Villas In Whitby

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Mr Robert Mackenzie - Verified booking

  Our overall impression was that not enough care went into preparing the property for our arrival. The temperature was 10C in the unit when we arrived and it took us quite a while to understand how to operate the central heating. Once we had figured it out, we managed to maintain a comfortable temperature for the rest of our stay, however we really felt that someone could have turned the heat on for our arrival. There were umpteen reminders not to check in before 4pm, but the heat could actually have been programmed to turn on at that time. The property was spotlessly clean except for utensils that had been put away in the cutlery drawer, the bed (we only used one) very comfortable, excellent, even outstanding shower pressure, incredible views, modern appliances, electrical outlets absolutely everywhere, many, many positives. Negatives: It really felt like nobody had bothered to properly check the place before we arrived. There was a pint of milk in the fridge and a packet of biscuits on the counter, a few single-serve packets of instant coffee, packetss of sugar and two teapot-sized tea bags. However, the teapot was found stashed (hidden?) in the back of a cupboard and was missing the lid. I actually spoke to Carol the owner halfway through our week long stay and mentioned this to her, thinking a lid (or new teapot) would be delivered, but none appeared. The kitchen was mostly equipped for 6 people but there were only 5 dinner plates and 5 coffee/tea mugs. I had to rewash the cutlery that had been put away in the cutlery drawer as it wasn't clean at all. There was no washing up liquid for washing anything in the sink and a completely empty bottle of cleaning spray in the cupboard under the kitchen sink. There was a bottle of liquid hand soap in only one of the two bathrooms. The loo rolls were just put on top of the toilet tanks, there were no roll holders/hangers, which we found rather strange. Our suggestion would be to add bedside rugs and televisions in the bedrooms. Also, the only rug in the apartment, found in the living room, would have greatly benefited from having a carpet sweeper in the apartment. Our overall impression was that it is a wonderful apartment but more care should be put into preparing for guests arrival. One packet of biscuits and a pint of milk in a very cold apartment isn't exactly what we would call a "welcome pack".

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• Angela - Verified booking

  The location of the property is fantastic, and the promise of off road parking was a big incentive.

  The apartments are finished to a very high specification and Helen provided lots of pre visit information and recommendations. The Evening Star is much smaller than other apartments that are priced the same so we expected them to be the same, however in reality the living space is very small and dark, we are tall and barely fitted in the double beds, especially in room two when there is no room at the end of the bed for long legs. The apartment is on the ground level as you walk into the building but in reality it is in the roof of the Shed, thus the windows are all below shoulder level, so you have to bend well down to look out and there is thick frames and heavy black Iron grating, giving the impression of a prison cell, so although we could technically see the abbey and the river, it was only if we knelt on the floor. Also the 2nd bedroom is so small that you can’t walk round the bed, so the person sleeping next to the window (approx 6 feet from the 6.30am train on the track right next to it) has to climb over their partner for any night time bathroom visit. There needs to be some sort of procedure, perhaps a locking pole at the end of each parking spot, with a key for each flat as it was clear that some people used more than their one space allocation, we were not the only couple who had to park on the road, despite paying for this premium Property on a promise of off road parking. We would definitely stay at the Engine shed again, but definitely not in the Evening star if it stays the same price as the bigger apartments.

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• Teresa - Verified booking

  ‘What a View’ is a wonderful apartment in a perfect location with fabulous view.

  It was ‘dressed’ for Christmas, which was tastefully done without being overboard. The apartment was bright and clean and as always very well equipped. A great addition was WiFi and a TV in the bedroom. The only issue were the grubby cups & glasses and a used wet bath towel we found hung on the back of the bathroom door. Things that shouldn’t really have been missed by the cleaners and let the owner’s property down. Getting in through the building entrance door was tricky as the key was old and the bolt was a poor fit in the lock, however we managed it. Unfortunately, the following evening upon leaving the building and locking the door as required, our key broke in the lock, effectively locking us (and anyone else who had already left) out of the building. We immediately contacted Sykes Cottages and explained our predicament. I have nothing but praise about how we were treated. Staff were empathetic and efficient in trying to resolve the problem; contacting the owner and even looking into booking us a hotel for the night. They kept in contact, checking in on our well-being and progress. With such excellent customer service, we will continue to use Sykes. In the end after managing to gain entry, we took the lock off the door; a locksmith arrived the next morning, refit the old lock and provided us with his spare key for the building and we continued with our holiday.

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• Andrew - Verified booking

  We love staying in this apartment.

  It is bright, welcoming and clean. We have stayed many times because it is cosy, central and has great views. It is very well maintained by the owner and has everything you would need for a holiday. They should be proud. One small criticism would be a bigger/comfy sofa. Maybe we’re getting older but we really felt it this year. The main issue is, with whoever is tasked to clean it. They let down the property by not being thorough, during change over. Guests are asked to wash and tidy everything away before leaving. However, as was with the past couple of years the dishes, glasses and pans in the cupboards are not checked for cleanliness. The glasses were greasy, on some of the plates, there was dried on food and also burnt on food in some pans. We therefore, had to wash them all before use. The extractor fan was also covered in grease and as much as we wanted to clean it; we didn’t want to risk standing on the furniture. The area between the cooker and work top was filled with crumbs and seeds and had not been brushed or cleaned out. We also found a dirty bath towel in the bathroom. This is unacceptable, as in the past we’ve found dirty clothes left from previous occupiers in the bathroom. As we stated previously, we love this apartment and hope these issues are addressed, so we can continue to return.

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• Jane - Verified booking

  The location was great and the cottage very quirky but not suitable for dogs at all.

  There is no garden and no grassed area so wherever the dog needs to relieve its self outside the cottage can only be next to someone else's property or down the steps to the cobbled shopping areas. The lounge is on the second floor and the steps are too steep and difficult for dogs. Most owners have the dogs with them in the lounge, they dont leave them on their own on another floor. The furnishings were very old, tired and uncomfortable. The easily accessible drawers to put clothes in the bedroom were full of towels and bedding for the cottage and the other small drawers difficult to get to.The shower was pretty much useless, over the bath with no shower rail. The parking permit is pretty useless as its for a parking area much further away from the central car park in town, which in itself is quite some distance across town to carry luggage, with a dog and our grandchild. No complementary condiments to give the lovely welcome most cottage do. No black bag for the bin, no spare toilet roll. The cottage feels like the owners cant be bothered putting in that special effort to make a nice welcome for guests but still are charging a high price.We will never stay there again and wont recommend to our friends.

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