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.

  Read more less >

• Jacky - Verified booking

  Having read previous reviews, we went prepared for a few minor issues (there's now a storage container in the walk in shower :) ) - but actually, any issues were very minor indeed.

  Yes, the balcony is a bit mucky - but it has been cleaned recently and short of house training the seagulls, there's not much you can do. It can get a bit windy out there so the doors do need the hooks repairing, but propping them open with the chairs worked fine. The shower over the bath does need attention - it's fine as long as you like a hot shower, but the temperature control needs fixing. I used it every day though as that bathroom was so spacious and the other one was very small. I'd have preferred the TV from the mezzanine in the bedroom - but then we didn't have kids with us! That's it - nothing worth mentioning really, except I wanted to update previous reviews. So now to the positives! The view! Breath taking! The photos don't do it justice. I could have just sat and watched the changing colours for the whole week! We put the table just inside the doors to eat - beat any view from a restaurant in town. The flat is well fitted out - clean and everything we could possibly need, including some tea and coffee etc to get us started and even a pair of binoculars and some games. The fan was very welcome as we had a hot week and it was nice to have plenty of coat hangers for a change (I always over pack!).The instructions were all there - but we didn't need them. The location was perfect - literally a 2 minute walk from the harbour and right on the coastal path. There were plenty of shops on the high street - about a 15 minute walk but be prepared for the hills - or stop off at Tesco's on your way into Ilfracombe. There are LOADS of amazing restaurants - everything from Michelin to fish and chips - BUT - most were fully booked up for weeks to come. Book well in advance. We did eat at The Smugglers on the harbour as they weren't taking bookings - we queued at 4pm when they opened but you go on a waiting list and they would call when a table was available - usually about an hour. Well worth the wait. There's also a Wetherspoons 5 minutes away and a Maddy's chippy, virtually outside, is not to be missed. We did the 2.5hr boat trip - fantastic afternoon. On our last day, we got a taxi to the car park for £6 - saved a lot of hassle. All in all a fab week - we'd definitely go back. Beautiful place and a lovely apartment. I'm already missing that view!!! Thank you to the owners for a very special holiday!

  Read more less >

• Kate - Verified booking

  I’ve been renting holiday cottages in North Devon for the last decade, and this property sits firmly in my top three!

  The location is just perfect, only a couple of minutes to the (dog-friendly) beach and the town centre. Combe Martin itself is a great base location generally, but the proximity to the beach really makes this property stand out. The house had everything we needed to ensure a comfortable stay. The stairs are a little difficult to navigate (as someone with mobility problems) but this was made clear within the listing. The cream tea on arrival was really welcomed - some milk would have been nice so we could have brewed up on arrival. The addition of a dressing table would be great as I found it difficult to dry my hair, having to move one of the bedside tables to be able to sit on the floor near an outlet and mirror. The lack of an enclosed area for the dog was the only draw back we could find; Newberry Beach is just across the road and is dog friendly all year round so this was exceptionally convenient for us, though having to get shoes on, leash up the dog, and then walk him up and down the street outside for his final toilet break before bed was a little frustrating, it would be nice to just be able to open the door and let him outside as we do at home. We did also find ourselves having to pick up a fair amount of cat faeces from the front gravelled area, though there’s really very little that could be done to prevent this it’s maybe something the owner should be aware of as we did worry that it would be assumed that any we didn’t manage to get would be attributed to our dog. I’m unable to really pass comment on the cooking facilities as we ate out every evening, but at a glance it appeared as though everything needed to prepare meals was available. We had a fantastic week and this property and it’s location really contributed to that. Despite the slight niggle with the lack of enclosed outdoor space, we’re already looking at booking again for next year - and we have never re-booked a holiday let before! Thank you so much.

  Read more less >

• Susan - Verified booking

  Arrived at 5.

  30pm almost dark. Lot of people milling around as nighttime Halloween event being held. Signage to apartment at back of castle very poor and we were ‘rescued’ by helpful and friendly electrician, Parking requested at front because of event. Immediate poor reaction on entry as straight into living area dull and smelly. A request the following morning for new extractor filter (filthy) and lightbulb was fairly promptly dealt with. Carpet seemed grubby and place somewhat dusty. Table and chairs need replacing. Seating comfortable if old fashioned. Bathrooms clean and appeared to be recently refurbished and decorated. Good showers and plenty of hot water. Bedrooms OK ish and bed and bedding very comfortable. Lighting everywhere poor. Entrance area scruffy and outlook depressing - bins and parking area. Having a ground floor good for access for dog though but no nearby grassy areas. Welcome supplies appreciated and OK kitchen area well stocked with china etc. dishwasher would be good ? We enjoyed the castle and Halloween event and loved the local area but felt disappointed with the overall condition and location of the apartment - it was depressing. Whilst we understand trying to maintain the character of the building this space is, we believe, in need of an update and we did not feel we had value for the money. I would like to have seen the other apartments for comparison but disappointingly we were not impressed with ours.

  Read more less >

• Jonathan - Verified booking

  We had a great week at 10 Oceanside.

  What a wonderful apartment. The main attribute is the balcony and the wonderful ever changing view. We had to give it a sweep when we arrived ( there are a lot of seagulls) but it was a fantastic place to watch the boats etc. We loved it. There are some poor reviews on here so we were a bit concerned about the apartment but shouldn’t have been. I think some of the criticisms are overly picky and people just need to chill and enjoy their holiday and this lovely apartment. The bedrooms are lovely and spacious and there is a futon on the mezzanine so my daughter slept up there and loved it. The overall experience was great and we’ll definitely be back. Any small issues we had were dealt with expertly and quickly by Richard at Sandpiper who was brilliant. Some instructions have been removed due to COVID so be aware that the bottom oven only works if the time is set ( press and hold the 2nd two buttons from the left and adjust with + & - on the right, or Google it as we did). There is a switch for the dishwasher socket hidden behind the coffee maker ( we rang Sandpiper as we thought it didn’t work)… We bought a parking permit online in advance but we’re able to load and unload outside. Anyway, if you are booked in at 10 Oceanside you’re very lucky. You’ll love it.

  Read more less >