“We arrived after dark at 4pm on 31st December.”
There were no working lights at the property & it was freezing cold - the radiators were set to 10 degrees & were cold. We reported the issues immediately to the number provided & did get a call back & a call from Chester? This was after my husband had found the fuse box & flicked a fuse to get the electricity back on. I spent the rest of the evening in my coat, and when we tried to cook a meal, the oven didn't work and there was no hot water. The plates were that cold, ice-cream would not have melted - I had to boil a kettle, wash the plates to warm them for food. I went to bed at 9:15pm to get warm, therefore missing my New Years Eve.
The following day it was warmed through but still no oven or hot water. I reported this.
On 2nd Jan the electrics started to short again & the fuse tripped every 45/60 seconds. I reported this. My husband did his best to isolate the electrical fault, identify the problem for the oven & hot water by reading the instruction booklets which negated the reason for the trip - that he could relax. We left early and didn't stay the last night.
Throughout I received polite and conciliatory responses**, but this did not make up for the issues we were experiencing. I have rented many times in this country and abroad - I have always been pleased with my trips. This is the exception because while the bungalow was clean, well-stocked and ideally situated, the living conditions made us miserable. Your wine and biscuits were well meant I'm sure, but we would have preferred (especially for the price we paid) the luxury of light, heat, cooking facilities and hot water. We have left your gifts behind.
** I have today heard back from the complaints department – they need to learn listening skills not just broke record technique. I will never use Sykes Cottages again & will not recommend them.
