“I have been very dsappointed in Sykes recently. It used to be a good and reliable company. Someone stepped in and introduced a communication system which seems designed to stop communication. It consists of no reply emails, a chat system which is slow, a phone system which is impossible to navigate and takes a long time to get through to a human being, a policy of not reading reviews of properties unless someone makes a complaint. It's all very unhelpful and discourteous. I did send an email to be forwarded to the chief executive. I don't know if it was forwarded but I did not get a response. I had one member of staff thinking a cottage in Scotland was in Wales, another inviting me to make a complaint about a cottage I had no complaints about. Another was helpful but had to go and get advice before she could email me on an email address I could reply to. I know from comments made that members of staff have passed on complaints about the no reply email system. I'm not likely to be using Sykes until I know it has improved. Please let me know when it has (on an email address I can reply to!)”
“Mariners Rest at Gorran Haven Cornwall has to be the best as far as we are concerned. Georgia was so helpful and obliging. During our stay 10th-217th January we had a power outage following the storm,’but Georgia was never phased supplying candles etc A delightful modern cottage in immaculate condition, very clean and well appointed.”
“Apart from the fact that Woolly End Cottage in Ambleside had not been cleaned when we arrived, and contrary to the information we received, it did not have a parking permit for outside the cottage, which resulted in a parking fine (both of which you compensated us for), the cottage itself left a lot to be desired.
It is supposed to accommodate 6 people. The lounge was barely big enough for 2 (4 would be a push) unless anyone wants to sit around the dining table all holiday.
The log stove did not work. There are such good ones on the market now, so there is no excuse. We brought logs with us from home, but there was no log basket - presumably because the owners know the fire won't work. There is not enough draft.
Having the only bathroom on the 3rd floor is not practical. Make the twin bedroom into a bathroom as there is plumbing already there, so there is one on each floor, and advertise the cottage for 4 people with 2 bathrooms. Much better and more sought after.
On the plus side, the kitchen was well-equipped and the dining room spacious. The Lake Lovers team in Ambleside was extremely helpful. However, we will not be returning,”
“We stayed at Eden Cottage and it was clean and tidy
However the noise from the bus depot facing the apartment was a definite downside it started at 5 30 AM
The drivers would park the buses outside the apartment and leave the engines revving! it was very annoying
Also there were security lights on all through the night shining into the bedrooms
Maybe blackout blinds should be fitted”
“We've just returned from Artists Cottage.
It's absolutely beautiful inside, very home from home, kitchen was absolutely spotless , lovely and clean and also such a lovely thought with a 'Welcome Pack; Milk, Wine and beautiful Biscuits.
The living room was lovely and cosy.
Bathroom with a large shower room, beautiful and clean.
Bedroom was lovely with a fantastic bed and mattress was fantastic had such a lovely night's sleep.
Overall it was central to Keswick and surrounding areas, lovely and quiet and such a lovely cottage.
We will be booking again”
“Reliable; properties that we have stayed in have been accurately described; we have received regular updates about all of our bookings. No problems at all with Sykes over the past 6 years. My only comment - it costs as much to stay for 3 or 4 days as it does for a week! Since we are retired, we always book a whole week because the pricing makes this a no-brainer, but our family can usually only stay for a weekend.”
“We have 9 holidays booked through Sykes this year and have been booking with them for years.
It is easy to use the website and the range of properties is extensive and we always find a good one.”
“Terrible. Never using Sykes again. There was a late problem with the property which meant it was unavailable. Was weather based so not the owners fault. Contacted Sykes to ask for help to refund the booking and book somewhere else. No response received and still waiting on the refund. Then owner of the property was great though but using Sykes? Never again”
“Lovely well equipped cottage. The owner was very supportative and kind. Local train was such an addition. Flat easy walks both directions from the village.”
“We had a great week at The Barn, it was clean and comfortable with amazing views. I would not however class the house as luxury accomodation. The beds were very small, the bedding old and economy, and some of the furniture was also tatty. The TVs were also old and there was no access to Netficks, Amazon Prime etc. The wine cooler didnt work. The games room was messy and again very old and out of date. Many DVDs and CDs were missing or just piled up out of their cases. The games were not really interesting and it was cold. The kitchen was fairly well equipped but the garlic press was broken, no rolling pin or salad servers.”
“We’ve had a great experience with Sykes Cottages.
Always helpful! Hosts are wonderful, any issues are generally resolved very quickly!
We’ve had many breakaways through Sykes and will continue to do so.”
“What a delightful cottage. It is well furnished, spacious and quiet. It was cold when we went but the central heating was very efficient and you don’t need the wood burning stoves unless you also enjoy the glow of the fire.
The lodge is at one of the entrances to Greystoke Castle so steeped in history. Definitely one of our very favourite cottages. Thank you”
“Absolutely horrendous trying to get through on the phone. Awful company. Not interested in complaints . Would never use again. Isabel Ballentine/Adams”
