“Inside is lovely and clean, outside area needs jetwashing or refurb, is quite grubby. Hot tub great but jet caps kept coming off. Some jets working, some not. Sofa has deep dips in it that can make it awkward to get comfy. Mattresses very firm, I have Fibromyalgia and suffered due to the firmness. Apart from these small negatives, it is a lovely cabin in a great location 😊”
“Absolutly brilliant just as advertised everything you would need is there from cooking to outdoor furniture the parking space was excelent I would definatly book again. Thank you”
“Lovely stay, as always. The only thing I'm disappointed with is that at the end of our stay we asked about lodge ownership and all our details were taken, but 2months later now we have heard nothing back. We've stayed at this location multiple times and it's just fabulous. Gorgeous views and perfectly calm and quiet.”
“Beautiful house with complete amenities! 1 star less than perfect due to mouldy washing machine and rusty hot water flask, and toilets which had some icky spots. (Spent an hour cleaning up the washing machine). Otherwise couldn't ask for more. The owner left a thoughtful handbook which came in useful.”
“Where do I even start?
We stayed here in September 2024 and had such a fantastic experience that we didn't hesitate to book again for July 2026. Unfortunately, what we walked into this time was completely unacceptable and bore little resemblance to the property we remembered.
The property was filthy on arrival. This was not a case of a missed cobweb or minor oversight. It was obvious that only a superficial clean had been carried out, if any meaningful cleaning had been done at all.
The kitchen was in an unacceptable condition. Dried food was stuck to the cupboard doors, food residue had been left in the sink and plughole, and used coffee pods were still sitting in the coffee machine from previous guests. The insides of the cupboards were filthy, with food remnants, grease and grime clearly visible on the shelves. The wall tiles around the kitchen were greasy and slimy to the touch. This was not the result of a missed spot during cleaning; it indicated a complete lack of proper housekeeping. The freezer needed defrosting and the grill machine only toasted on one side.
The stair carpets were covered in dog hair. The sofa was ripped in multiple places. The ensuite toilet seat was hanging off. The bathroom extractor fans were clogged with thick dust. There were spiders, dead insects and cobwebs throughout the property, indicating it had not been properly cleaned for some time. Most concerning of all was finding dried blood on the bedsheets.
The maintenance issues were just as disappointing. The outdoor lights didn't work, the heating in the 10-person pod didn't work, the pedestrian gate was damaged and hanging off its hinges, and there were insufficient towels provided for the number of guests booked.
Outside, dog waste was scattered around the grounds and we ended up picking it up ourselves. Paying premium accommodation prices only to clear up someone else's dog mess is not my idea of a holiday.
This trip was particularly important to our family. We were travelling with our newborn twins and an elderly relative who had recently lost her husband. The holiday had been planned for months and was supposed to be an opportunity for the family to spend quality time together. Instead, we spent part of our stay documenting problems and raising complaints.
What happened next was arguably worse than the condition of the property itself.
I reported the issues to Sykes, who passed the complaint to the owner. Rather than acknowledging any of the problems, the owner attempted to shift the blame onto us, claiming we had left the property in an unacceptable state and generously offered to "waive" the cleaning fee. Considering the condition of the property when we arrived, that suggestion was astonishing.
Fortunately, I had the foresight to take extensive photographs throughout our stay, along with a full departure video. Those images clearly show that we left the property significantly cleaner than we found it.
We were then accused of moving heavy furniture, allowing our dog to roam freely and leaving bin bags behind. These claims were surprising and, when I challenged them and asked for evidence, none was provided. At no stage was any evidence produced that contradicted the photographs, videos and written evidence I had supplied.
The alleged damage then appeared to change, with a later suggestion that our dog had scratched a door. Again, no evidence was provided to support the accusation.
What is most disappointing is the complete lack of accountability. The response from the owner was to deny, deflect and blame rather than address the genuine concerns that had been raised. Being told that someone could return and clean the property while we were already staying there completely misses the point. Guests should arrive to find a clean, safe and well-maintained property, not have to complain in order to receive the standard they have already paid for.
The difference between our 2024 stay and our 2026 stay is staggering. Standards have clearly fallen off a cliff. The property is no longer being maintained to an acceptable standard, and the way legitimate concerns were handled was every bit as disappointing as the issues themselves.
Sykes were equally frustrating. They are more than happy to take your money, advertise the property and manage the booking process, but when serious issues arise they appear very quick to distance themselves and point to the owner.
I have extensive photographic and video evidence supporting every issue outlined in this review. Based on our experience, I would not return, and I would strongly encourage anyone considering booking this property to read the negative reviews carefully before parting with their money.”
“This is our 3rd visit to West Reins and still want more time here. Helen & Richard’s warm inviting property is the perfect stay cation, well equipped everything you need plus the welcome basket are an extra bonus.
A great base for the counties many attractions Raby Castle, Bows Museum, take a walk round Barnard Castle for independent shops, heads to the falls high & low force. Sit back on the patio watch a sunset, the clouds roll by, rabbits in the field lambs in spring. We leave feeling refreshed & relaxed. Idyllic what more can I say 5 stars”
“Really enjoyed staying in the stapley pod. Amazing views, very welcoming with little treats.
Very relaxing and peaceful break away, will book again for sure!”
“We had a lovely stay at Blossom's Cottage. The owners Mike and Sharon were amazing and nothing was too much trouble.
If we are in the area again we would not hesitate to stay here. Our daughter loved the facilities that were avaliable to her. Location was lovely.”
“The chalets was fabulous, had everything that we needed and comfortable. The view sitting having morning cup of tea was beautiful, especially when the cows and sheep where in the river. Well worth the visit.”
