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"Unfortunately, the property was not habitable for us during the heatwave."
We were due to stay for several days, but because one entire side of the property is glass and the way it faces means the sun comes round later in the day, the temperature inside became extremely uncomfortable — particularly in the evening.
We had prepared as best we could and brought tower fans with us, but travelling with a very small baby and a toddler meant we simply couldn’t safely or comfortably remain there. After only a few hours our baby became distressed due to the temperature, and we made the difficult decision to leave that evening.
What was most disappointing was the response afterwards. We messaged the host to explain that we’d had to leave despite having several days remaining on our booking, but received no reply. After chasing, we were directed to Sykes, who advised it was down to the host and said they would come back to us. Unfortunately, this didn’t lead to any resolution — not even an acknowledgement such as “sorry you weren’t able to stay” or a thank you for the feedback.
It’s a real shame, as the property is in a lovely setting with beautiful views, but even with fans it just wasn’t suitable in those conditions. The property could also benefit from a refresh; for example, there were hot water bottles left out on the beds when we arrived, which made us question when it had last been checked before our stay.
Overall, a disappointing experience, particularly given we were unable to use the accommodation we had booked.
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback.
We’re genuinely sorry that the exceptionally hot weather affected your stay. The temperatures experienced during that period were well beyond the seasonal norm, and unfortunately no holiday property can guarantee a comfortable indoor temperature during an extreme heatwave.
We would, however, like to clarify a few points for future guests.
At no point during your stay did you contact either ourselves or Sykes to let us know you were experiencing difficulties while you were still at the property. We were on site during your departure and were unaware you had decided to leave early. Your first communication was received approximately two hours after you had already vacated.
Interestingly, despite the property being described as “uninhabitable”, the swimming pool was still enjoyed during your stay, and the washing up was kindly left for us to discover afterwards!
Regarding the hot water bottles, these are intentionally placed in each bedroom as part of the property’s standard furnishings and presentation. They are there for guest comfort during cooler evenings and are not an indication that the property had not been cleaned. In fact, the property had been thoroughly cleaned and inspected that very morning following the departure of our previous guests, who enjoyed their stay and left very positive feedback.
As for refunds, all bookings and cancellation policies are administered by Sykes Cottages. Once a guest chooses to leave early without notifying us during their stay, the remaining dates cannot realistically be re-marketed at such short notice. This means both Sykes and the property owner incur a financial loss, which is precisely why the booking terms apply.
We always encourage guests to contact us immediately if they encounter any issues during their stay. Had we been made aware while you were still at the property, we would have done everything reasonably possible to assist.
Best of luck
Property Owner
Reviewed by Kate1.0★Jun 2026
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"A beautiful property with amazing views and a lovely finish!"
Comfortable beds and a cosy and calm vibe. Unfortunately with two small children the lack of any blinds or curtains in this property was a serious issue. This really impacted our stay as the children were unable to settle in full sunlight. I felt that the owners had put a lot of love into the lodge but perhaps hadn’t tested it out themselves to understand what really needed doing. Would consider returning if the blinds were sorted out.
Reviewed by Mark4.0★May 2026
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"Still waiting for the right feedback from Sykes as they haven't replied after 10 days of our complaint about our holiday."
The property was nice and the facilities have such potential, however the cleanliness and upkeep is detrimental unfortunately. The hottub was unusable during our stay as half the pumps weren't working, it hadn't been cleaned or maintained whilst we stayed there. There was also rust running into the water. We booked this stay for the holidays as we are school staff and wanted a relaxing break with a hot tub, we asked Sykes previously if the hot tub was private and defiantly ours to use, they assured us. Very disappointed to find it broken and promises of repairs never happened, neither did the promised cleaning. The pool was great for our kids so glad we had that other wise we probably would have left...although again the cleanliness in changing area made that avoidable. The potential for this property to be amazing is there...however if you are looking to book I would get assurances that the things lacking have been sorted, however Sykes aren't forthcoming with communications.
Thank you for your very detailed review — it almost reads like a holiday novel, although perhaps slightly more dramatic than the reality.
We’re genuinely pleased you enjoyed the pool and that the children had a good time, as most families do during their stay. As for the hot tub “never being repaired,” our engineer attended on the Thursday during your visit, diagnosed the issue, and ordered the required parts immediately. Sadly even hot tubs can’t get Amazon Prime delivery on specialist components in rural Bedfordshire.
The tub and pool are both checked and cleaned daily by independent contractors throughout guest stays, which is why your comments regarding them being “uncleaned” were somewhat surprising — especially considering the hot tub remained largely unused during your stay. As we witnessed use on the tub on several occasions
We also note that despite describing the property as somewhere you “probably would have left,” you stayed for the full duration of the booking and later requested a refund via Sykes, which was declined after review of the circumstances.
Lodge Farm is a countryside property, not a five-star Dubai spa resort — although we do appreciate the compliment that “the potential for this property to be amazing is there.” Thankfully, most guests seem to think it already is.
We wish you all the best for future holidays and sincerely hope the next hot tub you encounter behaves itself more appropriately.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Benjamin2.0★Apr 2026
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"Beautiful lodge with amazing views."
My girls loved the jacuzzi and the owner made us feel very welcome. Highly recommend for getting away from a busy life to serenity
Reviewed by Parmdeep5.0★Apr 2026
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"Fantastic location, views, accommodation and extras like the hot tub, logs for the fire pit and the addition of two bottles of prosecco in the fridge."
Reviewed by Alison5.0★Mar 2026
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"Disappointing stay."
Our first impression was that the property did not appear to have been used or prepared recently. There were cobwebs throughout, marks on the walls and furniture, an unpleasant smell when entering the kitchen, and a stained downstairs toilet with an odour. The kitchen sink made noises and produced smells when used. Overall, it did not feel clean or maintained to a good standard.
The listing stated that “a dining table sits at the heart of the room,” but there was no dining table at all. This affected our stay as we had nowhere suitable to sit and eat together as a family.
We were not informed of any issues prior to arrival. Within the first couple of hours, switching on a light caused all the electrics to trip, leaving us in complete darkness with our 11‑month‑old until we found our phones for light. When reported, we were told it was related to the outside lights and would be looked at after we left. This appeared to be a known issue that should have been addressed or communicated beforehand.
There were several electrical faults: multiple light switches did not work, and one side of a plug socket at the bottom of the stairs was not functioning. The fuse board was positioned very low and covered by a loose wooden panel that repeatedly fell off. The fuse box itself did not close properly, leaving internal components partially exposed. This is a safety concern, especially in a family property, and the electrics would benefit from professional inspection.
The Wi‑Fi was effectively unusable. We contacted the owner and were offered an alternative connection, but were told it was also unreliable. Our baby monitor relies on Wi‑Fi, so we had to take turns sleeping in our child’s room during illness. We also had to visit local places with internet access to check in with work. If we had known in advance, we could have brought a 5G router.
There was an ongoing issue with ants entering the property from both sides of the step by the bifold doors through the skirting. This happened daily despite our attempts to manage it.
The hot tub did not feel clean or hygienic. There was visible dirt and black debris floating in the water, along with a line of scum around the rim. I spent a lot of time trying to clean it using the net. One of the diverter valves left an orange, rust‑like residue on my hand, and the hot tub made loud banging noises when in use. We only used it once.
The swimming pool itself was warm and a nice feature, but the surrounding area was dirty, with the same debris and dead insects present throughout the week. The changing room did not appear clean, and after briefly sitting on the floor, our daughter ended up with hair, dirt and debris on her. We cleaned parts of the floor ourselves and avoided using the area after that.
There were also some practical issues. No vacuum cleaner was provided, which made it difficult to keep the property tidy. There was a washing machine but no dryer or airer, so drying clothes was challenging.
Access to the property should also be noted: the driveway/private road is an uneven off‑road track with deep potholes, some unavoidable, which could risk damage to vehicles.
On departure, we were contacted asking when we would be leaving, which created a sense of pressure to vacate before the stated check‑out time due to incoming guests.
For balance, there were positives. A travel cot, highchair and stair gate were provided. The setting is peaceful with a lovely view, the fire pit is a nice touch, and the grass area was useful. The local area is beautiful, with great walks, pubs and friendly villages, and we were invited to visit a local farm for a future stay.
In summary, the property and its facilities have potential, but significant improvements are needed — particularly in cleanliness, maintenance and safety. The electrics require urgent attention, the property needs a thorough deep clean, basic furnishings such as a dining table should be provided, and both the hot tub and pool areas need consistent cleaning and maintenance. Overall, this did not meet the standard we expected, and we would rate our stay 2 stars.
Thank you for your feedback. We take all comments seriously and would like to clarify several points for accuracy.
Firstly, cleanliness and hygiene are a priority for us. The swimming pool and hot tub are checked and cleaned daily, typically early each morning while guests are still in bed. In addition, water quality is independently tested twice weekly to ensure it meets the required standards at all times.
The property itself is also deep cleaned after every stay by an external professional contractor, and we maintain ongoing checks throughout guest visits.
We are always transparent about our rural location, and as outlined prior to booking, Wi-Fi can be variable in countryside settings. This is something we make clear so guests can plan accordingly.
We were disappointed that this review did not reflect the condition in which the property was left. During this stay, there were dogs on furniture, pet mess left in shared/public areas, and staining to towels and bedding, all of which required additional attention from our team. These matters were addressed promptly and professionally once identified.
We would also note that on departure, the booking overran the agreed check-out time by approximately 90 minutes, which delayed our cleaning team who were ready to prepare the property for incoming guests.
We do appreciate that not every stay will suit every guest, but we strive to provide a clean, well-maintained and peaceful countryside environment, which is reflected in the majority of our reviews.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Rob2.0★Mar 2026
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"Such a delightful place to stay!"
It was just the relaxing stay we were hoping for. The owners are very friendly and the accommodation was very well equipped.
We will be back, thank you.
Reviewed by Michael5.0★Feb 2026
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"Really friendly."
Kind and honest people. Greated on arrival. Communication was amazing
GLAD YOU ENJOYUED YOUR STAY WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN
GOOD LUCK WITH THE DARTS
Property Owner
Reviewed by Andrew5.0★Jan 2026
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"We couldn't have asked for a better place absolutely lovely owners very welcoming."
The lodge its self goes above & beyond what it's described as its truly amazing peaceful place to stay. Hot tub, fire pit outside marshmallows you name it they thought of it! We would 100% book again and have recommended it to all our family and friends.
GLAD YOU ENJHOYED WE TRY TO MAKE EVERYONES STAY SPECIAL
Property Owner
Reviewed by Amy5.0★Dec 2025
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