Kidsty Cottage | Shap | Brackenber Lo | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.3★

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

47 Customer Review(s)

Annie
November 2024

“Thank you for such a lovely stay at Kidsty cottage, it was a fab base for exploring the Lake District and wider afield.”

The cottage was warm and clean and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It was the perfect size for the 2 of us plus dog, lovely comfy bed with nice quality bed linen meant we slept amazingly. Shower was fab, kitchen was also very clean and had all equipment you might need. A few minor things missing (no coffee, blue bags, minimal kindling) but this in no way took away from our enjoyment of the holiday, we 100% would stay again.

The cottage was warm and clean and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! It was the perfect size for the 2 of us plus dog, lovely comfy bed with nice quality bed linen meant we slept amazingly. Shower was fab, kitchen was also very clean and had all equipment you might need. A few minor things missing (no coffee, blue bags, minimal kindling) but this in no way took away from our enjoyment of the holiday, we 100% would stay again.

- Annie, November 2024
Claire October 2024

“Stay No 4 :).”

its so lovely. The only issue we have had is the ongoing one with the lack of blue council bin bags being left by the binmen. We had to go to the council offices in Penrith to get bags. The lady at reception advised that the owner needs to contact them to ensure bags are left each week. We watched the bin men collect the rubbish and leave bags for every property except Kidsty. Apparently there was an issue some weeks back where rubbish was left out and not collected because it wasn't in an official blue bag. Hopefully things will be resolved when we come back again in March :)

- Claire, October 2024
Phillippa September 2024

“Lovely little cottage, just right for the 2 of us and an excellent base to explore the lakes.”

Were lucky with the weather too.

- Phillippa, September 2024
Claire August 2024

“3rd visit, so its definitely a home away from home.”

:) as usual, clean, tidy and just cosy. like the new sofa! The only negatives are that: the bed is way too hard for me, but i appreciate others will like it. another lamp is needed by the dining table and the blue council issued bin bags would be good. we had to use black bin liners. other than that, it was beautiful and relaxing as usual. Getting to know the locals too as we've visited so often now.

- Claire, August 2024
Danielle July 2024

“Having previously owned and ran a 5* Airbnb property for five years we were disappointed when we arrived at Kidsty Cottage.”

The oven shelves were filthy so we didn't use. There was a used kitchen scrubber and blue cloth left which we had to throw away and buy new. We were unable to use log burner as no protective glove, no fire lighters, matches or wood to start off fire only logs! There was no hairdryer. A small pint of milk would have been nice for a cup of tea on arrival. We thought it was wrong that we had to take our recycling to bins along the road especially when we were leaving in opposite direction. The only positive was the bed was comfortable.

- Danielle, July 2024
Joan June 2024

“The cottage is beautiful with a superbly comfortable bed!”

The shower room is quite compact so after using the shower, we dried ourselves in the 2nd upstairs room. The kitchen was adequate but would benefit from better cutlery and I didn't use the oven because it really was in need of a clean. We really enjoyed our stay there and would recommend others to do so too.

- Joan, June 2024
James April 2024

“Hiya the cottage was lovely and location was exactly what we were after.”

The only thing I would say is when we arrived we had to clean all the cutlery as it had been done properly and the rug in the lounge is just covered in dog hairs so much so you couldn't really walk barefoot or put any on the floor as it wouldn't get covered in white hair. But apart from those minor things the stay was wonderful and would definitely recommend it to others

- James, April 2024
Robert April 2024

“Had a great time at Kidsty Cottage.”

Lovely comfortable bedroom, living room and log stove were great for chilly evenings. Kitchen had enough for us to cook just about anything. Shower/toilet was small but ok for a few days. The spare room could be better utilised for a bigger bathroom or extra bedroom but that’s just a minor comment. Overall it was great!

- Robert, April 2024
Rebekah April 2024

“We had a wonderful stay.”

It's a very comfortable and beautiful cottage, we really enjoyed being there.

- Rebekah, April 2024
Neil March 2024

“A wonderful cottage as a base to explore the whole of the lake district, but especially the northern lakes, fells and countryside.”

It's a small comfortable cottage with all the amenities needed except WiFi, which for us was fine. Free parking and an extremely comfortable bed, after spending days out hiking and experiencing the beautiful lake district. We stayed for four nights and spent a couple of evenings in the three main hostelries, eating and having a couple of pints. Top tip, visit Buttermere and enjoy a circular walk around the entire lake. It's roughly a 4.5 mile walk, so take a drink. We had lunch after the walk at Syke farm cafe. Would definitely stay at Kidsty cottage in Shap again.

- Neil, March 2024
Claire March 2024

“Hello again, I told you I'd be back!”

:) this was our second stay at Kidsty (it's starting to feel like our second home). As usual the fire was lovely. didn't do much but relax following a bereavement in the family the week before. Its a very soothing place. All I'd suggest to make it even better is; a bin in the bathroom and maybe turning the spare room into a proper bedroom. Oh and some throws for the sofa. Otherwise, its perfect for us. (we're back again in August (my first grandchild is due then) and then again in October) see you then.

- Claire, March 2024
Aimee February 2024

“Lovely small, cosy cottage.”

Very clean but furniture (especially settees) could do with being updated. Loved the fire which made the winter evenings very cosy. Great location for exploring the lake district nearby, lots of great walks straight from the cottage and closeby to Windermere. We tried the few pubs and chippy in the village which were a great help after a long days walk. Would stay here again.

- Aimee, February 2024
Kevin February 2024

“Nice cottage,nice village”

- Kevin, February 2024
Jill January 2024

“Lovely cottage nice and comfortable.”

Owner even checked we were ok as 2 huge storms hit when we were there. Can not fault the cottage we will definitely be back

- Jill, January 2024
Dorothy December 2023

“We had a very comfortable and cosy stay at your cottage.”

The log burner was fantastic but in all honesty we didn’t really need to put it on, the radiators that were on timer kept the whole cottage warm. The feedback I could suggest and this is not a criticism was there was no outside bucket for rubbish, when going away we left black bin-liner of rubbish outside of back door. Dorothy.

- Dorothy, December 2023
Janice October 2023

“Kidsty cottage is perfect for visiting North Yorkshire and Cumbria.”

It was clean, cosy and warm without lighting the wood burner and we would have no hesitation in staying there again. It’s obviously a very old building and a note of its history would have been nice. Just a small point is that it would have been good to having a few more drinking glasses. We had to buy a couple for our water!

- Janice, October 2023
Claire October 2023

“Well, after reading previous reviews, I was a bit apprehensive.”

Didn't need to worry as the cottage was clean and tidy on our arrival. Furniture was perfect for a holiday let. Bed was hard but then I'm like the princess and the pea where beds are concerned. Duvet was soo cosy too. The icing on the cake though was the log burner. It added to the cosiness of the cottage. Booking for march as we speak.

- Claire, October 2023
Maurice September 2023

“Lovely cottage, ideal for a couple and a dog.”

Very comfortable, we enjoyed our stay

- Maurice, September 2023
Mandy September 2023

“This is the fourth time we have booked through Sykes and we have never been disappointed in the past.”

However, the Kidsty Cottage was disappointing from the point of view that it could have benefited from some TLC. Whilst the cottage was clean, it was 'tired' in places: As we entered the cottage, there was a pile of post for the owner; the furniture in the lounge/diner appeared to have been purchased from a charity shop - which in itself is not an issue - however more thought should have been taken when purchasing the furniture; the parking space to the rear of the property (yard) was full of weeds and overgrown grass. This was all probably reflected in the price. We shall continue to holiday with Sykes however.as we have never been disappointed in the past.

- Mandy, September 2023
Amanda August 2023

“I contacted the owner as the walls in the bedroom were damp from rain,so probably problems with roof,the hover was battered and broken,we had to remove plug from shower as water was rising and the muck and hair we removed was unbelievable,it solved the problem,cleaning wise was bad,cooker trays full of grease,toaster full of crumbs.”

The main road was noisy.But not very well maintained.If it was my cottage I'd be looking for a better cleaner.She also left washing to be done in washing machine,towels and bath mat.washing was left hanging in spare room to,drying,I hung it out to dry as it was smelling damp.Would not go again.sorry

- Amanda, August 2023
Verity August 2023

“Had a great stay at Kidsty Cottage, great location, everything you need is in the cottage.”

Walking distance to shops and pubs and close to the motorway.

- Verity, August 2023
Veronika July 2023

“A really lovely cottage to stay in for our summer break.”

Location is great and there are many local walks you can do without having to get in the car. When you do want to go in the car it’s easy to get to most of the Lake District. Bed was comfy. Shower is nice and hot (though there was a slight issue with the pump when we stayed but we got instructions promptly on the workaround). Kitchen is fantastic; good enough to cook a roast in so definitely fully stocked equipment wise. The main improvement I would recommend is a second standing lamp by the utility cupboard. The main lights are very bright and not conducive for a movie night snuggled on the sofa. The existing lamp could use a friend to help add a bit of ambiance.

- Veronika, July 2023
Grahame June 2023

“Cottage adequate for short stay, would help visitors if there was a name plate at the rear of the property, door at front of property needs lock changed unable to lock it.”

comfy bed and good location would stay again.

- Grahame, June 2023
Lorraine June 2023

“The cottage was fine and location good but a few little points need pointing out .”

We thought it a bit mean that only a tiny bit of toilet roll in bathroom most places leave a full roll for arrival also no sanitary bin in toilet . Not a very good selection of glasses in kitchen and setee very hard to get up from also found an old packet of part eaten chocolate mini rolls wedged behind cushion. So cleaning not very thorough.

- Lorraine, June 2023
Elaine May 2023

“Bathroom was a little bit too small although modern would have been better situated upstairs”

- Elaine, May 2023
Joan April 2023

“First impression was the kitchen with2 washing up bowls with dirty sponge and brush in, the second bowl to be used as a drainer which is strange!”

There is a limited choice of glasses. We found it rather odd for the cottage to have laundry appliances but no iron or ironing board.! Also this is the first place in years of holidaying that did not have a hair dryer available. The shower room is really tight even for me being 5ft 1in, so we couldn’t recommend this cottage to friends whom are taller or broader! However, this little cottage is in a great location .

- Joan, April 2023
Malcolm March 2023

“The property had electric radiators that did not have a timed facility that meant waking up to a very cold house each morning.”

After switching on the radiators, it took quite a while for it to become comfortably warm.

- Malcolm, March 2023
Beverley February 2023

“We enjoyed our stay at Kidsty cottage, comfy and cosy, we lit the wood burner a few evenings when we'd been out for long walks which was lovely, we found everything we needed in the kitchen although the handle on the scissors were broken, small detail just a general observation for owner to replace, due to our situation we had 2 vehicles and only enough parking for one but that wouldn't generally be a problem for anyone else, local pub was nice for a bar meal and pint, we would highly recommend a visit to the Abbey Kitchen in Shap, overall a lovely week away.”

- Beverley, February 2023
Iain February 2023

“Cottage was excellent for two of us and our dog.”

Good position for visiting the lakes. The cottage had everything we required for our stay. Two excellent bars in the village - the greyhound and the Kings arms. Would book this cottage again if we go back to the lakes.

- Iain, February 2023
Sean January 2023

“Great little cottage ideally situated for lots of local walks and visiting nearby attractions.”

The hot water system was excellent as was the Woodburner which made it very cosy in some very cold weather. As we were there for 7 nights the washer and dryer came in very handy as did the little spare room for storage and a good space for drying with airers provided.

- Sean, January 2023
Della October 2022

“The cottage was lovely, the bed and sofas comfy, and once we had the knack of using the small shower room without soaking everything, all was good.”

A measuring jug and some scissors would be helpful in the kitchen, and maybe a better range of glasses. Perfect spot to head off into the Yorkshire Dale's and the Lakes to explore.

- Della, October 2022
Simon July 2022

“Lovely cottage and ideal for exploring the Lakes, our second time this year and would definitely recommend”

- Simon, July 2022
Fiona May 2022

“Nice clean property.”

Nice touch leaving milk so we could have a brew when we arrived.

- Fiona, May 2022
Georgia November 2021

“We had a lovely time in the Lake District at Kidsty Cottage, there’s not a lot in Shap however it’s a great base to get to Kendal, Penrith, Keswick, Windermere etc.”

We were a bit disappointed on arrival that there wasn’t any milk to even have a cup of tea and kept having to buy logs and firefighters throughout the week for the fire which got quite expensive (not sure what the protocol is with fires as to whether these things should be left or not?). The wi-fi didn’t work so don’t go relying on that, and there were no recycling facilities which seemed a shame as I try to recycle as much as I can! Other than these little things we had a lovely stay, it was comfortable and clean and I’d really recommend Abbeys Kitchen in Shap for breakfast or lunch, just a short walk up the road!

- Georgia, November 2021
Garry September 2021

“Despite advertising that there is WiFi there is indeed no WiFi, not even a router.”

If I had known this then I wouldn't havee booked the cottage as I needed to stay in contact with work. There is no point in contacting Sykes if you need help as they are not very helpful at all.

- Garry, September 2021
Lynne August 2021

“Lovely cottage, very comfortable and well equipped.”

An excellent base for exploring the area.

- Lynne, August 2021
Simon July 2021

“A lovely cottage, a good size and very comfortable.”

Would highly recommend the abbe kitchen cafe in shap

- Simon, July 2021
Mark July 2021

“We had a great time at the Cottage and will definitely be returning!”

!

- Mark, July 2021
Ann-marie July 2021

“We had a lovely stay in this quirky cottage and were blessed with fabulous weather during the week we stayed.”

Lots of people will come to visit the Lake District National Park but it is also well worth exploring the local Shap fells just on the doorstep. The only drawback with the cottage is the outside area at the back which is not enclosed so not suitable with a dog. Overall the cottage is very comfortable and we really appreciated the friendly neighbours.

- Ann-marie, July 2021
Peter July 2021

“Not up to usual standards of cottage hired.”

Drab and need of freshening up&. Synthetic bedding led to uncomfortable sleeping. Kitchen arrangements made poor use of space. Local area brilliant, village and views, and Telli was good to watch Footie. PP

- Peter, July 2021
Philip June 2021

“Everything was first class, the only minor niggle is there is no privacy with the out door seating, this could be made 100% better if the table and chairs could be situated in the front garden?”

may be there's a reason why they can't? The cottage and facilities are very good, local facilities mean you could stay local if you wished. The only thing we found was that more traveling than we thought to see the 'sights' was necessary but, that is not the fault of the cottage just that we didn't do enough research. So if your planning on traveling further afield do your research lol.

- Philip, June 2021
David June 2021

“Nice cottage with good facilities.”

Easy access and parking, small local shops for the basics within walking distance. It made a great base for visiting the area, with good roads links to motorways etc. The WiFi signal was poor, if you are wanting to ensure you have a consistent connection for any reason it's worth being aware of this. The shower/toilet room has a lovely shower, however it is a very snug space. These are not negatives to stop us booking again, but feel it's worth people being aware of these points.

- David, June 2021
Joanne May 2021

“A bit disappointed with location and description a bit misleading.”

The courtyard at the back of the cottage is not suitable for pets as it is completely open and not very suitable for sitting outside unless u want to look at next doors car and an old shed? The pictures lead you to believe that you can enjoy a cup of tea whilst admiring the view but that is far from accurate. You need a car to get around as Shap is quite remote and nothing to do during the day, although there were a couple of public footpaths so some nice walks but not enough to keep you busy for a week so had to drive in to Kendal most days and Windermere which is definitely worth the drive and a must as is Bowness and Ullswater (Poolley Bridge). Cottage itself was well catered for but really nothing extraordinary and if I’m totally honest I’ve had much better for less money so I feel it was quite expensive for what you got. But we did have a pleasant stay just don’t get your hopes up because I was expecting a view of the scenery but you can’t see any of the views at all from the cottage.

- Joanne, May 2021
Elizabeth April 2021

“This is a well located cottage for exploring and walking.”

Some of the kitchen appliances need updating especially the fridge and it was a real shame that the log burner was out of use. It has a beautiful new bathroom but if your husband it taller than 6 foot and we’ll built it is a really tight space!

- Elizabeth, April 2021
Michelle October 2020

“We had a very enjoyable holiday.”

The cottage is central to getting to the lakes and surrounding areas of absolutely breathtaking scenery. We feel the bedroom would benefit from a black out blind as the one that is up is quite see through when the light is on. Also it was a shame that the log burner wasn’t working as that would have been the topping to our holiday cake. Over all a fabulous relaxing holiday we would recommend.

- Michelle, October 2020
Louise September 2020

“We had a wonderful stay in the cottage.”

It was well situated for getting about the Lake District and had adequate amenities on the doorstep i.e pubs and Co-op. The cottage would benefit from a black out blind or curtains in the bedroom and could easily accommodate a dressing table and chair in the spare room for getting ready. We had a lovely stay and would be more than happy to go back.

- Louise, September 2020
Sue August 2020

“We stayed here in August and because of the Covid situation we were expecting a superior standard of cleanliness.”

Unfortunately that was not to be. The grey furry venetian blind in the kitchen was actually white underneath the grime. The cutlery tray in the kitchen drawer had an accumulation of dirt in the corners. The fridge was stained inside. The lovely fireplace in the bedroom contained someone else's rubbish. Other issues we found were the kitchen window wouldn't open. The toilet seat was loose. The shower room door wouldn't lock because the lock had been fitted incorrectly. The garden although enclosed was unsuitable for a dog. There was a rockery at the end and a dog could easily get on the wall from that. On a positive note the property was well equipped, the bed linen and towels were good and the location was ideal. There was a second room upstairs which we found very useful for storage and drying clothes. These issues and others have been raised with Sykes Cottages and the owners so hopefully they will be rectified. Having recently looked at the description of the property on the website I can see that it has now been updated by Sykes.

- Sue, August 2020

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Summary

One double bedroom
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
Kitchen
Living/dining room with wood burner.
Electric central heating
Wood burner
Electric oven and hob, microwave, new fridge/freezer (May 2021), washing machine, tumble dryer, TV, DVD player
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking
Front garden
Outside seating to rear
One well-behaved pet welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 0.2 miles, pub 0.3 miles
Note: Narrow, winding staircase, please take care
Please note: The seating area to the rear of the property is not private
Note:

The property

Resting in a perfect position for exploring the many wonders of the Lake District National Park and beyond, Kidsty Cottage is the ultimate choice for your romantic retreat in Cumbria.

A homely cottage resting within the village of Shap, there's so much to explore within the local area and further afield.

Step through your private courtyard and into the property, and kick off your shoes before entering the inviting living/dining room, a lovely spot to settle down in the evenings on the sofa in front of the television when you're not out exploring, the woodburning stove offering a welcoming element to this quaint cottage.

To the rear of the property you can find the well-equipped kitchen, hosting all the essentials for your stay, even including a washing machine, while the dining area back in the front room is where you can enjoy all of your romantic meals.

Prepare for bed with a warming shower in the convenient ground-floor shower room, a modern spot with impressive exposed stone walls offering the perfect place to unwind each evening before taking the staircase to the first floor to find your double bedroom, with plenty of space for all of your personal belongings and accompanying crisp white linens, it's a truly homely spot.

Put on your walking boots and begin your day's adventure within the local village of Shap, home to a Post Office with a village shop, a pub, a selection of shops and even a swimming pool, you can find all you could need just a short stroll from the property.

Venture to the Shap Abbey, resting on the western banks of the River Lowther, here you can expect to find spectacular scenery and views over the Lake District.

Just a short drive can bring you to a variety of Lake District wonders; head to Kendal for a day of golfing, rich history in its museums and castle and a plethora of shopping experiences, or take to the waters of Windermere, with plenty of watersporting opportunities on offer including flyboarding, canoeing and kayaking, waterskiing and more, there's something here for every taste.

Uncover the rich history of Penrith with its imposing 14th century castle, or venture further to find both the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park both offering their own unique experiences and landscapes like no other.

For a truly unforgettable holiday, choose Kidsty Cottage as your base for exploring all that Cumbria has to offer.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

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About the location

SHAP

Pooley Bridge 13.5 miles; Kendal 16 miles; Ullswater 18 miles

This endearing linear village rests within the isolated dales in the Eden district, Cumbria. This small village consist of a long line of 18th century properties, a swimming pool, pubs, shops, a Post Office and a wonderful memorial park. Resting half a mile away from the village centre is Shap Abbey, which is surrounded by a picturesque location by the River Lowther and was the last to be Henry VIII in 1540. Within striking distance is the breath-taking Lake District National Park, with easy access to the delightful towns of Ambleside and Windermere. 16 miles away in the larger town of Kendal, which plays host to superb shopping arcades, two castles and a number of historical landmarks to keep you busy. Shap promises a wonderful village, perfect for exploring Cumbria and the wonders of the Lake District.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Thank you for such a lovely stay at Kidsty cottage, it was a fab base for exploring the Lake District and wider afield.”

“Stay No 4 :).”

“Lovely little cottage, just right for the 2 of us and an excellent base to explore the lakes.”

“3rd visit, so its definitely a home away from home.”

“Having previously owned and ran a 5* Airbnb property for five years we were disappointed when we arrived at Kidsty Cottage.”

“The cottage is beautiful with a superbly comfortable bed!”

“Hiya the cottage was lovely and location was exactly what we were after.”

“Had a great time at Kidsty Cottage.”

“We had a wonderful stay.”

“A wonderful cottage as a base to explore the whole of the lake district, but especially the northern lakes, fells and countryside.”

“Hello again, I told you I'd be back!”

“Lovely small, cosy cottage.”

“Nice cottage,nice village”

“Lovely cottage nice and comfortable.”

“We had a very comfortable and cosy stay at your cottage.”

“Kidsty cottage is perfect for visiting North Yorkshire and Cumbria.”

“Well, after reading previous reviews, I was a bit apprehensive.”

“Lovely cottage, ideal for a couple and a dog.”

“This is the fourth time we have booked through Sykes and we have never been disappointed in the past.”

“Had a great stay at Kidsty Cottage, great location, everything you need is in the cottage.”

“A really lovely cottage to stay in for our summer break.”

“Cottage adequate for short stay, would help visitors if there was a name plate at the rear of the property, door at front of property needs lock changed unable to lock it.”

“The cottage was fine and location good but a few little points need pointing out .”

“Bathroom was a little bit too small although modern would have been better situated upstairs”

“First impression was the kitchen with2 washing up bowls with dirty sponge and brush in, the second bowl to be used as a drainer which is strange!”

“The property had electric radiators that did not have a timed facility that meant waking up to a very cold house each morning.”

“Cottage was excellent for two of us and our dog.”

“Great little cottage ideally situated for lots of local walks and visiting nearby attractions.”

“The cottage was lovely, the bed and sofas comfy, and once we had the knack of using the small shower room without soaking everything, all was good.”

“Lovely cottage and ideal for exploring the Lakes, our second time this year and would definitely recommend”

“Nice clean property.”

“We had a lovely time in the Lake District at Kidsty Cottage, there’s not a lot in Shap however it’s a great base to get to Kendal, Penrith, Keswick, Windermere etc.”

“Despite advertising that there is WiFi there is indeed no WiFi, not even a router.”

“Lovely cottage, very comfortable and well equipped.”

“A lovely cottage, a good size and very comfortable.”

“We had a great time at the Cottage and will definitely be returning!”

“We had a lovely stay in this quirky cottage and were blessed with fabulous weather during the week we stayed.”

“Not up to usual standards of cottage hired.”

“Everything was first class, the only minor niggle is there is no privacy with the out door seating, this could be made 100% better if the table and chairs could be situated in the front garden?”

“Nice cottage with good facilities.”

“A bit disappointed with location and description a bit misleading.”

“This is a well located cottage for exploring and walking.”

“We had a very enjoyable holiday.”

“We had a wonderful stay in the cottage.”

“We stayed here in August and because of the Covid situation we were expecting a superior standard of cleanliness.”

Summary

The property

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About the location

SHAP