Devon holiday cottages

[Therealmetherealme]

Hi,

With so much accommodation and companies online, can anyone recommend a trustworthy company ? I keep hearing bad things about Sykes and Air B&b and I don't want to travel for hours to be let down.

I wouldn't risk AirBnB. Hhonestly have never had a problem with Sykes. I pay a lot of attention to the reviews and pick carefully. All have been lovely buildings, clean, well-equipped with great welcome packs and helpful hosts if any communications needed.

I think Sykes has two booking systems, telephone (better for queries and changes) and online only. I've always made the final booking by phone and they've given me the online price. I'd try other companies, but usually book close to going away and find Sykes has more options.

I use air bnb several times a year and have only had a property cancel on me once. What other issues do you hear about?

I booked a cottage in Devon through cottages.com, also booked cottages in Cornwall with them too. Never had a problem. I’ve also used Holidaycottages.co.uk for Cornwall too, just as good.

Used Sykes once, absolutely beautiful house that was spotless but on the Thursday morning before the Friday departure they sent me a list of all the cleaning jobs I had to complete before leaving Friday. I’ve got no problem with stripping beds, replacing furniture if we had moved it, and a general tidy up, but when I’m told to vacuum throughout and drag the bin right down to the front of the property and clean the bathrooms, I was actually very annoyed, I thought the price I paid for the week included cleaning, not doing the cleaning myself! The cleaners when they came only had to make the beds.

Returning home I left an honest review on the Sykes website. The owner got in touch with me and asked what had happened. I sent him the email from Sykes. He got in touch with them and they told him that the email was still ‘set’ to covid conditions. That was why there was so much cleaning. This was last October. The owner apologised and offered me 20% off of my next booking, which was lovely of him.

I wouldn’t book with Sykes again.

I have been using cottages.com for years. Never had a problem

We used Air bnb last year and it was fine, but I found another listing for the same property that was £100's less. I've also heard about late cancellations, uncontactable hosts and issues with damp.

I've not had any problems with air bnb, I use them all the time. The one time I had a host cancellation, air bnb were really helpful in finding me something else I was happy with, and they paid the difference in price.

Thanks all. Good to hear some positives. I'm still struggling to find the right place, North Devon, 3 bedroom, enclosed garden, shop or takeaway nearby, WiFi, parking for one car. Am I asking too much? I think I've just left it too late this year.

Devon cottages are popular. You might have left it too late.

Try holiday cottages uk page on Facebook - you can say what area/budget/requirements and owners post the link to their cottage.

Corffe cottages are lovely.

Out of interest how much is a three bedroom cottage in Devon for a week in the summer school
holidsyd?

Don't use Helpful Holidays based in Chagford, they are anything but helpful if you get a problem. We had a horrendous experience with them, were all ill from the water supply to a grotty farmhouse that we spent a small fortune renting. Their idea of compensation for ruining DH's 50th birthday was a voucher off our next booking. As if.

Prices really vary, but I'm looking for 4 nights, the first week of school hols when not everywhere has broken up. Prices are anywhere from £700 up to over £2500.

I’ve used National Trust Holidays.