Group Accommodation Cottages in Chester

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Martin - Verified booking

  We have been delighted with Sykes Cottages before, and were therefore very disappointed with this one.

  It wasn't as good as it sounded in the description. We weren't impressed with the cleaning before our arrival e.g. Plates had been washed then put in the cupboard still wet, the oven knobs and bowls were very greasy and we had to wash them before they could be used. There was not enough washing up liquid, toilet paper or hand soap provided to see 4 economical people through a week, yet alone 6 as advertised. Therefore, we did have to use "a well-stocked convenience store for picking up any last-minute essentials". We had only expected to use the shop for newspapers, milk and food. It wasn't a "well equipped kitchen" for 6 e.g. only 3 egg cups, only 4 dessert spoons, only 1 shelf in oven, no lids for v limited range of pans. There were no cupboards for us to store our food. The space was used storing more wine & other glasses than we can ever imagine being used all at once. Not as comfortable as expected e.g. leaf of dining table sloped, and once the table was laid for a meal it was hard for people to pass to sit down. There weren't a matching set of dining chairs, we had to gather chairs from various rooms. The sofas were very low, there weren't sets of matching crockery etc. It was very difficult to "head out to the large rear garden" as back door was very hard to open, and side gate was very badly damaged before we arrived. Hard to "retire to the sitting room to relax" as there was only 1 small candle like light bulb in a light fitting that should have 5 lights. We wanted to be able to see so that we could read and write. The dining room only had 3/5 bulbs working. I found a spare bulb, but it didn't fit in either room. It looked like an "overhead shower.", but the fitment was broken before we arrived, so it could only be used as a hand held shower head which was awkward, especially as we'd been asked to leave the shower curtain draped over the shower screen. We eventually found the bath plug and ran baths instead. The bedrooms didn't have "plenty of storage for your belongings" as 2/4 cupboards in master bedroom were secured closed, and the other two cupboards already stored things like spare linen & clothes drier. In the back bedroom we couldn't turn the knobs to open either of the white cupboard doors, so all of us had to live out of our cases all week. However, we do agree that The Hawthorns is in "a prime location", "Tucked away in the pretty Cheshire village of Christleton", we did "enjoy leisurely strolls along the Shropshire Union Canal or around Christleton’s Duck Pond". We also appreciated that it was only a "short drive into the bustling city centre of Chester". It would have been nice to have some leaflets, bus timetables and maps available to read. We would also have appreciated information on basic things like which bin was for which rubbish - none of us came from Cheshire so we didn't know the system here. The wonderful location was the main reason for selecting this property as 40 years ago we had our wedding night in Chester. This holiday was to mark our Ruby Wedding Anniversary with our best friends. It was certainly a memorable holiday.

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• Josephine - Verified booking

  The holiday was disrupted from the start.

  The own phoned me 2 weeks before our holiday and asked if we would be willing to travel on the Sunday instead of the Saturday but we had an all day event to attend so couldn't manage so he said that would be OK. 2 days before our holiday Sykes phoned me and informed me as there was a leak in the bathroom could we travel on the Sunday instead or if not arrangements would be made to put us up in an hotel for the Saturday night which at that time we had no alternative but to agree. Trying to find out which hotel it was was another nightmare as nobody seemed to know and it was actually the day of travelling (and we were coming on a journey of over 400 miles from Scotland ) that we found out which hotel after numerous phone calls! We couldn't get into the Hawthorns until 12.45 on the Sunday which really disrupted our plans for the all day event we were attending. It was all very stressful and Sykes didn't appear to be concerned at all. As for the property itself that was big disappointment after some of the lovely properties we've stayed in. It wasn't very clean at all, kitchen dirty, TV didn't work properly, electric fires in both rooms downstairs had no plugs and just wires hanging out, underneath the seating in the living room was very dirty and dusty and the back garden was a disgrace. 4 cars parked outside the property which didn't add anything at all to neglected feel of the property. Very poor facilities and a really neglected air to the place. And also no sign of any work being done for a leak in the bathroom. I presume you do inspect these properties as there is a considerable amount of work needed on this house which could be lovely. Compensation was offered by the owner but never forthcoming and then to add insult to injury we were phoned about missing items which we knew absolutely nothing about. All very stressful indeed and I feel some sort of recompense should be offered by you or the owner. I'm so disappointed with Sykes and feel very let down after all the years we have been dealing with you. It's been a really stressful time for us both and your thoughts on the matter would be appreciated.

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• Caroline - Verified booking

  Our stay at Godscroft Hall was a truly delightful experience.

  Nestled in the peaceful countryside, the hall is full of character and history, offering a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern comfort. The rooms are spacious and well-kept, with beautiful period features that add to the overall atmosphere. The beds are made up with very comfortable bedding and so comfortable. One of the highlights of Godscroft Hall is its stunning surroundings. The grounds are picturesque, providing a serene environment that’s ideal for relaxation. Whether you’re taking a peaceful stroll or enjoying the scenic views, it’s a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Our host, Liz, was absolutely wonderful. She was warm, welcoming, and always attentive, ensuring that every need was met with genuine care. Her local knowledge and personal touch made our stay even more enjoyable, and her hospitality added a special warmth to the experience. Another plus is the convenient location of Godscroft Hall. It’s easy to get to Liverpool, with just a short drive away, and in about an hour you can be at the stunning Welsh coast. Frodsham had a delightful Thursday market and plenty of local pubs serving delicious fayre. Whether you're looking for a countryside retreat or planning day trips to nearby cities and coastal spots, this location is ideal. I would highly recommend Godscroft Hall to anyone looking for a peaceful and memorable countryside getaway. With its beautiful setting, proximity to key locations, and Liz’s exceptional hosting, it’s the perfect retreat for families, couples, or anyone wanting to unwind in a beautiful and tranquil environment. We will be back.

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• Diane - Verified booking

  This was a wonderful place to stay and we hope to be able to return one day.

  The owners were always to be found on the farm and were so welcoming and helpful. Such lovely people. The property is very spacious, clean and comfortable and in a lovely location. There are so many places to visit within a short drive and it is such a peaceful and beautiful spot to return to after a day out. Our two very young grandchildren loved the alpacas and the shetland ponies which they could watch from almost every room in the house and they really miss them now we're back home. A couple of practical things to note: 1) The Sykes Cottages website states that the property has a tumble dryer which is not the case. There is a washing machine and a clothes airer is provided. 2) There was no information about recycling at the property when we arrived and when I discovered later that the local authority has very stringent rules on sorting rubbish I felt bad that the owners were going to have to deal with the mixed rubbish we had left. It would be good to have information in the property about what needs to be separated and where. In this country recycling varies so much from one local authority to the next so it would be good to have some guidance on arrival.

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• Andrew - Verified booking

  Had a 7 night stay at Godscroft Hall with my wife and two children.

  The property is as described and pictured and worthy of its high rating and good reviews. The house was really clean and clearly maintained to a high standard - many such places can be a little tired and neglected when used as holiday lets etc, but it was hard to find any problems or issues here. The room sizes are very generous and the garden a really good size and particularly good for the kids to play out in. You can see both the train line and motorway but living near a city centre I can't say the noise ever bothered any of us, and my son is a bit of a train spotter so they were always a welcome sight. It's down a narrow country lane on the edge of town so driving is fairly essential, but parking right by the house was always straight forward. My only very minor quibble was the wi-fi which seemed to be a little patchy and with a family who spend much time online there was the occasional grumble when the signal was lost. However, it was still fairly usable so not a big issue for me. Overall, a really unique property, way bigger than your typical 3 bedroom holiday let, with a great garden area and very much recommended.

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