Dog Friendly Ilfracombe Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Rachel - Verified booking

  From the photos it looked like a typical mass market holiday challet and we expected that it would be fine, clean and functional and perfectly adequate for a short break as a base to tour.

  When we arrived the site strongly marketed it as a luxury holiday home for a disabled person. That changed our expectations and left us feeling utterly annoyed as it was basic, not that well maintained, pretty impracactical and not in any way luxury and not suitable for a person with a disability except that it was on one level. However, when I re read Sykes' property description on my return home, it was accurate and had only given 3 stars which was fair. It was very attractively set in a private dip in the wooded valley. We enjoyed sitting out in the evening, alhtough it was next to an unmaintained area of weeds and deteriorating decking and damaged steps up to the lodge. The beds were comfortable and the bedding clean and fresh, the fabrics were nice in the unit and it was nice to be able to order food if we wanted it. Other than that it was not great. The kitchen provision was very basic and minimal, with a low powered microwave, cracked ceramic hob, feeble extractor and all quite cramped, especially the dining room table. The toilet was not pleasant being directly off the living room and facing the door and the floor got dirtly easily and was not cleanable. There were insufficinet surfaces to put toiletries on or have contact lens or toothbrushing facilities on hand, few places for 3 people to hang wet towels and the fittings were a bit rusty. There was one bin and no provision for recycling in the cabin. We only found out that there was recycling as we were leaving by which point it was too late. The guest information was not that usefull it was more of a marketing pack for luxury accommodation. It would have been helpful to have a sweeping brush to get rid of the sand inevitably picked up from being on the beach. My daughter got a splinter from playing in the playground as child friendly bark had not been used and the windows of a cabin running along the path opened out onto the path a head height of my daughter and a risk for passers by to walk into. My husband mislaid his keys and asked reception to lock the cabin for us whilst we were away that day. They said they would but forgot and it was unlocked when we returned at the end of the day. We also did not have hot water one of the days. It was definatley not quality - basic equipment, small TV's, cheap fittings, neglected bathroom, no wi-fi except a the bar etc and not for a disabled person who having wheeled themselves in would have to navigate oddly shaped carpet edges then would not be able to reach the pegs to hang their coat, no seating to use the shower and good luck with the WC! - not the welcome I would want if I were a wheelchair user. These comments are only applicable to the owner though as Sykes do not say that it is luxury and do not say it is for a disabled person.

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• S - Verified booking

  Accommodation was warm however that is about all I can say about it.

  Owner says it sleeps 2/4 people so we assumed we could have the bed and kids could sleep on the sofa bed, that didn't happen! My partner and both children slept in the bed and I tried to sleep on the cobbled street they said was a sofa bed. We ended up leaving a day early because 3 nights with no sleep was about enough for me. I did bring it up with the owner and was told no-one had complained before which isn't true. When we returned home I checked the reviews and someone else had mentioned it before which, in fairness had seen but the review had been commented on by the owner saying all issues had been resolved NOT TRUE. Access to the the garden was through a door with a padlock on and unless I asked we wouldn't have been told by the owner, it felt like they don't actually want you to use it but put it on their advert to make it sound like your getting more than you do. After not sleeping on the last night I took our dog for a walk at 5am and when I returned the door was locked and I couldn't access the Accommodation because you share the entrance with the owner which isn't pointed out on booking. After all is said the area is beautiful and well worth a visit, just find some other accommodation. Wouldn't stay again and definitely wouldn't recommend.

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• Theresa - Verified booking

  A lovely place to stay, with plenty to do.

  Having the private beach was a real bonus as no need to get in the car if planning a day at the beach. Our grandson enjoyed the play area and had lots of fun together with children from the other cottages. The cottage was as described, and yes small but adequate for us and our grandson. We struggled to sleep well due to the small double bed which I had read about in previous reviews but chose to ignore hoping this issue may have been addressed.The cottage is nicely decorated and fairly well equipped, the towels were lovely and soft and although small , the bed was comfy. Our dog was also well catered for, treats, poo bags and even a towel. The animals were very friendly ,well cared for and enjoyed being fed on a regular basis (food available from the shared utility room). We didn’t have a problem with the wi-fi or mobile signal as was previously mentioned in reviews. Staff very friendly and seldom seen so not intrusive in any way. The location is excellent, plenty of walking directly from the farm and a very short drive to Ilfracombe for supplies or day out etc. Also walking distance to local attractions and eateries. All in all a fabulous place to stay and highly recommend.

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• Mr Harris - Verified booking

  We booked for a week at Christmas, arriving Christmas eve at around 4.30pm. Sadly disappointed and left after 3 days. Management company unavailable. The positives: Great location, easy access, comfy bed, nice neighbours, easy parking outside (winter). Responsive owner. Sadly needs some renovation and remedial works. Very clever photography of the house. Bedroom very damp to the point of needing to run a dehumidifier constantly, so if you have any respiratory problems or just want a warm dry room to sleep in, this isn't the place for you. kitchen sadly lacking, not least a frozen fridge which took a good while to defrost and clean. Poorly equipped, not even a baking tray. Furniture very uncomfortable (old futon, plank style, upright, not even armrests that you could put cushions on as a sofa) so no cosy sofas as in description and two small upvc bucket chairs, good for children! We have been compensated via the complaints procedure ( half our money back) but feel its important that it is known that the property is currently under par but with a little more investment could be a great little find in Ilfracombe. We wish the owners well.

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• Robin - Verified booking

  The holiday was a little spoiled by some issues with the property.

  (1) The under kitchen sink waste failed…. It came apart without us knowing allowing a previously full washing up bowl of water to run straight on to the floor. (2) The main front door was very difficult to lock due to wear or bad adjustment. (3) Both kitchen taps were constantly dripping despite us trying to turn off. (4) The Fridge kept ‘gurgling’ which may have been due to considerable frost build up. (5) A single ‘slat’ was missing from the kitchen blind (found under water soaked kitchen sink unit). (6) The front door frame was not fully sealed to the weather elements as you could see ‘daylight’ above the door from inside the cabin. (7) Not enough information provided in the ‘Welcome Book’, regarding how to deal with emergencies or request help. Nothing was immediately obvious to myself, my wife or a neighbour from a neighbouring cabin. Due to the ‘plumbing failure’ on our last evening on-site, and the resulting clean up operation we had to undertake, we feel a written apology should be forthcoming from the owner as we had to telephone and cancel an evening meal we had booked in Ilfracombe.

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