Dog Friendly Kingswear Holiday Cottages

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Jill - Verified booking

  So sorry I can't give a good review.

  ..I can only give you an honest one. The only good thing about this place was that it was dog friendly and that you could park very near the chalet. Where to start. So we were there for two weeks with our dogs. There was no washing machine, so after a week or so we ended up having to lug dirty washing around until we found a launderette. No dishwasher, which wouldn't have been a big deal, but the hot water tap in the kitchen didn't do much more than trickle, took ages to heat up then suddenly it was scalding - I managed to burn myself a couple of times. The plastic washing up bowl in the sink was too small to be able to get a dinner plate flat inside, so you couldn't actually soak anything. The first or second evening the power cut out, so we had no light from early evening till the next morning. When the maintenance man came over, he didn't know why we had no power. Eventually he discovered that there was a coin meter which you had to keep feeding with a token to keep power on. He found out that this information was in the chalet handbook, but who reads that from cover to cover as soon as you arrive? There was a mini freezer, but it was full of ice (not cubes) and the door didn't close properly so it was useless. There were no mixer taps in kitchen/bathroom, just old fashioned one hot, one cold, so to wash your hands you had to put the plug in and run both before you got a usable temperature. There was only one key, so that was a bit inconvenient when there's two people who might want to be doing their own thing at times. Kitchen was sparsely equipped - cutlery was only four of each item so you were constantly getting up after main course to wash cutlery before you could eat pudding. Oh, the bed. Double bed was maybe a foot off the floor, and I don't mean the frame - that was to the top of the mattress. Matress was maybe 6 inches tops thick - when lying, you could feel every bar of the metal frame under you. Tiny bedroom - when walking round the bed, you were constantly banging your shins on the hard frame corners. I actually came away with bruises. The bedroom was from maybe the seventies - you had little cupboards either side of the bed with cupboards above that were hinged at the top, which the doors were starting to dangle. Generally, when you looked around, it was dated and somewhat tatty - scrapes along the walls where furniture had been moved or pushed against walls, that the paint hadn't been touched up, it had just been left. It felt like the owners/maintenance just didn't care. When we first walked in, I stood on the doormat and it shot across the floor leaving me on my back, and I have a spinal condition so I was in terrible pain for a couple of days. Doormat got immediately taken off the floor. One corner of the living area had a vacuum and various cleaning things leaning up against the wall - they couldn't have even put them out of sight? Needless to say, we won't be staying there again. I hate leaving negative reviews, but honestly, these are just the facts as to how we experienced our stay. Such a shame.

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• Maxine - Verified booking

  Overall we did enjoy the week in dartmouth However the chalet was disappointing and wasn't somewhere I looked forward to returning to each day.

  Cleanliness was inconsistent; the bathroom seemed clean and tidy. However there was a food wrapper under the double bed and a lot of dust. This is clearly an area that is missed.regularly There are also dust collectors under the bed which must make it difficult for the cleaner. I think one item is a foldaway chair but I didn't really want to touch it to pull it out. We also had to clean the handles of the kitchen units which were also dusty. The furniture was uncomfortable; mattresses thin and I could feel the metal of the bed frame. One tiny cupboard for clothes as other full with brooms, highchairs etc. There appears to be pointless furniture in living room (small corner book case, unit near door), perhaps a tall unit would enable better storage. The living room furniture was also uncomfortable for more than a quick sit down. Luckily we were out and about a lot but it would have been nice to have returned to a proper sofa/comfortable chair. Electric went off whilst it was dark , whilst it is good that the coins are provided, trying to get around to find my phone for a torch to sort it out was a pain I think the meter needs removing . Reviews also said it was quiet but I didn't find it so. People passed the unit regularly and ball games happening right outside. This was a particular issue for us as my rescue dog is reactive to people passing and balls hitting the window. I wouldn't have minded as much otherwise..however if I'd have known I would have avoided booking this particular chalet and looked more closely at the site plan for one with on the end of a row with less passes by/footballs Whilst we knew in advance there was no WiFi, I think it would be good if there was. My brother booked another chalet on same site for less money and it was far better equipped with WiFi included. I know it is summer hols and everywhere expensive but it felt overpriced for what we got

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• Matt - Verified booking

  Woodlands is a huge and beautiful period property, and a lovely house and location for a family or group gathering.

  The facilities are excellent with a very well equipped, if quite small for the size of the property (period again), kitchen. There are three comfortable, communal seating and dining areas, all of the many bedrooms and bathrooms/ensuites are large, comfortable, modern and well appointed, and the "chill" room was great for the kids. Immediately outdoors there's a roughly East facing (so morning sun only) colonial style covered veranda and a patio with a vast table & chairs and 2 BBQs, all with superb views over the surrounding countryside and down to Warfleet Creek. There are also extensive and well-maintained gardens, though with steep steps/paths down to access most of them. Also at the bottom of the garden is a newly laid large, flat-ish area of lawn, which couldn't be accessed at the time of our stay but would be good for kids when established. The house is a 15ish minute walk from the centre of delightful Dartmouth, although it's along a tight and rolling (if reasonably quiet) road with no footpath for the 200m closest to the house. It's a very picturesque and quiet 10 minute walk round to the castle & beaches and straight on to the stunning SW Coast Path. As mentioned in other reviews, there is a steep, tight drive up to the house, which might be a test for some drivers and/or the less mobile. We rarely saw the owners who live in an adjoining cottage, though they were very pleasant when we did, and assuming you're not planning a rave I wouldn't let this put you off in any way. In summary, it's hard to fault Woodlands and we thoroughly enjoyed our week living as Lords of the Manor!

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• Michelle - Verified booking

  The Chalet was basic.

  Lounge furniture very uncomfortable, what you expect for Conservative 2 sitter and 1 armchair. Hot water tap in the kitchen wasn’t hot enough for washing your pots. The hot water came out hot for 30 seconds then was running lukewarm so had to boil the kettle for hot water. Pans cooking trays were still greasy from previous holiday makers. Main bedroom had no storage for hanging clothes as was filled with cleaning stuff ( Vacuum, steam mob, brush, camping folding chairs. Bed seemed like a put up double bed with mattress on top. Very uncomfortable not good if you’re staying a week or more. I couldn’t believe how far better was the second children’s bedroom. 2 proper single pine framed beds with tall boy grey wardrobe and matching bedside table also a large mirror on the wall. So ladies to dry your hair you would have to use this bedroom as the main bedroom hasn’t a mirror. The positive side that we stayed a week over Easter and was very cheap for an Easter break, we only payed £360 so I suppose you get what you pay for. Norton park is in a very good position, sainsburys and Lidels just a 2 minute drive down the road. Dartmouth few more minutes away so very handy and of course some beautiful beaches just a short drive away. If you’re on a cheap budget then I would say if you don’t mind the negative things I mentioned then the chalet is ok if you have young children and dogs.

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• Rachel - Verified booking

  I was very nervous about booking this property as it clearly stated that it’s not suitable for those who are mobility impaired.

  5/7 of us fell into that category. Fortunately, it’s possible to drive up and unload directly outside the house which was a game changer. The most able of us enjoyed the top two bedrooms. The others were able to manage the stairs to the other 4 rooms. Each of which has a view to the river. Everyone was able to get to the veranda even though most are in their mid 80’s. The house is gorgeous, and even the piano is in tune. It’s extremely well equipped, although the Aga was a bit of a challenge as there are no temperature dials on the oven. Still, magnificent meals were prepared, and I enjoyed ringing the dinner bell. Alas, there is a road collapse, so vehicle access to town is via the long way. We coped, and it’s not a bad walk for people into their 60’s. For the more elderly, we drove them down to the road closed sign. My cousin did have slight difficulty driving his people mover up the steep driveway when it was wet. However, I had no problem in my mid sized, but powerful car. Grocery shopping is very handy. Lovely walk to the castle. During dinner one evening, we enjoyed watching deer bound up the opposite hill. The garden is gorgeous. Everything is well maintained. It was a real treat to stay in such a historic home, that has been clearly loved for almost 225 years.

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