Flat 34 Herbert James Close

This accommodation was a major disappointment, being nothing like the listing on Sykes website would have you believe.

It was scruffy, tired and tatty - from the filthy (once beige) black, soiled (in places burnt) carpet to the worn furnishings and scruffed dirty walls. The mattresses on the beds had seen better days and dipped in the middle (thank goodness I'd taken a mattress topper) and some of the bed linen was stained. The bath was damaged and rusting, with mould and mildew on the tiled walls. Considering the property was supposed to be for 6 people, it had a minimal amount of crockery, cutlery and utensils. And what there was (just a handful of items) were old, dirty and many chipped. Apart from a few saucepans there was nothing to actually cook in (though the cooker did work well, as did the microwave!) There are just too many problems with the actual maintenance/workings of the place to list here - e.g toilet not working properly, plugs not sealing/removing in both bath and sink, broken handles, etc, etc. Just simply all a state of someone not caring enough really. If you think youth hostel accommodation or ex-rental/student flat, this is the level the property is at. It is simply not of a high enough standard to be classed as a holiday let and most definitely not of Sykes usual quality and high standard. Our understanding is that it is new on their books and is sub-let via a third party company - Pridak Limited - who seem to own a number of properties in the area. But it's still up to Sykes - for their own reputation - to check places out before taking them on. We have stayed with Sykes many, many times over the years - hence returning to them this time - but have never been disappointed like this. I am currently very ill and came to the area because I had medical appointments there. I specifically needed a comfortable, clean property to stay in and was distraught on seeing the place on our arrival. We contacted a Sykes rep but, whilst sympathetic, he wasn't particularly helpful and we felt rather abandoned and let down. We had no choice but to stay there however due to my illness/weakness preventing me from moving far. We were already stressed enough. We actually cut short our stay in the end (after my treatment) as we couldn't bear to stay a moment longer. I want to add one further thing: The apartment itself could be really nice as the area is pleasant (right next to an attractive little park) and both the block and surrounding road quiet. All it needs is some TLC from the owners - a lick of paint, new carpet and proper maintenance.