Villas In Helston

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Nh - Verified booking

  There is no doubt that Penarvon House is a near perfect setting for a holiday.

  Two bedrooms, the main living space and the kitchen have fabulous views across the Helford. And I mean totally fabulous... why go anywhere else when Cornwall is sunny! This was a week-long break for us, our adult children, plus one partner and the mother-in-law, plus two dogs. Oh, and the World Cup was on, so a good space to watch the England games was a must. Sounds stressful, but this was a perfect rental for the group. The living space is huge, with plenty of room for the footie fans at one end, and others to play cards and games etc at the other end... and that's ignoring the Games Room downstairs. The dogs were well enclosed within the garden, and there were some lovely walks nearby, we'd have done more, but our older dog finds hills a bit tough these days. It's a short walk into the village, and also to the ferry for Helford Passage. Frenchmans Creek is also a short walk away. Helford village itself with it's little shop and a delightful cafe (Holy Mackerel) is charming. To be fair, Helford, and particularly Orchard Lane, is a little bit of a challenge for drivers unused to the tiniest of Cornish lanes, but there's also a sense of delight to have grass from the hedgerows brushing both sides of the car! I would recommend hiring a boat (if you're not a sailor) from Sailaway - they operate from the jetty by the pedestrian ferry, but make sure you ring to book in advance. It was a really fun day, and even the wobbly mother-in-law managed it. Another recommendation is the New Yard restaurant at Trelowarren... locally sourced ingredients in season - delicious. Penarvon House is very much the upper end of the rental market, hence the slight niggles, I'm afraid. Towels were included, but we were only left with the bare minimum number, and there weren't any hand towels left for the ground floor toilet, the utility room or the kitchen; and we were left with no tea-towels at all. It felt a bit odd to make do with a large bath sheet instead. Lovely as it is to have fabulous east facing views from the two main bedrooms, they also get a LOT of light through in the early morning. If it were my property I would ensure that the blind in the master bedroom and the curtains in the lower bedroom were effective at blocking the light. The fact that we found a sleep mask downstairs indicates that others have had the same issue. The worst problem though, I felt, was the difficulty we had making the toilet in the master ensuite flush - you had to keep pressing and pressing the button over and over again to get it to respond. It wasn't electric, but it was extremely reluctant. I also think the cracked floor tiles throughout the property slightly spoil the luxury edge. Sorry to have the niggles, but overall we had a lovely and very relaxing week.

  Read more less >

• David - Verified booking

  Immaculately maintained, tiny characterful property.

  The Old Stable had everything we needed for a comfortable week away, although I would not think a longer stay would be practicable owing to the basic cooking facilities (a portable two ring electric hob and microwave) and just a tumble drier meaning handwashing lighter items of clothing, finding a laundrette or bringing lots of stuff. We appreciated the good quality tea, coffee bags and biscuits which are the hallmark of a thoughtful and welcoming host. Towels and tea towels are provided but bring your own beach towels. The bed on its little gallery is comfortable but we found moving the rolling steps to and fro in order to cook then wash up a bit of a faff, be aware they are quite heavy with steel handrails and glass panels. We knew about this arrangement, and it wouldn't put us off staying here again. No outside space of course, which we also knew about, but the quiet beach is adjacent and is one of our favourites on the Lizard. The Five Pilchards pub, which in the past has done good pub food, has closed down and is for sale but we had a great meal at the beach café next door. I know people rave about the Fat Apples café just up the lane but every time we went past we had just missed it being open. It shuts promptly at 5 pm. Our dog enjoyed staying here and we were glad she couldn't get up the steep steps and attempt to climb onto the bed to find us, which she sometimes does in an unfamiliar house. She had to stay in her own dog bed. She knew where we were and could see us so she was content. This was a definite plus for us.

  Read more less >

• Ross - Verified booking

  The House. the Views and the Surroundings were fantastic!

  Getting in was a major problem as the paperwork said about a key on a hook, not in a new key box!. Getting hold of someone to give us a code (both Sykes and the Cleaner were chased) took nearly two hours and it was pouring with rain, not a good start, we were told this was because Sykes had not up rated their website. NOTE: Sykes, there is no way to contact anyone other than sales and they were not very helpful. We got in to a house smelling of major sewer spill down stairs in the main bedroom and had to pour a bottle of bleach down the shower drain to remove it, this did come back twice more, very unpleasant. We hovered up some pop corn in the main room on the first day and cleaned the moldy shower in the down stairs in the main bedroom as much as we could, it was unpleasant. The house and fittings were tired but acceptable ( the pool ques had no tips or were bent so not able to use) We had a house in port Issac last year similar in size and price which was immaculate and I am basing my feedback on this and the feed back to them was very good. Lastly I don't like the constant monetary threats that seemed to be part of this hire (£100 per half hour of not leaving on time) etc. Will I get a £100 per half hour for the time I had to wait to get in? I don't think so! The fact you are asked to take the sheets off to save the cleaners time. You should pay the cleaners more maybe? Otherwise the family had a very good time but could have been even better! and less stressful. Regards Ross

  Read more less >

• Dawne - Verified booking

  We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Penarvon House.

  Having not visited Cornwall prior to this week, we could not have picked a better spot to drink it all in. The views from the patio are spectacular and the charm and convenience of the little village of Helford down the hillside were exactly what we were seeking. Our only hitches were that the Welcome Email from Sykes did not specify the combination code for the key in the lockbox. We had a mild panic but after a few calls were able to sort it out with the housekeeper. The second hitch was we misinterpreted the description of the bedrooms being on the main level. They are not. We improvised and fashioned a bedroom for my mobility challenged mother in the laundry room and were able to wheel her down the yard and around to the lower level to shower, so it worked out. Just for future information if someone is not able to do any stairs, this is not the home for you. Again the experience at Penarvon was absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend it if you plan to cook any of your meals (which you will if you stay here because the Kitchen is absolutely wonderful!) I've never stayed in a vacation home with a better stocked kitchen which literally had EVERY tool, pan, knife, serving dish, etc. we needed. This is a 5 Star vacation home and I can't recommend it highly enough!

  Read more less >

• Eszter - Verified booking

  We loved the cottage, the decor, the facilities: that big bath downstairs, good kitchen, shower, telly, garden, fairly close to the sea, well insulated, but having extra heaters, the whole feel of the place!

  A couple of little niggles: the washing machine smelled of fungi - I did a hot wash in it after, so hopefully sorted, might need a wash with some vinegary water. The drying machine came in handy after a rainy day! What is nothing to do with the cottage: narrow roads, often single, so a bit stressful driving, but mostly ok, but drivers to be aware. Would be useful to have some more information about: local shops, how to turn on the hot water for the bath (that it needs about an hour, otherwise switch in cupboard by washing machine), we figured out everything else. Tv worked well, and loved the safe and big garden (needs mulching and feeding with organic matter in the autumn, but lovely). Extra bonus to have a freezer as well (we left a frozen chips behind for somebody :D), and left a couple of blue, white and gold plates (they are old, but hope could be used in the decorations). Didn't dare to touch the nice Willeroy Bochs ones, but loved looking at them, the others were great to use and pretty, the whole place has a lovely atmosphere. We were very lucky to have had it for a better price, apart from the long journey from the Midlands, would love to be back someday. Also a great base for visiting several lovely places around. Thank you!!!

  Read more less >