Battery House

We stayed at Battery House for four nights and I wish we had stayed longer.

The views are magnificent such a lot of sea activity going by the window . The Queen Elizabeth was in and we could wire her from the rooftop terrace . Although the weather wasn’t very good the situation of the house and the views made the holiday for us . A lot of stairs to the top but it was manageable. I so recommend this place . Anna was very helpful with places to visit and with a list of good food cafe’s and restaurants. Indeed she was helpfulwith anything we needed.

Fabulous location overlooking the harbour, we could have spent the entire few days sitting watching the ships and boats.

! Easy reach of pubs and restaurants, and attractions such as the old dockyard and spinnaker tower. Very comfortable, not particularly “modern’ but there was everything we needed. Lovely lounge with plenty of comfortable seating, and even blankets and cushions were provided for the roof terrace. Kitchen was extremely well supplied with every cooking implement you could ever need, and basics like tea and coffee, snacks and cleaning supplies were provided. Excellent communication from the owner, who was extremely helpful regarding places to visit and all of the facilities in the house. Parking for one car was convenient in a small square directly outside the property, with a small charge for an extra vehicle. Would highly recommend.

It was delightful, very well equipped with the most stunning views.

Anna provided the most helpful advice on local amenities, places of interest and great places to eat so that we could just relax and enjoy our holiday. Many thanks.

Location, location!

Stunning views and so wonderful to watch all the boats go by. The roof terrace an absolute bonus. For 8 adults, the kitchen/dining/lounge area is a little cramped but worth it for the views!

We loved our stay here, even though the weather was challenging at times!

We came for the views and it didn't disappoint. A problem with the hot water one morning was fixed in about an hour, which was much appreciated. Excellent location meant we parked the car just outside and didn't move it for the whole week. Watching the start of the Round the World Clipper race from the roof terrace was an added bonus!

We loved our time at Battery House, as a family group of 5 adults and 2 teenagers.

The many stairs were a shock to the system initially, but well worth the effort for the views from the living area and the rooftop terrace. Owner Anna was fabulous, and was so helpful and kind, even ensuring we had a bottle of bubbly to toast our Mom who had passed away the week before our stay. Anna was very responsive to our many questions, and was very accommodating with our chaos in the lead-up to our stay. We had two vehicles, and were able to get additional parking passes from Anna, which was great. We pulled up right outside the door to unload (and when leaving), and had no trouble getting parking for both cars on the Grand Parade. The house itself was excellent and unique. I think we actually spent far more time indoors than we ever would have imagined, because the house was so great. We spent lots of time in the living room, and there was always a battle to get the window seat in the kitchen area looking out towards Clarence Pier! Anna let us know that the Red Arrows would be performing, and we were all on the roof terrace as they came roaring past in formation right over our heads. The roof terrace was amazing, such close views of all the action on the water, and we ended each day there with a drink and watching the sun go down and the lights come up. Others have recommended a new sofa for the living room, and that would be good, but we just adjusted who sat where based on ability to get up from the lower sofa! The little fans in the bedrooms were excellent, we had brought fans from home which weren't needed, as those tiny tower fans were surprisingly effective during the hot weather, and we all slept well. The house has everything you need for a fantastic holiday with a group, including washing machine and dryer, multiple bathrooms, a fantastic location with many cafes and restaurants nearby, and spaces to be together as a group, but enough space you can get away from each other if needed. Would definitely love to stay again, although normally it is just my husband and I, and Battery House is definitely a property for a group......will just have to get the family over from Canada again soon!

Battery House is ideally situated in Old Portsmouth close to Gunwharf Quay and all the attractions.

Parking is straightforward. Anna's tips and advice beforehand were so helpful. The house is split over 5 floors (including the roof terrace, with its wonderful views) so be prepared for some stairs! The bedrooms are a good size and well furnished. There are plenty of bathrooms and toilets. The living room/ kitchen is well furnished but with 8 adults does feel a little cramped for space. The kitchen was well appointed. A very pleasant stay! We loved it and will certainly consider it if we return to Portsmouth again.

We had an excellent week at Battery House, fine weather and lots to see and do in Portsmouth.

The Mary Rose exhibition was fantastic.The house is perfectly placed to watch the comings and goings from the port (we had a grandstand view of Prince of Wales setting sail). There are 42 steps from the entrance to the lounge/dining/kitchen floor and another dozen to the roof terrace which might be an issue for those of limited mobility. We certainly learned never to go up or down stairs without a load. The bedroom/bathroom layouts worked perfectly for our group of five adults, two teenage boys and a young granddaughter, The top floor was rather cosy for the eight of us, particularly as one of our grandchildren is coeliac and needed separate food preparation facilities, but we managed to find a solution. The parking permit system worked fine and we could always find a space in the square. We were a little puzzled by the instructions for recycling but eventually found a bin on the way to the car ferry terminal.

Property is in a most convenient location with easy to reach interesting places to visit and with wonderful views over the Solent.

The house is fitted out with everything you could possibly want and the owner is very attentive and shares her good knowledge and helpfulness with you from the start. The only concern is that the lounge furniture could be replaced as it’s quite worn now and you have to move the seats/backs and sides around to get a decent firm chair. However we would probably still return for a third visit because there’s always something to see and do.

A great house with a fantastic view over the sea.

Lovely to sit on the roof terrace during the days and evenings, watching all the ships and ferries passing by.

Lovely weekend away with friends in a great house.

Brilliant that 3 of the rooms with double beds could be made into singles. Roof top terrace was lovely and we had gorgeous weather. Very close to all amenities. Good comms from owner.

Battery House has excellent views and a great location, but unfortunately the property itself leaves a lot to be desired and was very disappointing.

The overall condition was poor and in great need of maintenance. On Sykes website, Battery House has 4 ticks/stars (Excellent condition throughout ) however, this was definitely not the case. There was a lot of damp throughout the property, particularly in both main bedrooms on floors 1 and 2, leading to large areas of flaking plaster and paint. The floor tiles in the main ensuite on level 2 were broken and taped up with grey tape. The wind whistled through the windows even when they were fully closed. The roof terrace looked beautiful in the photos on the website, but in reality, consisted of shabby furniture and lots of dead pot plants. Some of the furniture in the lounge was frayed and shabby and even the dining table only seated 6 people, even though Battery House accommodated 8, which meant we could not eat together as a family. Early in the holiday, we were without water and electricity for several hours. I made numerous calls to the owner which were unanswered and in desperation phoned Sykes. They also tried to contact the owner and the Housekeeper but were unsuccessful initially. We searched the house for a Fuse Box/Consumer Unit but couldn’t find anything. Eventually, Sykes were successful in contacting the owner and we were told a handyman would come to sort out the problem. When he eventually arrived, he went into a cellar, situated in a locked room on the ground floor and informed us that the dishwasher had tripped the fuse and we should not use it for the rest of the holiday, which was very inconvenient and annoying! I did not expect to spend my holiday washing dishes for 8 people, after every meal time. I didn’t hear from the owner while all this was happening, but she eventually rang on the morning of our departure and did finally apologise and inform us that a new dishwasher would be fitted the following week. I was offered a drinks coaster for the inconvenience. This was in no way adequate compensation for such an imposition on holiday. I booked this property so that my family could be together, beside the sea, to celebrate my husband’s 70th birthday. It was very disappointing and definitely not worth the exorbitant cost. I have since read the reviews posted in July and know that the owner and Sykes must have been aware of these issues. We have stayed in Sykes properties for many years and always been very happy with the quality and standard of them, however Battery House fell woefully short. I am unable to recommend this property and find it very disappointing and misleading that Sykes continue to classify Battery House as 4 Star/Ticks. I took a lot of photos of all the issues before we left the property and have forwarded them to Sykes. Sykes have told me they have tried repeatedly to contact the owner and have failed to get a response and that they are no longer able to assist in the matter. I am appalled at their response as I booked with Sykes because I thought they were a reliable company that I could trust.. I would upload my photos, but unfortunately there isn't an option to do that.

Comfortable and well equipped property with fabulous views over the water.

Great location for the harbour, gun wharf and Victorious festival.

Excellent location for ship watching and access to the waterfront and Portsmouth seafront However, we were extremely disappointed with the overall condition of the property - broken window latches, leaking windows, taped up cracked bathroom floor tiles, unappealing and very poor quality furniture on roof terrace, uninviting and cluttered main entrance hall way.

The whole property appears very tired and needs a lot of maintenance work The owner may come across as a friendly and helpful host, but they seriously need to take a look at the overall quality and condition of the property. The cost to rent the property is not reflected in the overall quality.

Thank you for providing us a wonderful opportunity to stay in this seafront accommodation.

The owner was so helpful and engaged with me right from the beginning. Despite an issue with shower, everything was catered for including parking permits.

Amazing house!

!! Described perfectly on the website. Being met by the owner was great as she could tell us more about the property & surrounding area. If you are looking for a quirky house within walking distance that Portsmouth has to offer then this is the place for you. Love, love, loved it!!!

Owner was very helpful giving information about parking and local placers of interest.

Absolutely fabulous stay.

The accommodation was exactly as described. Perfectly situated to give us easy walking to train station and all major places of interest to visit. Anna, the owner, was amazing, best host ever. She gave us so much advice and help prior to our trip. Really helped us to plan and make the most of our short visit.

The location and sea views are fantastic, which impressed our Australian relatives staying with us for the week.

Equipment and facilities good and beds very comfy. Could do with some tlc, redecoration and tidying up in places, as mentioned in another review by Denise on the website. Very disappointed central heating wasn't working, with no heating at all for first 2 and a bit days, which made the property very cold and uncomfortable, especially as it was November. We appreciated owners phone calls to resolve this and the offer for us to buy some electric heaters, which we'd be reimbursed for, as owner couldn't get plumber out till the Monday. I did get my oil radiator from home in Emsworth which helped a bit. Not the experience you want when being on holiday. Plumber came on Monday and resolved part repair, so nice and warm living room/kitchen area and two bedrooms below. No heating on all the other floors for the whole week so 2 bedrooms very cold. Leaking windows need sorting, poorly sealed so very drafty and noisy from wind and rain, which we had on Saturday and Sunday. I slept back in Emsworth Sunday, as the wind through bedroom windows was very loud due to the the gaps in the seals. Unfortunately it was a very strong wind directly from the wall elevation. The sea spray was coming over the wall giving an indication how strong it was. Kind regards Steve & Linda.

This gorgeous 4 bedroom house is in a marvellous location with views out to the Solent, from every room.

The owner, Anna, is very helpful, communicative and kind. Everything you could possibly need is provided. The beds are comfortable, kitchen well equipped, parking just outside. The roof terrace is amazing and has table and chairs. It is a home from home, with nice furnishings, pictures, TVs, binoculars, washing machine and dishwasher. Easy walk to Gunwharf Quays and Naval Dockyard and lovely to stroll along the promenade by the Round and Square Towers. A wonderful place (provided you can manage lots of stairs!)

The property is ideally situated for access to all that Portsmouth has to offer and that is a lot.

Walks along the harbour walls both long and short are just a step away from the front door. Views from every room are exceptional and it is a delight to watch the yachts, ferries, pilot boats, and even warships plying their way just a few hundred yards away. We managed to enjoy an afternoon on the terrace but unfortunately, storm Babet had other ideas. The well equipped kitchen/lounge area provided plenty of space for our group of 8 adults to congregate whilst planning the next day's adventure. Our host was very pleasant and helpful. An excellent base to enjoy Portsmouth and it's surroundings.

Great stay at Battery House.

The location is excellent for the Historic Dockyard, Southsea, Gunwharf Quay and the ferry and hovercraft to the Isle of Wight. The property is well equipped and comfortable. Anna the owner was in contact beforehand with lots of helpful information about the area and dealt quickly with any questions we had.

A fantastic house in beautiful surroundings.

With four bedrooms and four bathrooms, it is perfect for a group. Sitting on the roof terrace, looking at all the ships passing by, is amazing. The house is close to the Gunwharf Quays with lots of shops and restaurants by the sea. There is also an historic dockyard. We use to come back to the house every year. Marianne Norway

We were a family of 8 in 3 generations and Battery House was perfect for us.

The standout feature is without doubt the amazing views across Portsmouth Harbour entrance and out to the Isle of Wight and beyond. The constant sea traffic in and out of the harbour can keep you occupied all day, particularly with the help of a simple app which can identify each vessel. And the location is perfect with lovely pubs and restaurants on the doorstep, all of Old Portsmouth including the Historic Dockyard within walking distance as in, in fact, the whole of Southsea for those keen to increase their " steps". Anna, the host, is brilliant. Really helpful, full of info about what to see and do, and always on hand to answer text queries. I could go into the pros and very few cons of the rest of the house but you won't want to go beyond the 3rd floor lounge and top floor roofdeck!

We loved staying at Battery House and will definitely be going back.

There was a massive amount of things to do in the area (IOW and Naval dockyards were just two) and didn't move the car all week. I would highly recommend the house and the area for a holiday.

Amazing location, stunning views, we didn't want to watch tv at all, just looking the boats crossing on the window with that amazing sea view.

The owner of the property is very friendly. Plenty to do and see, We got the ferry to Isle of Wight and it was a really nice trip. We went in a big group and the accommodation didn't let us down, plenty of space to everyone. We really recommend this accommodation.

Fab house and host.

Great experience from start to finish. Highly recommended. Thanks!

Anna was an excellent host and Battery House is amazing.

The location and the views are perfect. Anna went above and beyond to make our stay excellent - she even introduced us to a local swimming group so we could open-water swim safely! We would all heartily recommend staying here.

Everything you could want and more.

Would definitely return.

We were 8 adults (4 couples, retired) staying for a week at Battery House.

We never tired of the fantastic view and the shipping activity that could be seen clearly from the top floor living area of the property and the terrace above...stunning! We didn't mind the stairs therefore.The location was superb. An easy flat walk to The Historic Dockyard, and in the opposite direction to Southsea. Two couples didn't use their cars at all as there is plenty to do and see in Portsmouth. Anna, the owner, provided us with 3 additional books of Parking Permits at £30 each for the whole week and we felt that this was good value. Be careful filling the permits in at first as it's easy to make a mistake. The car park is only a few paces away from the property and we were able to unload almost right outside. We were able to contact Anna easily on her mobile phone if we needed assistance etc, thank you Anna, for your help during our stay. We had a wonderful week. Irene and friends

Battery house is an amazing building and the view is good but we were shocked at the condition having paid £1800 for a week.

The heating timer is falling off the wall and one of the lights. Also there is damp in 2 bedrooms .The blind strings were a nightmare to use and curtains missing off one window in lounge .The carpet was full of stains .When you open the front door the hall way is not inviting. Also the alarm is out of date 2017 I think and lastly there are no rubbish bins .Such a shame as we would have stayed again in the future.Needs a lot of TLC.

We had a wonderful short break in this lovely house, great views and comfortable.

Fabulous house!

We were delighted with our stay. The view is superb, you could sit in the window and watch boats all day. Comfortable beds, lots of immaculate bathrooms and a kitchen that meets all your holiday needs. The location was great too, we didn’t use the car at all and could easily walk to all the sights and attractions (with 3 children in tow!). I would 100% recommend a stay here, fantastic.

Fabulous location with superb views over the waterfront, together with very good on street parking facilities.

The roof top terrace would be a dream on a good dry or sunny day to enjoy. Overall we enjoyed a great stay at the property and the owner was very active to assist in every way possible to make sure we enjoyed our time at Battery House. The layout of the property worked really well for us on the different four floor levels, or good exercise on the stairs !

As a group of friends, we enjoyed a superb week's stay at Battery House.

The house is in an ideal location and is a real 'home from home'. There are stunning views from the roof terrace and the property is close to many excellent attractions. Nothing seemed too much trouble for Anna who gave us loads of information and advice on where to go and what to see. We all had an outstanding week.

Property lovely , fantastic views and perfect for getting to our chosen activities, Anna an amazingly attentive host, nothing too much trouble.

Warm and welcoming. House lovely and clean. Would highly recommend this property to any one wishing to stay in this area, thank you Anna

Anna was great from start to finish with good communication and plenty of ideas of things to do.

She also arranged an additional parking permit as we had two cars (convenient parking close by). Roof terrace had brilliant views and we were blessed with sunny October weather, although there are good views from all windows. Nearby pubs, plenty of walks, harbour cruise, D-day museum - we all had an excellent time!

It is a fantastic house close by the sea, with a beautiful view over cruiseships sailing to and from Southampton, Ferries to Isle of Wight and much more.

The roof terrace is really lovely, and a good place to relax

Wow what an amazing property, I don’t think it could have been any better with the views and the amazing owner that was so friendly and nothing was to much trouble.

Also she got us some beers for when we arrived.. we will be going back next year for sure..

We holidayed at Battery House for the 1st time in 2018, this year was our 4th visit.

The house is immaculate, nicely furnished and very well equipped (Anna has thought of everything). Its in a fantastic location with stunning views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight, As its overlooking the entrance to the port, there is so much activity its interesting to watch at all times, from small fishing boats to Brittany Ferries and don’t forget to look out for the cruise ships leaving Southampton. There is plenty to do as the house is positioned about 15 minutes walk from Gunwharf Quays shopping outlet and the nearby Navel museums, but you really won’t want to leave the rooftop terrace Anna was a very attentive host letting us know about local events during our stay, we really are very grateful to her for buying Battery House and allowing us to stay here again, we are already looking forward to our next visit. Thanks Anna x

An Amazing stay, with a friendly and accomadating host, so much to do nearby, would highly recommend.

This property is superbly appointed yet feels comfortable from the moment of entry.

The view over the busy harbour mouth perfectly blends with the relaxation that comes with the main sitting room or, in the right weather sitting on the roof patio. The owner was very helpful and attentive. And Battery House is in a great location for host of interesting outings. We’ll visit again.

Battery House is in a perfect location with unrivalled views over the Solent towards the Isle of Wight.

Tastefully and comfortably furnished by the owner Anna who is a very welcoming hostess who is keen to provide faultless advice and information before and during your visit. The house is in a prime location in Old Portsmouth with all that offers and only a 10 to 15 minute walk from the Historical Naval Dockyard with all it has to offer. If you don't fancy the walk then you can observe almost everything from the fantastic roof terrace. We were lucky enough to have HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Duncan and HMS Somerset slowly drift by. We will definitely be returning.

This property is stunning, the time we were there the novelty of the panoramic sea views when you walk into a room didn't wear off!

Its only a 10-15 minute walk to Gunwarf and even less to the beach and amusements at Clarence Pier, but the property is in a pretty quiet area, and with the living space at the top it really feels like a peaceful retreat from the world, and is just a lovely place to sit and drink tea and watch the ships come and go. The roof terrace is incredible too. The owner is lovely and really want the extra mile to make sure everything was perfect for our stay. We and a 2 year old with us and the high chair and travel cot provided were new and good quality. It's decorated and furnished to a high standard. If we come back to Portsmouth again this is definitely where I would stay again!

We loved the property and the position.

The views were amazing and the roof deck was excellent. Anna was a perfect host dealing with any issues immediately and keeping us well informed prior to our arrival. An extra parking permit was supplied as we came in two vehicles. The addition of the boule and play equipment was also a great bonus. Thank you Anna.

Excellent house in a great spot.

Owner was brilliant with her interaction and helpfulness.

The house was perfect for our family of 6 which included two seniors.

There are a lot of stairs, and the en-suite bathrooms are really small, but the views out of the living room windows are just AMAZING! The location is great for just about everything in Portsmouth.

Awesome property, ideal for what we wanted.

Anna was really great and couldn't do enough for us. We had a fantastic time and it the perfect place to stay and explore the local area. Thank you.

Very happy with everything, the property owner helped us with ideas on where to book places to eat before our stay which was nice as we did not know the area, one of the best places we have stayed in over the years and ideal for a family gathering.