2 Knoll Mount

A few thoughts… Many thanks for our stay, and for the flowers, the biscuits and the milk - each very welcome.

In many ways the cottage was very good, with a good position near the pub, and for visiting sights. There are a few things which we would like to mention, and which the owners might need to consider. The stones in the parking area prevent the gate from being opened more than just enough for one small car to fit. The sitting room is in need of a coffee table or side tables for it to be a really comfortable space, with places to put down cups, side plates etc. For older guests, such as ourselves, we think it would be important to mention that the steps on the staircase are steep and uneven, and could be dangerous for anyone unsteady on their feet. Also the bath/shower lacks a non-slip surface or mat, and handrails. It appeared that there was no provision for making ground coffee (no French press, for example). We have noticed that there is a slight leak in the tap in the kitchen, which probably needs tightening before it gets worse.

On arrival the inner door was open, at this stage we did not know that there was a problem with the door, until we found a problem of getting in and out of the property.

I phoned Sykes cottages and was told there is a problem with the inner door, please leave this open. He told me there was a note on the table advising us of this. ( There was no note on the table) Owners knew about the problem but as they had back to back bookings they could not get the time to remedy this. You have to be out by 10 am and the next people are due in at 3 pm that is a five hour slot for this to be done. Window is unsecure in the lounge, this is a major issue as anyone could enter. A coffee table needs to be put in the lounge. Curtains also need to be added to the lounge,/ Dining area. Kitchen area good everything is there, except printed instructions how to use the smeg cooker. There needs to be a welcome folder in situ including printed instructions for the cooker, fuse Box /Stop Cock. Doctors/Dentists. I left leaflets for days out in the box on the side. A good area for travelling around. Carpets need cleaning on the landing and in the bedroom. But general cleanliness was fine. All of the above issues could be easily rectified within the 5 hours slot between lets. Stairs may be ok for some, these are stone stairs and narrow, we are 70 and 73 yrs if I had of seen a picture of the stairs on the main pictures I would not have booked this cottage as I have replacement knees. Flowers and farm milk and biscuits left, which was nice.

On arrival there was a toilet seat in the entrance hall.

To be fitted or already removed - I didn’t want to investigate! A note on the kitchen table saying the inner door handle is broken and needs replacing. Tried to lift up blind in sitting room. It fell down and is held up with laces so didn’t touch it again. Ditto in kitchen but tied to window with string. Window latch broken in sitting room and handle missing altogether, therefore totally insecure and we had to take our valuables with us when we went out . Fortunately bed has mattress and pillow protectors or I would have left immediately. Half a toilet roll in the bathroom - I have done housekeeping change overs and you always leave two toilet rolls for new guests. No instructions for smeg cooker. Found them online, got it working and electricity tripped out - where is the fuse box? Out of hours for Sykes so went to ask neighbour who said it had already been a problem in the 3 months since the owners started letting the property. Carpets upstairs are very stained - my husband didn’t want to lie down to do his exercises. Sofa downstairs lovely feather cushions covered in throws. When I went to plump them up they are disgusting - as if someone has urinated on them and one very suspect brown stain. I have photos of everything to send you but no way to do it. Attention to detail regarding kitchen equipment was excellent but a vase of flowers and a packet of chocolate biscuits doesn’t make the big picture go away. All in all, very disappointed in what you offer as a 4 tick cottage.