before putting clothes in it, both double beds were hard and uncomfortable unless you like hard orthopaedic mattresses, Dining chairs felt damp after sitting on them, would not stay at Cecily Cottage again

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