Holiday Apartments in Dorset

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Lynda - Verified booking

  Met by Terry who secured parking.

  Went up several flights of stairs to the apartment with Terry apologising for the smell of rotten fish which was stronger in the flat. He had used air freshen to help. Terry had put an air fan on as the storage heaters were off so the place was chilly. Terry took us through how the flat worked and agreed it was very dated in decor. Once in the kitchen I asked how the oven worked as it was very old and we had an Xmas dinner to cook. After playing with the buttons he called the owner who took him through instructions and it worked. I kept the oven on and decided to cook our Xmas Dinner early as wasn't sure it would work the next day. Terry said the TV worked but didn't know how. Terry set up the storage heater to come on overnight. We left windows open to air the flat as the fish smell remained. There was an opened carton of milk which was half used in the fridge? Good points.....bathroom did have a fresher decor than the rest of the flat. Bed was large and very firm mattress and had electric underblanket which we did use the 1st night to take the chill off the bed. We had one pillow each so had to hunt for second clean ish pillows and wrapped them in spare bedding. Had to be careful to not hit the head on the jutting out cupboard on the wall. View from bedroom was very good. Lounge has dated sofa and chairs. TV was old and the programmes kept dropping out, no signal often. Liked the chair by the window, a lamp behind would have made it a good reading spot. Electric fire came in handy. Kitchen dated and tired but well enough equipped with cooker (once it worked) microwave and kettle (very badly chalked inside though). Plenty of crockery and cutlery available and complimentary detergent/dishcloth/teatowels. Fridge was ok (apart from the half used milk in situ). Bathroom was good, good shower, loo roll and soap dispenser. No WiFi. Use your own data. TV reception intermittent. Did enjoy the sea views, distance to the beach, swimming, walks around, quirky shops and general feel of Swanage. Would return to Swanage but sadly not to this flat. For well over £400 for 3 nights I would have expected it more updated decor and furnishings, better facilities like the cooker, cleaner, not smelly and warm on arrival. I do understand its owned by someone who may not visit often and its their loved holiday home over many years Have used sykes several times in the past and usually very high standard. I feel this flat does need a total upgrade for it to stay on the holiday rental market and achieve a fair rent. If it was updated it would definitely be worth revisiting and would be fabulous. Wish I could have written a glowing review like I usually do. Sorry

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• Lynda - Verified booking

  Met by Terry who secured parking.

  Went up several flights of stairs to the apartment with Terry apologising for the smell of rotten fish which was stronger in the flat. He had used air freshen to help. Terry had put an air fan on as the storage heaters were off so the place was chilly. Terry took us through how the flat worked and agreed it was very dated in decor. Once in the kitchen I asked how the oven worked as it was very old and we had an Xmas dinner to cook. After playing with the buttons he called the owner who took him through instructions and it worked. I kept the oven on and decided to cook our Xmas Dinner early as wasn't sure it would work the next day. Terry said the TV worked but didn't know how. Terry set up the storage heater to come on overnight. We left windows open to air the flat as the fish smell remained. There was an opened carton of milk which was half used in the fridge? Good points.....bathroom did have a fresher decor than the rest of the flat. Bed was large and very firm mattress and had electric underblanket which we did use the 1st night to take the chill off the bed. We had one pillow each so had to hunt for second clean ish pillows and wrapped them in spare bedding. Had to be careful to not hit the head on the jutting out cupboard on the wall. View from bedroom was very good. Lounge has dated sofa and chairs. TV was old and the programmes kept dropping out, no signal often. Liked the chair by the window, a lamp behind would have made it a good reading spot. Electric fire came in handy. Kitchen dated and tired but well enough equipped with cooker (once it worked) microwave and kettle (very badly chalked inside though). Plenty of crockery and cutlery available and complimentary detergent/dishcloth/teatowels. Fridge was ok (apart from the half used milk in situ). Bathroom was good, good shower, loo roll and soap dispenser. No WiFi. Use your own data. TV reception intermittent. Did enjoy the sea views, distance to the beach, swimming, walks around, quirky shops and general feel of Swanage. Would return to Swanage but sadly not to this flat. For well over £400 for 3 nights I would have expected it more updated decor and furnishings, better facilities like the cooker, cleaner, not smelly and warm on arrival. I do understand its owned by someone who may not visit often and its their loved holiday home over many years Have used sykes several times in the past and usually very high standard. I feel this flat does need a total upgrade for it to stay on the holiday rental market and achieve a fair rent. If it was updated it would definitely be worth revisiting and would be fabulous. Wish I could have written a glowing review like I usually do. Sorry

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• Mj - Verified booking

  Overall a very nice place to stay and somewhere I'd happily revisit, though there are minor caveats.

  The location is excellent and the balcony is a lovely place to sit, eat and watch the world go by. The harbour is lively, but not irritatingly noisy. The kitchen is well stocked with cookware and a sizeable fridge/freezer and the furniture is all very comfortable. On the potential downside, the flat is on the top floor of an old building and the ceilings are fairly low. If you're under five feet nine you won't have any problems. Taller than that and you begin to risk minor concussion in doorways. If you're a lot more than six feet tall, it simply won't be workable. Don't make the same mistake as me and be sure to take good note of the instructions for entering the building. There isn't a traditional keypad and this can be very confusing if you're super tired after a long journey and have no experience with that sort of device. Otherwise, just a few minor things that could be easily improved. Thicker curtains/blinds in the bedroom would help to block out the strong high summer early morning light. An electric fan should be provided (this could easily be stored in one of the cupboards during the cooler months): ventilation is good when the windows/doors are open, but when closed to keep out noise and light it can get a little stuffy. It would also be good to have a light summer duvet or light blanket for the warmer months. I would also recommend providing a knife sharpener.

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• Ian - Verified booking

  What a lovely holiday and Swanage is such a clean and friendly place to go for a summer break .

  Blue seas, clean beaches, and along the sea front it is easy to book a deck chair, lounger, and a seas side hut just across the road from the beach. Our accommodation is five minutes from the beach and staying in No 5 Purbeck Plaza apartment was a real a treat. It is ideal for two people, with a comfortable double bed, storage space and a bed side cabinet. The kitchen/ lounge is ideal for cooking and has adequate utensils to prepare for most meals.. The apartment is clean, stylish, and ideal for chilling and the noise from the outside road is easy to shut out. The owner of the apartments is very helpful and easy to talk to. He also owns the Plaza Tapas bar that serves excellent food as well as delightful wines and beers. In the evening just close the front apartment window and it blocks any noise from the streets. Immediate free parking is limited but the road next to the apartments has spaces without time limits but be prepared because it is a steep hill. The apartment is so close to the beach, shops, pubs, and just across the road is a wonderful pizzeria, but book in advance because it quickly fills up. The two of use had a great time so take some friendly advice and book an apartment if you are planning a holiday in Swanage Dorset. Ian and Jane

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• Tammie - Verified booking

  I had a wonderfully peaceful stay in Monarch at the end of June.

  The previous reviews did not lie, the view over the harbour is absolutely fabulous and I enjoyed having a drink in the evening and a coffee in the morning on the balcony watching the harbour at work! The kitchen was well equipped and I very much appreciated the delicious welcome hamper! The bed was comfortable and the bedding just right for warm nights (with a huge bedspread addition if it's not so warm). The bathroom was spotless much like the rest of the apartment and common areas. The apartment is perfectly located in the harbour close enough to great places to eat and shop but just far enough away to be quiet at night (aside from the seagulls who never seemed to take a break!) With the beach a 5 minute walk around the corner you have everything you could need. I can't recommend Monarch enough as a fabulous place to stay in a wonderful town and am looking forward to getting back soon.

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