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"I would normally tick Yes to publishing my review, but I didn't want my personal thoughts to be available for others to read."
The cottage took my breath away when we first arrived and after a few hours we realised what a fabulously equipped house this was, and presented to a very high standard. The only drawbacks, for me personally, were the beds which were very hard. Now it seems unfair to give a poor review simply because I found them uncomfortable and many people like a hard bed. My husband was ok sleeping in the bed in the ensuite room, our son and daughter in law had the room with the cot for the baby, and were happy with their bed. I used the first bed in the twin room, but it was narrow and a lumpy, but happily I did sleep reasonably well on it. We all found the sofas uncomfortable too, and spent most evenings on the dining chairs.
We did have two issues while staying at the house. The weekend we arrived was stormy with high winds and the loft hatch in the room our young family used flipped out at an angle, exposing roof space. We rang Amy straight away and she and her husband arrived quickly and fixed the problem, saying they would report it to the owners. We got on very well with Amy, it turned out she had previously spent some years living in a town only 4 miles from our hometown, and we spent some time chatting about the area. It felt like finding a new friend! She and her husband were lovely.
On our second Friday we experienced a sudden and unexplained loss of electrical power at around 4.30pm. We were due to leave the next day, Saturday 27th. We rang Amy and did not receive a reply. We rang several times during the evening and did not receive any response, which puzzled us greatly - we even wondered if something had happened to her that prevented her from ringing us. We had planned an oven meal but had to make do with the microwave, which wasn't great because pastry was involved. We contacted Sykes and there was little support there either. I will be contacting them separately about our experiences.
At around 9.30pm we decided to look at the fuse box, having originally agreed that guests shouldn't really be inspecting the electrics of holiday homes... We discovered that the shower in the family bathroom was tripping out the switches, so we isolated that switch and thankfully the rest of the power was restored.
We left just before 10am on Saturday morning, I stripped the beds and left the bedding/towels in one of the bedrooms as no plastic bags were available for us to use. I cleaned both bathrooms and all the kitchen areas, and cleaned all the bedroom surfaces. I didn't clean the floors on departure, but had hoovered when our family left during the middle weekend. (Amy did offer to bring us clean sheets to change in the middle weekend, but she must have forgotten, and although I had texted her on Monday 15th, I didn't have a reply).
At around 10.30am on the Saturday we began receiving Amy's messages, full of very sincere apologies, which we accept. She explained that they live in a 'poor signal area' and she had not received any messages until around 10.20 that morning. We were quite surprised by this - how did she manage to be the 'Emergency Contact' when she was not contactable due to poor signal? The Information Pack (very well put together) repeats her Emergency Contact Number through almost every page. But she could not be contacted! In replying to her messages, I did suggest that in case of an emergency there should also be a landline number to ring. I also felt that the owners' numbers should be included for times when Amy might not be able to respond (or for a really serious emergency - what if there was a crisis involving water..?) However, for several hours we were pretty worried. And we felt let down, by Amy, by Sykes and by the owners too.
There were so many great things about staying at Pen-y-Les, it really is a wonderful holiday home, with a very high specification. Simon and Joanne have put a lot of work, effort and money into making it a truly wonderful holiday home, and it wouldn't be right to take that away from them, hence this private review.
Thank you for your lengthy report which I am now able to respond to.
Firstly I am sorry that you found all of the beds 'uncomfortable'. They have all been purchased within the last 3 years from a hotel supplier and am sorry if they are not to your liking. We have subsequently discovered that there is a fault on one of the single mattresses and that is being replaced.
Similarly the sofas are all recent purchases - 'lazy boy' brand so I am not sure why you found them a problem.
As regards the problem with the electrics, these are all regularly checked and certified. If one of the circuit breakers tripped , then that is what they are designed to do and of course it is legitimate to check the fuse box to resolve this. It is interesting that you say you had to use the microwave rather than the oven because of this - both are electric. There is also no electric shower in either bathroom so not clear what you mean by isolating this.
As regards our cleaner/Housekeeper, Amy, she has been suffering with poor health and has subsequently been replaced.
I trust this answers your queries.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Teresa5.0★Sep 2025
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"Really spacious accommodation with lovely views."
Comfy beds too. Would definitely recommend .
Thank you - we’re glad you had a lovely stay.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Linda5.0★Sep 2025
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"Lovely property & very well equipped, this was a return visit."
Standard of cleaning excellent. Tv picture on smart tv a bit variable, think that’s a Cornwall issue. One of the single bed mattresses felt a bit uncomfortable. Everything else brilliant.
Thank you for your feedback. There was an issue with the TV but it has now been replaced with a new one.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Rebecca5.0★Aug 2025
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"A beautiful holiday home ram packed with everything you could possibly need for a home from home."
Tastefully decorated with high end finishing.
One of the best we have stayed in. Spacious comfortable and wonderful countryside views with breath taking sunsets. We will be booking again.
Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. So glad you had a lovely stay.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Angie5.0★May 2025
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"We are now regular winter visitors to this lovely property which we find in excellent order always."
The equipment and bedding are the best we have experienced in a self catering property. It is very spacious and easily sleeps 6 in 3 good sized bedrooms.
It is in a quiet yet convenient location with all the amenities of Wadebridge close by. The pub is within a very short walk,.
We shall doubtless book again.
Thank you for your positive comments. We look forward to welcoming you back.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Judith5.0★Nov 2024
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"Hope you were able to fix the fridge !"
! The house is a credit to you , and it was a real treat to be there.
That was very honest off you re the fridge. Thank you for replacing the broken part - it is really not a very good design.
Hope to see you back soon.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Andrew5.0★Oct 2024
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"The property is large and very generously equipped."
Thank you.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Thomas5.0★Sep 2024
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"We loved our stay with you guys and the added touches like being able to use your deck chairs and body boards really was appreciated as we would have had to rent them elsewhere otherwise."
Our friend who was in a wheelchair had no issues negotiating the property and meant he could be involved in everything we did.
That’s brilliant news. Thank you!
Property Owner
Reviewed by Ben5.0★Aug 2024
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"Fabulous cottage, a real home from home."
Beautifully decorated throughout, very well equipped kitchen. Ideal location for us. Visited Eden Project, Lanhydrock house, Pencarrow House, St Michaels Mount, Padstow etc. all the usuals. Good supermarkets nearby. Excellent pub next door and good garden centre for breakfasts 5 mins away if needed.
Glad you enjoyed your stay. Hope to see you again soon.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Julia5.0★Jun 2024
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"Lovely spacious nicely decorated and comfy cottage in a beautiful, quiet area."
Equipped with everything you need and more.
Thank you for chosing us, hope we will see you again.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Magdalena5.0★May 2024
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"We have stayed in many self catering places over the years and we all agreed that Pen-y-Les was the best ever!"
Extremely well equipped, surprisingly spacious, very quiet within and outside the home despite being near a pub, clean and very comfortable, including the beds. A lovely home to come back to after battling the wind, rain and mud on the SWCP each day! Great views across the estuary towards Padstow when the sea mist and fog lifted!
Glad you enjoyed your stay. Yes, the weather can be quite wild up there sometimes but we love it, when you can come back and rest at the end of the day.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Maria5.0★Mar 2024
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