“The location and cottage itself was perfect and the few days we spent there could have been perfect too (it was for a 40th Birthday and 74th Birthday celebration).”
The cottage said dogs were welcome and we had our 2 dogs with us as booked. The issue was around all of the additional rules we encountered when we reached the cottage that made it feel that dogs were not welcome at all! We wish we had known everything before we booked as we would not have chosen this cottage with the restrictions they place. We are used to adhering to reasonable and logical rules in holiday lets (we regularly are away with the dogs) but these were just a little too extreme.
One of the owners (next door) was quite confrontational and it became very uncomfortable with her asking us to keep the dogs quiet and checking up on us regularly - no warm welcome at all!! It got to the stage where she frowned or pointedly ignored us on the last day.
We were courteous and polite at all times and carried on to ensure the Birthday Celebrations were not dampened.
Its a real shame as this could have been idyllic.....
We are very sorry you felt your stay wasn't perfect in relation to your feedback we wanted to respond. We are extremely dog friendly and have been so as holiday cottage for the last 10 years. In all this time we have never had one comment regarding pets other than saying its perfect for them. Regarding the point re restrictions, the only things we mention in the welcome note is a 'polite notice' asking that due to the light coloured furnishing on the first floor (carpets, bedding etc) that pets should be kept anywhere on the main ground floor as it perfect for them due to the natural oak and limestone flooring. The only other mention is that dog dropping should be collected and put in the refuse bin we have provided. Regarding the comments about the owners there was no conversation at all like this and we are wondering if in fact that was with someone else on site (we do have lots of passers-by, visitors etc) especially as my wife wasn't actually here on the last day as indicated as she works full time 50 miles away and had left for work extremely early before anyone was awake. The only conversation my wife had ironically was with one of the guests who commented that they didn't like dogs and hence why they were stood outside. My wife/ family have been brought up on Jack Russell's and she would love one but alas working life hasn't allowed us to do this, yet. In any event, we are very sorry if our guests felt this way or we have caused offence. We can only think it's a misunderstanding or even a case of mistaken identity! We will strive to investigate the mystery but yes, pet owners and their pets are most definitely welcome!
Sykes owner relations