The Orchard

Property suffers from general air of meanness.

Decor and garden unkempt. I understand own towels for pool but no towels for bathrooms plus no soap, and virtually no supplies of dishwasher tablets (only two) for a faulty dishwasher, no more bin bags and a few extra loo rolls is just miserly. We had a happy holiday with children who particularly enjoyed the swimming pool, and dogs who were secure in the garden and paddock. But the first impressions of lack of welcome and supplies remained throughout our stay especially considering the price paid for the booking. If these are the low standards that Sykes Holiday Cottages promote, then I will not be booking with them again. Hilary, Dorset

Other reviews had warned us the place was a bit run down so we expected that but even so for the price we would have hoped for soap and more than one toilet roll in each bathroom .

We enjoyed the location and we enjoyed the local boating, the heritage railway and the castles. The pool at the house was also a big winner. We had an issue with a lack of glasses when we arrived but the owner sorted that out promptly, so a big plus there too.

This was our third visit to The Orchard- previously visited in December so looking forward to using the outside space The house was very clean and well equipped It is a little ‘tired’ with some TLC needed.

We had a few issues- we struggled to get the oven to work properly (studied the instruction manual) Some of the ceiling fans did not work Freezer not dispense ice cubes - contacted the owner who said it was only a few months old so he would contact the manufacturer Overall we had a fab weekend celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary with children and grandchildren Remember to take bin bags, dishwasher tablets and matches with you

This is a lovely house for a large party with plenty of space to get away from the crowd if wanted.

After reading previous reviews we did take a few kitchen items, i.e. chopping board, foil baking trays for the oven and an adjustable oven shelf which did help when cooking. We were there during very hot weather and very much appreciated the pool and the ceiling fans in some of the bedrooms The inside and outside tables were large enough to accommodate our family of 10 which is important to us. We would highly recommend this property and feel that some of the photos don't really do it justice.

It is a lovely large house that is quirky in style but very comfortable- some areas need a little bit of attention such as peeling wallpaper- the kitchen is well equipped and perfect for a large group - the pool is the best part of the house it’s warm and extremely clean we loved it - the house was exceptionally clean and we really enjoyed our stay

This a truely wonderful property for a large group of friends and/family.

All the bedrooms are comfortable and many have en-suite. There is a comfortable lounge and large separate dining room where we had a lovely early Christmas dinner! The pool is lovely and warm even in December! The kitchen could do with a few more trays for the oven. We went a bought some foil ones and then we were set. Would recommend!

Swimming pool was great, the jazzucci water was never hotter than the pool, we knew before hand there would be no bubbles.

Shame there was no heating when we arrived, but house did warm up quickly. The thermostat appeared to be uncalibrated. The plumbing needs some attention. However was a large house and easily catered for 11 of us with plenty of bathrooms. Only 1 shelf in the oven, made cooking for 11 tricky. Plenty of cutlery and crockery and cooking utensils. Better instructions on location on the website, we found it difficult to find in the dark. Shame check out was 9am. Good house for a big family with children.

We enjoyed a week with family, the house is big and plenty of space.

Our family made good use of the heated pool and the dogs loved the safety of the paddock.The decor needs a little update and we struggled with keeping the floors clean due to the grass having just been cut and our 2 dogs in and out treading grass into the house as the Hoover didn’t work…could do with a pair of scissors, extra chopping board, but these little things were minor. Thank you for allowing us to spend a week in your house. :)

We booked this for our family to celebrate my upcoming 70th birthday .

It was brilliant the house was large and accommodated 11 of us (including 4 kids). The swimming pool was lovely and the kids had a blast. We also had dogs and the surrounding area had good dog walks.

Dining room TV didn't work, pool not very warm , open trellis panels not very secure and had floating daddy-long-legs and debris in pool.

Steep depth drop in the pool not marked at all. Jacuzzi not working and were only told 3 days before occupation. Shower gel dispensers were empty. The back of the ice maker in the freezer is broken and ice tumbles out everywhere. Toilet paper not provided in all toilets and only one black plastic rubbish bag. There was one cracked wine glass left in the cupboard. General condition was shabby wallpaper and not cared for.

While 3 of the bedrooms are described as 'ensuite', the shower facilities are minute and not really suitable for someone a little on the large side (or, as in our case, a 7 month pregnant lady).

Cleaning supplies were almost not existent (2 dish washer tablets and 1 bin bag for a 3 night stay - so make sure you take extra) with only enough dishes to do one meal (for 10). The description claims a private driveway suitable for 10 cars - no mention of the bungalow at the back of the property which shares the driveway and we were asked to make sure that we did not block access to this. Apart from that, we had a really great family gathering of 10 plus 4 dogs. The pool was a huge success and made the stay very enjoyable.

We had an enjoyable weekend stay at this spacious property, which comfortably accommodated our large group.

The seven bedrooms, including a sofa bed, provided plenty of space, and the indoor swimming pool was a big hit with the children. It’s a great setting for families or groups looking to relax together. That said, there were a few areas that could be improved. One ensuite shower wasn’t working, and in another bedroom, the fan and toilet had issues. We also noticed some spiderwebs in the kitchen, utility room, and living room, and one of the chairs in the living area was unstable. The swimming pool was clean on the first day, but the filtration system didn’t seem to be working, so the water wasn’t as clean by the second day. We arrived late and were surprised to find no hand wash provided, which made things a little inconvenient until we could go shopping the next day. While we were told to bring our own towels, this was quite a challenge for a group of our size, and providing at least a few essentials would have made a difference. One thing to flag is the check-in and check-out times. While we understand the need for a 5 PM check-in due to the size of the property, a 9 AM check-out felt a little too early — especially while on holiday. An 11 AM check-out, like many similar places offer, would have made the departure less rushed. Overall, we had a lovely time and really appreciated the space, pool, and group-friendly layout. With a bit more attention to maintenance and some added guest comforts, this could easily be a 5-star stay

Property was great, swimming pool excellent, a few minor comments the owner might want to consider.

Shower head in bathroom needed Toilet cistern in another bedroom not working properly Wine cooler not working Been a bit picky the ice machine on fridge not dispensing properly Entrance gate difficult to close if you have pets Also for a property of that size some extra bin liners and dishwasher tablets would be helpful Considering the above comments we had an excellent stay and thank the owner for allowing us to use it.

The property was advertised accurately , the house has a lot of space and a lovely pool.

There were a couple of small things that weren’t working but nothing that impacted on us (ie one shower said out of order but there were 3 others to use). We had a lovely weekend in the house, the pool was amazing and the owner friendly and helpful.

We had a wonderful relaxing stay at The Orchard and the swimming pool was a huge hit!

The area is beautiful, within easy reach of Rye and Camber Sands.

Swimming pool lovely but.

no instructions on jacuzzi This is a good property but Needs lTLC wall paper peeling off in lots of downstairs rooms making the property look a bit shabby Shower not working in one room No curtain on one bedroom window Drinks fridge not working and kitchen units broken or damaged. Generally this is in a lovely location and could be a fabulous rental

As the owner Knows because we have already spoken about the first impressions.

The first impressions were spoilt by the fact that the cutlery, plates and cups were grease smeared. The owner and I agreed that this was largely the fault of poor standards applied by the previous occupants. On reflection and talking to the rest of the party, it is thought that a spruce up of the general decor, maybe a replacement drier and fixing the shower in the double room at back of the house nearest to the drive would make this property great. We all enjoyed our stay at The Orchard and in particular the swimming pool. It's a good property particularly if you have kids of any age with you because they will be happy in the pool even if the weather isn't great. The location is great for History lovers and beach holidays. So overall I would say if the property has the accommodation you need, you can't go far wrong.

We knew it was a property that needed some love but my goodness, it's actually just run down.

It was like fawlty towers! A friend already asked me but we cannot recommend. The pool is the only drawing point, and I think you know that! Not enough for 12 people to be happy with.

Very comfortable, swimming pool was great for the kids

Our second visit to this property and we absolutely love it.

Pool is amazing. Connected hot tub doesn't work though. Plenty of room for dining and large tv to chill and watch films. Seating area is comfortable. We will be booking again next year.

We had a really lovely weekend.

Steve, the owner, has thought of everything. It really is the perfect house for a group with a mixture of ages. Thank you very much!!

Property was great for parents, children and grandchildren.

Pool was a great hit with all. Property was well equipped in the kitchen, never running out of essentials. Bedrooms were comfortable and clean. Plenty of bathroom space. Loved being able to all sit around the dining table for meals. Would recommend for a great family get together.

First of all let me say that we had a really great time, 3 generations of 6 adults, 5 children and 3 dogs, the secure garden for the dogs, the paddock for ball games and the pool all made for a very relaxed fun time for everyone.

We loved the quirky layout and although the decor is generally very lacking with paper peeling from walls etc. in some rooms and very shabby furniture it meant that we could be relaxed about having children and dogs with us. First impressions were not too good, the building is in need of some serious repair/maintenance. The front entrance was rickety and dirty, I swept and washed the porch before the rest of the family arrived. However inside everything was clean and very well equipped apart from no scissors in the kitchen and two unusable tin openers, which provided a challenge. The sofa-bed mattress needs replacing immediately, but luckily we had sleeping bags with us so used them on top to cushion it. Otherwise all the bedrooms were very comfortable. The shower tray in the main bathroom is dangerously slippery, causing two near misses and needs some non-slip strips. The heated pool was fantastic for all the family providing hours of fun, however the steps down into the pool area are worn and slippery even when not wet so need some attention, perhaps again some non-slip strips or surface needed. All in all, I would recommend the Orchard but with the proviso to accept it for what it is and enjoy the company you are with.

The property was very clean.

There were no pet hairs. Unfortunately, the zip-link bed arrangement in one room wasn't available as per the listing but we were able to work around that. Beds were comfortable. The pool was great, very good indeed, although the edge trim was becoming detached in a couple of places. General decor is tired in places and the furniture is unusual! However, a very enjoyable weekend. 9.00am is an unusually early leaving time so we went to Peasmarsh for a really good breakfast after leaving.

The Sofa bed in the downstairs lounge was not up to scratch, compared to the rest of the sleeping facilities, the mattress very poor.

The dishwasher needed a bit of attention as the top tray seemed to derail making it difficult to load and unload.

Lovely property in a good location on the main A28 - so easy to get out and about.

Despite the busy road, it was quiet on the inside of the house. The swimming pool was a big plus - especially given the poor winter weather. However, it is a shame the Hot tub was not functioning (disconnected by the owner due to previous abuses) and likewise, the poolside shower was also disconnected (due to similar abuses in the past). The kithen utilities all worked well though, so it was possible to cook lots of yummy dishes using the excellent Sussex produce. The rooms were a very good size and the beds were very comfortable. There was some difficulty with one of the showers which we have alerted the owner about, but everything else worked well. The owner was very helpful and responsive about (very minor) issues encountered with some of the fittings. The only other (niggling) point was the lack of towels. Not a major problem but just had to remember to bring our own - which was unsual. All in all, a very pleasant stay in a very pleasant part of the country. Thank you Steve.

We had a wonderful holiday at the The Orchard in Sussex.

The house was just right for our family of nine. The pool was fantastic and kept warm throughout our stay. Very privately located with plenty of car parking spaces. All the amenities was more than enough to satisfy us all. Overall...A fantastic holiday in a fantastic location in a fabulous house.

Had a lovely stay at The Orchard.

Space is great and rooms very comfortable. Although the accommodation is spotless it's decor is very tired and could do with some TLC. There is a lot of minor stuff not working and the plumbing definitely needs addressing as there are lots of loose taps and furred up shower heads. A few new washers wouldn't go amiss. The tumble dryer might need looking at as it makes a horrible noise. The outside of the accommodation let's it down as the gutter needs fixing and clearing and the garden needs some tidying and all in need of general maintenance. We had some issues with getting hot water but it's was due to the eccentric plumbing and a couple of calls to the host got it resolved. But it wasn't very convenient to have to do this. A few spares such as bulbs being available would have been helpful. Perhaps a welcome/house guide summarising the house quirks would be helpful? TV in lounge was amazing! Main bathroom shower likewise. Host was very polite and helpful. Kitchen very well equipped but could use some weighing scales perhaps? H&S wise the poolside is lethal if wet, some rubber matting wouldn't go amiss to make it much safer. We had several near misses and one accident on the steps from the house into the pool despite being very careful. Especially worrying when we had elderly and very young children in our party. I would say not doing so is failing in duty of care. A sign warning of the slippery surfaces is not sufficient in my opinion. Thank you Orchard we enjoyed our stay immensely despite a few things hiccups. Wold have give a higher rating if not for poor maintenance of plumbing and safety issues of poolside.

Lovely, comfy property with everything you could need and a secure garden for our dog to roam.

The swimming pool is amazing! Would highly recommend.

We were a party of 8 adults, 3 children under 6 and a dog and booked The Orchard for a family birthday celebration.

It was a really wonderful week and this lovely family home suited all of our needs perfectly. The house was very spacious, with a large table able to seat all of us in the dining room and another, smaller table in the kitchen, which still seated 8 comfortably. The kitchen was large and very well equipped, having everything we needed, so it never felt crowded. The cottage was also clean and there was lovely linen on the beds. The bedrooms were comfortable and although the bedroom furniture in particular, was dated, it rather suited the age of the house. The en suite shower rooms were small but the main en suite bathroom was good and the family bathroom was spacious, with a large shower and roll top bath. Everyone in the group loved the beautiful swimming pool but as the 3 children were non swimmers, we made sure they had buoyancy aids for safety, as I believe the pool depth varies from 3 ft to 6 ft 6”. Although the property is situated on a fairly busy road, it’s surrounded by fields and is perfectly located to explore the Kent and Sussex countryside, National Trust properties, beaches etc. One small point we would like to mention to improve things for the future, would be to illuminate ‘The Orchard’ sign outside the property, as two of our party arrived in the dark and went up and down the road several times, trying to locate the house. It was fine once we all knew the exact position of the property. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed our week here, I would recommend The Orchard and would love to stay here again!

Fantastic property and very helpful owner.

All the facilities were fantastic and the kids especially liked the indoor pool !!! Kitchen was well stocked with plates and glasses etc and plenty of room for our family including the 2 dogs !! Will definitely be booking again and have already recommended to others :)