“On arrival the property was filled with flies.”
Other locals told us there has been a real problem with them this year. I understand that a rural country property next to farmland and a lake may well have flies. What I don't understand is why nothing is done to mitigate this? There were sticky fly tapes in most of the rooms which had clearly not been changed for ages. They had gone a yellow colour and were covered in flies (photos on request). Thus on arrival at our holiday the first thing I had to do was drive to Penrith to buy flytrap. Why did the cleaner not raised this and say "I can't leave the property in this state, we need to be replacing the flytraps"? Why not tell customers in advance to take fly spray and sticky flytraps?
On the Friday afternoon we arrived I raised this by telephoning you and I was told in a wonderfully reassuring voice that the owner would be contacted. I never heard anything since. Splendid service.
The bottom freezer drawer was frozen closed because the freezer had not been defrosted for ages. We had to do this (photos available on request). You make a big deal about cleaning properties with coronavirus, but it would be impossible for the cleaner to have cleaned the freezer properly when the draw didn't open.
Beds dreadfully uncomfortable.
Water did not drain away out of main shower so we had to use the other shower.
No nonslip mat which are usually provided when we book with other companies.
No draining board. Why? I have not met anybody since I was a student who did their washing up and did not have a drainer for the dishes.
Just generally another experience of Sykes and their owners doing the bare minimum.
Wonderful property location, loads of space et cetera. The owner may be a good bloke for all I know, but I do find other holiday companies tend to just have better properties with higher quality.
We were desperate when booking this one but otherwise will not use Sykes again
Many thanks
- Christopher, August 2021
Thank you for taking the time to feedback after your recent stay at Low Longthwaite Farm. We apologise for the condition of the fly papers and accept that they should have been changed. In future our housekeeping team will ensure they are checked regularly. Fly spray is always also available. Regarding the freezer draw, we are assured that the freezer was defrosted 2 weeks before Mr Wells stay. We will be checking the freezer for any mechanical issue. Mr Wells was also unhappy with the beds. The guests who followed on found the beds “lovely” and complimented us on the quality of the linen. Whether a bed is comfortable or not is subjective. In the 12 years Low Longthwaite has been open to guests, no one has requested a draining rack but we will consider all constructive suggestions. The main shower had not previously or subsequently been reported as faulty by guests. We will ask our housekeeping team to investigate. Finally, we are committed to investing in Low Longthwaite with an ongoing programme of redecoration and improvement and take great pleasure in sharing this fine house in its stunning location with our guests.
Property Owner