Villas With Hot Tubs In County Durham

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Judith - Verified booking

  Firstly the good points.

  The accommodation is well positioned within the town with everything on the doorstep. It was generally clean and tidy when we arrived (but see below). The large garden was great for our grandchildren who joined us during our stay. The bad points: outside – steep steps down to the house would benefit from some proper lighting. The barbecue was rusty and not very clean, we didn’t feel inclined to use it. The log burner was rusty, full of ashes and burned through at the base – again it wasn’t really usable. We tried for several days to get the hot tub to heat up (instructions in the house were basically a brochure for a range of different tubs so not specific to the one installed at Knights Corner and not very clear). Finally contacted the owner who replied to say “press the heat button”. We’d already done this without success (it’s actually labelled “warm”). Two very helpful maintenance guys from the castle turned up the following day and tried several times to get it to work They came back three times during the day and said they thought there was a problem with it before it finally started to heat up and tried twice to contact the owner without success. We were finally able to use it once the evening before we left. Inside – house and wardrobes smelt musty when we arrived; we had to buy a plug in air freshener. TV remotes needed cleaning; the oven wasn’t cleaned properly and there was a burnt fat smell when we first turned it on. The extractor hood for the cooker wasn’t working – in an open plan property this is a must – and from other reviews we’ve seen this has been a problem since last year. Only half of the toaster worked and the kitchen itself wasn’t particularly well equipped (for example, there was one shallow serving dish for a property accommodating six people). The bathroom toilet leaked and the plug in the bathroom sink didn’t work. Five days after we returned home, having heard nothing regarding return of our damage deposit, I contacted the owner who immediately sent back photos of damage we had allegedly caused. I wasn’t aware of any damage and would have expected to be contacted much sooner if there was any issue, not much later in response to my request for the deposit to be returned. In short, for a property costing as much as this one to rent, there are too many negatives and I would not recommend it. For anyone considering a Stanhope Castle breaks please look at the more recent reviews which are available on many different websites.

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• Louise - Verified booking

  Badger's Sett at Alwent Hall was EXACTLY what I'd been wanting for well over a year.

  It was immaculate, comfortable and warm. The views over the surrounding farm land were incredible and the wood fired hot tub was definitely the highlight for me. Alwent Hall is quite easy to navigate to and find. There is a huge white stone at the top of the driveway that indicates where you need to turn in. There is also ample parking for large cars in the designated accommodation spaces. Alwent Hall is conveniently located between the Yorkshire Dales and Pennines National Park so ensure you plan a long enough stay to explore all they have to offer! Steven is a gracious host (he called me on the day of my stay to ask if I wanted the hot tub heated up!) and very easy to talk to, with plenty of life stories if you want to hear them - at the same time, he will happily leave you be to enjoy your time there on your own (unfortunately we did not get to meet his wife, Mary). There is a lovely pizza restaurant in the nearby town that delivers right to your lodge doorstep and the local pub, The Brownlow Arms, was a typical country pub that served AMAZING food. The one and only suggestion we have to improve (this does not affect our stay at all, just a nice comfort addition) is to add stepping stones from the door to the hot tub. The gravel was a little sharp under foot! Thankfully the distance from the hot tub to the lodge isn't far at all. I believe this place is ideal in winter and summer! We will absolutely return when the weather is warmer so we can enjoy a drink on the deck overlooking the rolling hills, stream and surrounding farm land. Overall, the lodge and its setting at Alwent Hall was a gorgeous, calming environment and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering a hot tub/nature walk/log cabin getaway. I left feeling totally relaxed.

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• Adam - Verified booking

  Beautiful entrance to the castle grounds with great parking at the cottage.

  On arrival the cottage was lovely and warm and very welcoming. 2 good size bedrooms and a big bathroom, nice bedding, with plenty of towels. The living area is all in one which is really convenient, the kitchen is well stocked, meaning you have everything you need to cook with plenty of glasses, crockery and cutlery. In the sitting room area of the living quarter there are 2 sofas that are very comfortable and a good size smart tv. Outside is an enclosed yard which is perfect if you have a dog. The hot tub is lovely, sitting at about 40° and very clean. A couple of improvements could be made, but please don't let this put you off. A curtain across the front door would not only make it warmer but if you have the lights on, walking through the hallway at night you feel a little exposed as there is just nets over the large glass front door. A new bath panel and a little silicone would improve the bathroom which is lovely and the lights in the mirror unit need looking at. The top of the hot tub needs a bar to assist with the removal and closing as it is heavy. It's not for everyone but personally a TV in each of the bedrooms would be a great improvement. The above are little improvements in an otherwise beautiful cottage, with lovely grounds to walk around, that we will 100% be booking again. As a side note, I spoke to multiple members of staff while on site and everyone was extremely helpful and friendly, credit to the staff.

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• Adam - Verified booking

  My husband and I went for a three night break in Badgers Set.

  It was a wonderful experience. The owners were incredibly helpful and friendly; showing us around the hut and how to warm the hot tub. They phoned us in advance of us arriving to ask our estimated arrival time so that the hot tub could be warmed. There was a folder containing helpful information about the facilities and local amenities. We brought along our Labrador who had a welcome pack of his own waiting for him with throws for the furniture, treats and bowls. The setting was absolutely ideal for relaxing in a ‘get away from in all’ place. I was initially worried that the hot tub would not be private enough, but the careful layout of the huts meant that it absolutely was. While enjoying the hot tub, we were able to hear only a small waterfall near by and enjoyed a clear sky and all the stars! The hut itself was spotless with beautiful fixtures and fittings. It was warm and comfortable, with both central heating and a gas log burner. There is a large parking space allocated to each hut with well maintained pathways to each hut. Whilst we were there, we enjoyed nice walks in the local area and visited the nearby small towns. In the town we bought a picture of an owl, drawn by a local artist, to remind us of an amazing barn owl that flew overhead whilst we were in the hot tub. We would not hesitate to recommend Badgers Hut, we had the best time. Thank you.

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• Elaine - Verified booking

  The lodge was absolutely lovely, comfortable and very clean.

  We were looking for peace and tranquility, which we definetly found here. The bed was very comfortable and the hot tub and views great. A few things which could be looked at, but probably none that would stop us booking again. One issue which really need looking into is the fridge, it is quite noisy during night ( which kept me awake) and the ice box was so full of ice we couldn't get anything in it. The outside seats really need varnishing, they're not a very welcoming first impression. There are no cooking utensils eg: spatula or scissors etc. and only two sideplates. Two of the coffee mugs are so badly marked inside, they need replacing. I really hope these issues will be dealt with, especially the fridge. It would really help to enhance a stay. We took our frying pan, as a review said the one provided was too small, unfortunately the pans don't work, the hob only comes on when the heavy pans provided are used. We took our Cosori which cooks most things as we knew there was no oven. A full length mirror on the back of bathroom door or wardrobe door would be a bonus. I like to be honest in reviews and feel sure Syke cottages would want to know of any concerns so they can be rectified.

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