“I have used Sykes for many years and have always been happy with the service, ease of use of the web site and assistance of I have ever needed assistance. A superb company which I will continue to make good use of.”
“An absolutely unacceptable experience with Sykes Holiday Cottages.
We booked a much-needed relaxing break following an extremely stressful week dealing with preparing a property for sale for our recently deceased parent.
Sykes’ website clearly advertised and accepted our chosen arrival dates. However, despite contacting them the previous afternoon, we were only informed at 15:52, just SEVEN MINUTES before our scheduled check-in, that Sykes had cancelled our booking because the property only accepted Saturday-to-Saturday arrivals.
We were already travelling to the property!
No advance warning, no alternative accommodation offered and no meaningful assistance. Just an apology for the inconvenience.
What makes this even worse is that the property owner confirmed this had happened before and that Sykes had previously promised to correct the booking restrictions on their website.
Thankfully, the owner, was absolutely fantastic. Despite her own work commitments, she went above and beyond to prepare the cottage, arrange access and ensure we could still enjoy our break. It was entirely down to her efforts, not Sykes, that our holiday was saved.
To add insult to injury, Sykes subsequently took payment from my Mastercard despite confirming the cancellation, and we then received a further email demanding payment!
We have been left chasing clarification about money already taken and whether further charges are being requested.
What should have been a peaceful break became a completely unnecessary source of stress, uncertainty and frustration.
I have retained screenshots of the booking availability, cancellation messages, payment records and correspondence with the owner.
Sykes needs to take responsibility for its booking-system failures, communicate properly with customers and ensure property owners aren’t left to resolve problems created by the agency.
Sarah deserves five stars for her exceptional customer service. Unfortunately, our experience with Sykes deserves just one.
Extremely disappointing.”
“The bookong process is easy and staff very helpful. We have been travelling with Sykes for over 7 years now and not really had any issues with the bookong or with the properties we have stayed in.”
“Laundry Cottage is really lovely - everything shiny and new, warm and comfortable, and we enjoyed our week there. If your pet has to be confined to the kitchen, however, I don't think it can be described as "dog-friendly".”
“Willoway was a perfect cottage for our family celebration. It really was home from home with lots of thoughtful touches, including comfy beds, and a well equipped kitchen. Close enough to the beach to walk in the evening with a lovely little coffee shop close by.
Loved watching the red squirrels in the garden too!
Great communication with the owner. We would visit again - highly recommended.”
“The property we were going to rent for a weekend away cancelled us at short notice. We found another one luckily and the Sykes admin team transferred the booking over smoothly and without drama. Thank you Sykes for saving our weekend.”
“The property's are well listed and the booking process is very easy to us
I have used them for the last 5 years and will highly recommend them
Steven”
“Beautiful house with great views.
Lounge was slightly small for 6 people and a large dog but everything else was great with lovely outdoor area for summer time.”
“This was such a lovely lodge in a quite and secluded area, ( there are only 3 lodges on site ). It was great to sit in the hot tub and just listen and watch the wild life.
The lodge was very well equipped to a high standard and offered a very comfortable stay.
we did have to contact the owner as a few things were disapointing.
It would have been nice to have had a welcome pack, there was no comments book or literature about the area or recomendations for places to visit.
It would have been nice to have had a hook in the bathrooms or bedrooms, and a shelf in the shower.
We had to report a broken toaster, shower, toilet seat, stool, and sink plug in main bathroom.
But apart from that it did not spoil our holiday we had a great time and found the location great for travling.”
“Clean, comfortable and well equipped as you might expect. The amazingly generous welcome pack prepared by Karen a bonus; but the outstandng feature of the Old Mission Hall is its location....surrounded by loch views from the conservatory, french doors of bedroom and outside decking (we sat outside even in October) with your own little hill overlooking an ancient broch, we really enjoyed our stay and so grateful to Kathleen that we were able to share this very special part of Lewis.”
“Appalling. Despite receiving booking confirmation emails and money taken I was phoned by Sykes the day before my three day stay which my kids were looking forward to by an unhelpful representative and told it was cancelled. I was so upset. Other than a refund they have offered nothing in compensation to reflect for my lost holiday. Do not use this company they do not care about their customers in the slightest. Avoid completely.”
“We were looking for a holiday cottage in Nortumberland. Found what looks like a nice dog friendly lodge in Otterburn with a dog friendly pub on the same site. The Sykes website is very easy to navigate.”
“We have been using Sykes since 2019 and find it easy to book properties. We have returned to several over the years. Unfortunately their reward scheme is not as good as it was so we are using Sykes as well as other cottage companies”
“Booking through Sykes is very straightforward and good fun going through all the lovely properties to stay at. We have enjoyed all the different properties and find the descriptions very useful. The prices are very competitive and we have no issues with Sykes at all. Looking forward to our next booking!”
“Imagine our disappointment on arrival to find the house and garden in an unloved state. The house location and space inside is great but the absence of a little TLC took the edge off our stay. Crockery and glasses are a complete mismash and the condition of the main bathroom shower is not what one would expect to find in a Sykes property.”
“Booking is fine.
But, if you need to get in touch per some concern.
I have a booking which does not appear in my account. I've tried to contact Sykes. The Help line is useless: they give you three questions to refer to all of which do not apply to your issue. No chance to write in your issue.
I finally got through on WhatsApp. After putting in data they asked for, I was told an agent would be in touch. That was yesterday lunchtime. Now almost 11 am the next day. No agent has been in touch.”
