“Whilst appreciating that the building is very old, we would draw your attention to the following points which we feel need to be addressed:
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> Entrance Porch
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> Not swept and cobwebs covering arch; last winter's leaves lying on either side of porch.”
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> Kitchen
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> Units very shabby and without kick boards; door facings evidencing substantial signs of aging etc. If it were not for the smart, slate work surfaces then kitchen would appear to be from the 1970s!
> Mould on wall at end of kitchen partly hidden by microwave and close to boiler
> and lots of cobwebs
> Refrigerator rusting at base - freezer box iced up meaning it was difficult to store anything in it.
> In terms of helping to keep surfaces etc clean it would be useful to
> have kitchen roll but none present albeit there was a very smart holder.
> Cooker not very clean especially the grill pan. Over dishes decidedly antiquated!
> A surfeit of mugs etc including a mug stand of 6 very large mugs. Why,
> given a maximum of two people, especially as this adds to clutter on work surface? Found 3 cups, thankfully, but no saucers!
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> Not much in the way of cooking dishes. Huge frying pan (for 2 people?) which was too large for stove. Another small saucepan would have been helpful.
> Plenty of kitchen utensils, etc and indeed cutlery . Why, given only 2 person occupancy? Overall, the collection of dishes and utensils were not provided with regards to just two person occupancy. Indeed, one might think that the dishes etc were from somewhere else where they were no longer required.
> Glasses not clean. This might be due in part to the drying cloths provided possibly in need of a good laundering.
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> Plenty of ground coffee but no cafetière. This absence explains why there was ground coffee already present !
> Quite probably the first time we have taken a let not to find at least a minimal provision of milk/tea/coffee! Some old teabags and sugar - no usuable coffee, no milk. This rather raises question over the "welcome" note on the slate board in the kitchen.
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> Broken dish [small white, with lid] on window ledge
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> Bathroom
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> Plug fitting in basin does not fit well to keep water in and going
> rusty
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> No soap dish in shower
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> Cobwebs visible
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> Bedroom
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> Comfortable but gutter above window to far left of bed overflows -
> requires cleaning out.
> Cobwebs visible
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> Lounge
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> Comfortable but no ‘welcome pack’ or visitors’ book
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> Cobwebs visible
> Light over one picture not working
Guide to the property states "open fire". That is so but there was no fuel to use! Are guests expected to purchase the necessary fuel and would they buy the correct material to use?
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> Albeit not THAT important to us, it was surprising that there was such a limited range of TV and radio channels given that from our experience of properties in the Lakes most owners overcome this factor through using Sky or alternative reception systems.
> Overall
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> Dove Holm was without doubt the most costly self catering accommodation that we have rented to date (our association with your Lakelovers goes back to 1990s and includes some 20 lets) and the lowest in terms of value for money and luxury that we have experienced in the Lakes and indeed elsewhere. It would benefit from a deep clean and a kitchen update.
This is the second time [previously in Cartmel] have stayed in a "Sykes Cottage" which was below par and rather raises concerns over other bookings. However, and in fairness, we did stay in the Piggery at Ullswater which in contrast to both these properties, was substantially much better.
- Mr Leslie, September 2021
