Wiltshire Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Aleksandra - Verified booking

  If you want to have a relaxing break please do not book this property and not via Sykes cottages.

  We booked a 3 night stay and ended up staying only the 1 night. The mattress and bed we slept on were absolutely appalling. Might as well have slept on the floor. The mattress about 2 inches deep sunk and you could feel each slat underneath. Neither myself or my partner got any sleep and we were absolutely exhausted the next day unable to go ahead with plans. We informed the host the next morning who advised they are not around to help and could try to get a mattress topper for our 3rd and final night. Mattress topper would not have made a difference especially after people have been unable to get any sleep for 2 nights. We politely advised that we are leaving the property after that initial first night, left it clean condition and had to book a comfortable bed in a hotel nearby. The last thing anyone wants is to go away for 3 nights rest and have to pack up and leave again after 1 night in search for a good night sleep. Our old dog who came along also didn't appreciate being moved about... When we asked the owner for a refund for the 2 nights which we didn't use her property for, she didn't even respond. The next day we had a template email from Sykes cottages advising that our case is closed and there will be no refund offered. Closed?! You didn't even contact us to see what the issue us. We then had to get in touch with them whilst still on our holiday to explain our side of the story which we would have thought they would ask for in the first place. Absolutely pointless. The lady on the phone was lovely and admitted that the property owner did not offer them the full story. According to the owner she offered to help us and we refused. NO! She offered to help only for the 3 and final night for which we were not prepared to stay. Sykes cottages obviously take the owners side without even checking with the guests and listening to their comments/complaints. Again the next day a template email arrived from Sykes cottages saying the owner offers no compensation. Who needs all this stress when they try to go away for 3 nights and relax?! Luckily we paid by credit card and have raised a chargeback case. Advice to the owner: IF YOU ARE LETTING YOUR BARN, BE PROUD OF YOUR PROPERTY,BUY A DECENT MATTRESS SO YOUR GUESTS CAN REST AND TREAT YOUR GUESTS WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE. Advice to Sykes cottages: MAKE SURE YOU HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THE COMPLAINT BEFORE MAKING A DECISION AND SHOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMER WHO IS BOOKING THE PROPERTY NOT JUST SIDE WITH YOUR HOST.

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• Andrew - Verified booking

  I contacted Sykes for some clarification about facilities in the kitchen and never received a reply.

  Overall my experience of Sykes Customer Service was a poor one. The property was pleasant enough but was not entirely as shown in the photographs or as described in the listing. Overall, the experience left us feeling that a bit more effort could be made to make the customer feel welcome & comfortable. When we stayed, cushions were missing from the sofa (contrary to the picture in the listing). Also, a coffee machine was listed in the description of facilities (and was shown in the photos) but was not present. Overall, the property was presented very well (clean and tidy), but some aspects require attention. The over-bath shower set-up leaked (poor seal on the window-curtain). The washing machine leaked too. The oven was not secured/fitted properly, so it fell forward every time I opened it. Some of the flooring in the kitchen was raised/warped and a couple of panels slid underfoot - quite dangerous if carrying a hot pan. The fridge is very small for a family of four. I thought the kitchen was scantly equipped and we had to buy a couple of extra baking dishes (which we left for future guests to use). As I said above, a coffee machine was listed but was not present and the sofa was missing cushions so was very uncomfortable to sit on. Lighting in the lounge/dinner was restricted to ceiling lights and one up-light, all of which were a bit harsh for relaxing in the evening. The lounge area would benefit from some softer lighting options. The double bed was missing slats, instead it looked like it had been reinforced with hardboard - consequently, it was not as comfortable as it could have been. One of the wardrobe doors was a bit damaged, with a screw and magnetic plate regularly falling out. One of the hinges on the bedroom window was broken, making it difficult to open. The boiler stopped heating water, requiring a reset after a power-cut, but this issue was unresolved for around 9hrs after I reported it. When we returned after a day out to find the hot-water wasn't back on, I was told that getting it fixed had relied on a call to someone in the village who'd said they "might pop in" if they got time! Nothing was done to check whether this had happened. If the owners spent just a little money rectifying these niggly issues and put a little bit more effort into providing improved amenities & thoughtful touches for guest comfort, it could be a 5* rental.

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• Alan - Verified booking

  We stayed here for a week and the cottage is in a lovely little village well positioned for exploring the surrounding area.

  Be prepared for driving on some very small and narrow country roads. The downstairs living space is good although the kitchen is tired and the property would benefit from replacing some of the basic kitchen equipment e.g. baking trays, pans etc. The fridge is small for a family of four staying for a week. It was also disappointing that some of the kitchen cupboards and plates hadn’t been cleaned particularly given the covid climate we are living in. The laminate floors downstairs are also starting to warp in places. The private enclosed garden is a great feature of the property. Upstairs was fine although the master bedroom window didn’t open and close easily which wasn’t ideal in such hot weather. The owners live right next door and own the adjacent village shop. We bumped into them on arrival and they were very friendly. The immediate area outside the property is used to store the bins, park the owners and guests cars as well as access shop stores and gas canisters. It was a little unnerving each night to leave our car parked right beside the gas canisters. The owners inevitably need to access this area frequently and there was often noise right outside the property from early on each day. This wasn’t a huge problem for us as we are early risers but for those who like a lie in this could be disturbing. The property is fine and has potential to be excellent. It needs a little tlc in places and some improvements. Highlights of the stay were visiting Paultons Theme Park, Moors Valley in the New Forest (Gruffalo Trail) and the Dorset Heavy Horse Farm. The take away from the Lord Nelson just round the corner was delicious.

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• Lindsey - Verified booking

  Just got back from an idyllic week in Pops Barn.

  We did not want to leave. It was ideally situated just off the High Street but was quiet and felt secluded. The property was clean and the kitchen was well equipped with new pots and pans and had everything we needed. The bed was very comfortable and the property had a lovely homely feel. The shower was powerful and hot. The cottage style garden was a particular feature and we spend many hours relaxing in the loungers and eating out on the outside table. The cottage was perfectly situated just a few miles from the New Forest and Salisbury. We enjoyed some lovely walks with our 2 dogs in the surrounding villages. Downton is a pretty village with the river running through the high street in several places. There is a good sized Co-op with the very nice Borough cafe one side and a very friendly gourmet pub called The Goat on the other just a few minutes walk from the property. Both serving very good food. It is also close to the Spinnaker fish and chip shop which served excellent fish and chips and a few doors down from The Wooden Spoon pub which also served nice food. We visited a very nice pub in Woodgreen just a few minutes drive away and the food there was excellent. We would not hesitate to return to this property as there was so much we didn’t get time to do. The owners we very friendly and helpful and replied to messages whenever we had any queries. Could not find anything to fault.

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• Christine - Verified booking

  It is a nice place to stay for 1-2 people and a well behaved pet.

  All of the utilities were high quality in the property and clean, bed comfortable and shower perfect temperature. The owner proactively contacted me a couple of days before arrival and answered questions about parking. I had no problems parking right next to the property all week. There is a good chip shop twenty paces away, a pub which I didn't try but is recommended and is next door but one. The Co-op is walking distance, under 1km round trip and there is a petrol station in the town too. 9 miles from Salisbury, right next door to the new forest and easy access to places to visit. As mentioned in an earlier review by someone else, there is no wifi. I paid a little bit extra for a one off increase in data on my mobile and managed to tether it successfully in the property. The speed wouldn't work for gaming but I was successful in running videos for a course I am taking. Just use your USB charging lead and select "thether" in your mobile settings and you are there - keep an eye on the data used though as it can eat it up quickly.

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