Lodges & Log Cabins in South Devon District

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jill - Verified booking

  So sorry I can't give a good review.

  ..I can only give you an honest one. The only good thing about this place was that it was dog friendly and that you could park very near the chalet. Where to start. So we were there for two weeks with our dogs. There was no washing machine, so after a week or so we ended up having to lug dirty washing around until we found a launderette. No dishwasher, which wouldn't have been a big deal, but the hot water tap in the kitchen didn't do much more than trickle, took ages to heat up then suddenly it was scalding - I managed to burn myself a couple of times. The plastic washing up bowl in the sink was too small to be able to get a dinner plate flat inside, so you couldn't actually soak anything. The first or second evening the power cut out, so we had no light from early evening till the next morning. When the maintenance man came over, he didn't know why we had no power. Eventually he discovered that there was a coin meter which you had to keep feeding with a token to keep power on. He found out that this information was in the chalet handbook, but who reads that from cover to cover as soon as you arrive? There was a mini freezer, but it was full of ice (not cubes) and the door didn't close properly so it was useless. There were no mixer taps in kitchen/bathroom, just old fashioned one hot, one cold, so to wash your hands you had to put the plug in and run both before you got a usable temperature. There was only one key, so that was a bit inconvenient when there's two people who might want to be doing their own thing at times. Kitchen was sparsely equipped - cutlery was only four of each item so you were constantly getting up after main course to wash cutlery before you could eat pudding. Oh, the bed. Double bed was maybe a foot off the floor, and I don't mean the frame - that was to the top of the mattress. Matress was maybe 6 inches tops thick - when lying, you could feel every bar of the metal frame under you. Tiny bedroom - when walking round the bed, you were constantly banging your shins on the hard frame corners. I actually came away with bruises. The bedroom was from maybe the seventies - you had little cupboards either side of the bed with cupboards above that were hinged at the top, which the doors were starting to dangle. Generally, when you looked around, it was dated and somewhat tatty - scrapes along the walls where furniture had been moved or pushed against walls, that the paint hadn't been touched up, it had just been left. It felt like the owners/maintenance just didn't care. When we first walked in, I stood on the doormat and it shot across the floor leaving me on my back, and I have a spinal condition so I was in terrible pain for a couple of days. Doormat got immediately taken off the floor. One corner of the living area had a vacuum and various cleaning things leaning up against the wall - they couldn't have even put them out of sight? Needless to say, we won't be staying there again. I hate leaving negative reviews, but honestly, these are just the facts as to how we experienced our stay. Such a shame.

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• Gillian - Verified booking

  We were disappointed with the fact that we had to pay £25 for parking on the site for the week.

  We were expecting that as we had a nominated parking space for one car and a pass, the pass would wave any parking fee which it did not. This should be clearly stated in your documentation re this accommodation. We rang the helpline for clarification and they were not helpful all we were told was if we didn’t pay we would be fined £100 even though I was instigating an enquiry with intention to pay, The Ringo facility would not work for me and the two ladies on the telephone helpline I spoke to could not even give me the number to ring to pay the fee. Finally realising we would have to pay we had to then go out in wind and rain to find a number on a machine. These helpline assistants should have been able to clarify, answer my questions and have the number to hand immediately instead of me doing their job for them. Threatening a customer with fines on the first day of a holiday is not good customer service. This ruined the first day of our holiday and whilst the parking fee was not excessive to us, some people in the same position could have had to spend holiday spending money on parking fees instead of their family. The whole experience was unpleasant. Please make the amount £25 summer £10 winter parking on site even with pass clearly visible for future customers in the details of your documentation. In addition to this the site was locked every night at 7:30pm which was restrictive. Very few shops and facilities on site or nearby. Apart from the above the Chalet was In An excellent position for viewing out to sea and it was interesting to see naval vessels, sailing boats, ferries and yes, one submarine from the comfort of our chairs through patio windows in the chalet. This was the most enjoyable part. Beaches and coastal paths nearby, but cars are needed and roads are single track. The chalet was well equipped with everything needed. Decor pleasant throughout. Shower room a little small and could perhaps do to be refurbed. Altogether mostly pleasant holiday, it is the first time we have been a little disappointed with Sykes Holidays and it was only related to the parking and helpline which just needs clarification. We have holidayed at times with Sykes over many years and this incident was just unfortunate, we will try again. One other thing, not everyone has the latest mobile phone or have lots of I.T. Don’t forget these people, give them other options. Thank you for giving us the chance to make a point. Gillian and Stephen Gilfeather.

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• Christine - Verified booking

  Turnpike Lodge provides compact accommodation in the garden of the owners house.

  It is clean, well decorated and warm. Ivor and Dee, the owners are friendly and helpful. There is a bedroom with wardrobe and three chests of drawers at one end near the front of the property, a small open-plan sitting/dining room and kitchen in the middle and the bathroom, with toilet, sink and shower is accessed via a sliding door straight from the kitchen. The sitting room has patio doors out into Ivor and Dee's garden which you are invited to use. We often saw Ivor and Basil the dog pottering round the garden while we were relaxing indoors. Ivor, very helpfully, stood out on the main road outside Turnpike Lodge to wave us down when we arrived and then stopped the stream of traffic so that we could reverse into the parking space-and that's where the car stayed for the week that we were there. This is an excellent base for exploring the area. Broadsands beach is within walking distance with a good cafe and a burger/coffee bar. The bus service between Newton Abbott and Brixham runs from just around the corner and from Brixham you can catch a bus to Kingswear and across the ferry to Dartmouth. You can walk to Berryhead from Brixham and we also took the bus into Torquay one day and walked back to Paignton along the cliff path. There is a fish and chip restaurant just around the corner and a One Stop shop. Points to note; Turnpike Lodge is at the junction (traffic light controlled) of two very busy roads which might be tricky for visitors not used to the noise. There is a street light on the top main road which shines straight into the bedroom even when the curtains are closed so visitors liking total darkness at night night want to bring an eye mask for comfort. Apart from the fridge, there is no storage space for food which is the perfect excuse for eating out! They serve a full English breakfast down at the cafe on Broadsands beach! Turnpike Lodge is ideally placed to explore Torbay and beyond.

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• Maxine - Verified booking

  Overall we did enjoy the week in dartmouth However the chalet was disappointing and wasn't somewhere I looked forward to returning to each day.

  Cleanliness was inconsistent; the bathroom seemed clean and tidy. However there was a food wrapper under the double bed and a lot of dust. This is clearly an area that is missed.regularly There are also dust collectors under the bed which must make it difficult for the cleaner. I think one item is a foldaway chair but I didn't really want to touch it to pull it out. We also had to clean the handles of the kitchen units which were also dusty. The furniture was uncomfortable; mattresses thin and I could feel the metal of the bed frame. One tiny cupboard for clothes as other full with brooms, highchairs etc. There appears to be pointless furniture in living room (small corner book case, unit near door), perhaps a tall unit would enable better storage. The living room furniture was also uncomfortable for more than a quick sit down. Luckily we were out and about a lot but it would have been nice to have returned to a proper sofa/comfortable chair. Electric went off whilst it was dark , whilst it is good that the coins are provided, trying to get around to find my phone for a torch to sort it out was a pain I think the meter needs removing . Reviews also said it was quiet but I didn't find it so. People passed the unit regularly and ball games happening right outside. This was a particular issue for us as my rescue dog is reactive to people passing and balls hitting the window. I wouldn't have minded as much otherwise..however if I'd have known I would have avoided booking this particular chalet and looked more closely at the site plan for one with on the end of a row with less passes by/footballs Whilst we knew in advance there was no WiFi, I think it would be good if there was. My brother booked another chalet on same site for less money and it was far better equipped with WiFi included. I know it is summer hols and everywhere expensive but it felt overpriced for what we got

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• Manivelan - Verified booking

  Amazing Location, Mesmerising Sea /Sunset view, Nice coastal waking path and beach.

  We, family of four have just returned from a week's holiday in this lovely Chalet. Nice and clean, Has everything you need for cooking, washing and cleaning. Hair dryer, Iron box and board, Nice Dyson cordless hoover. Lots of DVD movies and Nice Smart TV also with freeview channels. Really enjoyed watching the sea every day. Nice cafe and superb ice cream in the near by shop. You can walk along the coast or just walk to the beach or just sit in one those many benches and watch the sea and boats sailing. Asda express is just 10 minutes drive and drive few more minutes you will find restaurants/fish and chips. Drive a little more you will reach super store supermarkets. So it is well connected to nature and town centres. It is a private property and also Useful to know that the gates closes at 8:30 pm during summer (don't worry you will get your own keys on the first day to open the gates anytime you wish to drive out or drive in). On our first day We got struck in the traffic and were so stressed that we won't reach before the gates close since we thought the gates close at 7:30. We rang SykesCottages and the lady on the phone went extra mile to do all they can and finally arranged a call with the kind owner of this chalet. The owner contacted us and reassured that the property only closes at 8:30 and reassured that in worst case she would make arrangements for us to get the keys. I can't express how relieved we were after the phone calls from and the owner. My heartiest thanks to the lady who called us on 23/Aug/2024 late evening from Skykes Cottages team and the kind owner. when I woke up today in my house and went to the doors there is no lovely sea view to look I really miss the lovely place now. We will definitely return to this place next year.

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