Dog Friendly Cottages In Rutland

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Paul - Verified booking

  The property was clean and tidy, and pretty much as described, although, because of the tall trees close to the north-facing living room, it was hardly ”light and airy”.

  By today’s standards it was tired and in need of refurbishment. Freeview TV stations were unwatchable, and it was only possible to watch TV via online iPlayer on the BT Box. There were no instructions on how to use the TV. The small downstairs bedroom’s door latch was broken, meaning that someone could be trapped inside the room. There was no wall mounted soap or grab handles in the upstairs shower. The rug by the French windows probably needs replacing because it ruffled up easily and could become a trip hazard. Although there was signage, the outside paving is dangerous, and perhaps the loose paving bricks need lifting around the tree. There was a lack of large dishes and bowls for cooking purposes, especially for full occupancy of nine. (we were only five). The oven trays were too large for the oven. Proper detailed instructions are needed for the complicated induction hob, which proved impossible to operate without downloading the manufacturer’s instructions. There was a general paucity of cleaning materials and tea towels. There was no up to date information generally, especially the rubbish emptying schedule. We had to consult the local authority website, and the two recycling bins were completely full and had obviously not been emptied for some time. In spite of this long list, we enjoyed our stay, but we feel this could be a really first class holiday cottage with much more attention to detail. Small deficiencies do tend to spoil a visit. There seems to be inadequate close monitoring either by the owner or Sykes Cottages. The guest comments book and online feedback point out many of the above problems, which have not been attended to.

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• James - Verified booking

  Lovely place to stay with a private decking/patio area with hot tub, comfortable chairs and lounger.

  Perfect for good weather. Some concerns about fire safety .. there is an internal wood burner, a big fire pit on the wood decking (and what looked like another fire pit in the middle of a coffee table on the decking). The hot-tub is also wood-fire heated. With careful use these should be fine but it only takes a moment for a kid to become over-excited or a spark to land in the wrong place. I'd have liked to have seen a fire extinguisher in the kitchen at least. The lodge is really great inside - beautifully equipped. However, could we please have the instruction manuals for the dishwasher and air fryer? And could we have some oven gloves please? A visitor info pack would mean it'd not be necessary to explain the hot-tub use/buttons and could also include the Wifi password. The property is within close proximity of a rail track (Stamford to Oakham) - some may like to be made aware of that as trains (quite noisy) seem to be every 20 mins or so and run quite late into the night. The general description may need a bit of an update - the bath isn't P-shaped (so what?) and the 'communal freshwater dipping area' isn't actually a thing. Would recommend to those wanting a private and relaxing break as there's plenty to explore and do around Oakham and the Rutland Water area.

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• Nicky - Verified booking

  The tent is on a beautiful site, very peaceful, surrounded by woodland for walks. There are 6 tents I think, but all very well spaced out and you couldn't hear each other at all. There is a pond at the bottom of the garden, which is fenced off, but still has a steep drop, so keep an eye on smalls heading down there. The tent itself had a great fire pit, a picnic table (very handy), enough patio furniture for lots of people, and very comfy beds with lovely white bedding, and lots of fluffy blankets. The fire worked very well, the wood is plentiful and free, which makes a nice change, and we managed to cook sausages and bacon in the fire oven. Worth noting, there is also a double gas hob in the kitchen for boiling a kettle etc. The bathroom was great, the kitchen had everything required, and the honesty shop was perfect for when you have run out of things (or urgently need a Magnum). Plus it had outdoor stuff like cricket bats etc for kids to borrow, and board games etc. The best bit of it all though was that I emailed June, the site manageress, before we arrived, as it was my husband's 40th, and she decorated the tent with balloons and bunting and '40' balloons and even snuck in a hamper for him that I had sent down. Totally above and beyond. We will definitely be back.

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• Felicity - Verified booking

  On opening the door we were greeted by a note saying 'If you feel unwell go home' not very welcoming.

  We have booked with Sykes for several years and there has always been an excellent welcoming pack, nothing at the cottage except some packets. Last year in Lincolnshire we had a better welcome when Covid was rife.After a long hot drive we found no ice or facilities to make ice. Covid is no excuse, a bag of ice could be bought or ice bags.The salad tray in the fridge was broken. Outside the dog's water bowl was full of green slime. The door bell was broken. the bottom bedroom was decidedly scruffy, the carpet didn't seem to have been vaccumed. The mattress sagged.A king sized bed upstairs would have been nice. The T.V. was hopeless no reception just pixiling.For the price we paid we felt everything was a bit substandard. The cafetiere should be thrown out. There was enough of everything for us but we felt if 9 people were staying there they would have struggled.The hob on the stove was a bit of a nightmare. The garden needs some attention, it could be planted as a dry garden not needing any maintenance.There was a lack of tourist information.With a bit of love this could be a really special property. Great location, lovely village, good pub.We have always had good cottages with Sykes and given the price we paid we expected better.

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• Clive - Verified booking

  Bedrooms and bathrooms clean and airy, towels and linen very good Kitchen ...

  Bedrooms and bathrooms clean and airy, towels and linen very good Kitchen spacious and light but lacks essentials for 9 people such as drinking glasses, serving dishes, baking trays Games room quite dangerous as the step is the same colour as the floor so there is no demarcation, had to put a strip of tape at the edge of the step to make it safer to see Living room very gloomy especially with the dark furniture, almost depressing Dining table only seats 6 people, cannot seat 9 unless you move furniture from the kitchen, not very helpful Garden does not have any seating/eating facilities in good weather although the paved area looks as though it may have had a picnic bench at one time Only one key to property and front door is on a Yale latch so people cannot access front door from outside unless you leave the key in the Yale as the side door does not have a key access and is difficult to walk to because of very broken driveway Cottesmore is a lovely friendly village but the house is not as good as it could be with a little more attention to detail

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