16 Westgate South

So the cottage is charming in a lovely location.

However, there are cobwebs that have been there for ages, spiders in most corners (all individually pointed out by our toddler), the back door is not secure, and the oven didn't work when we arrived. It was fixed halfway through our stay, at which point we'd had to throw away the food we'd bought to cook in it. No refund was offered to cover the food lost. The shower would be much better if it wasn't broken so only half the water comes out of the end, and if the extractor worked, as this was causing mould in the bathroom. Lastly, the fire risk assessment may not be accurate currently as the handle on the back gate is broken, so there is only one escape route unless you want to climb a 5ft wall. I have seen that some of these issues have not been fixed since previous guest reviews, so they are not new problems.

We adore staying here at 16 Westgate South, Crail.

We've stayed for our honeymoon in 2023, my father's 85th birthday in 2024 and this 3rd stay provided a perfect recharge for my husband and I before starting his new job!! My father was born in Dundee and my Granny lived in Crail for many years. My entire childhood was spent in Crail and my husband has also fallen in love with it's charm. We tried to purchase our own property recently but were unsuccessful this time. We very much hope to be successful in the future, but 16 Westgate South feels like our own little home every time we stay. Thank you for such a beautiful home in our perfect location xx

This is a lovely cottage.

So close to the village with a fantastic bakery, butchers, cafes and pub. Loved the walks around the fishing villages nearby with lovely cafes. The cottage has a lovely view of the sea from the upstairs. We loved watching the sunrises when weather permitted. The only problem we found was lack of kitchen equipment. Not very good knives or tin opener. Also only 2 pans. A dishwasher but not very many plates so not worth putting the dishwasher on. We have been to this cottage twice so we do like it. Just needs kitchen utensils updating and more plates.

Property was in a great location and perfectly adequate for our needs.

I wouldn’t stay in the winter months as the renter has no control of the central heating and both back and front doors did not seal, by some margin. There was no back door key and therefore no access to the advertised outside terrace. This was also potentially a safety risk. These items were pointed out to Sykes by phone and e-mail and all we got back was automated replies. The service from Sykes was non existent. There was no number given for direct contact to the owner.

Lovely cottage - would highly recommend.

Clean, well furnished and well maintained property.

However we found it chilly in the evenings. The central heating system was set by the owners to provide a comfortable temperature in the house. We did not find this comfortable and while the boiler was working for water, the heating never came on. The owners instructions were not to alter the boiler settings and there was no alternative source of heating.

The small patio area was lovely to sit in when the sun was shining.

A sun spot all day and sheltered from the wind.

Property was nice and clean everything you need the view in the little garden was amazing would definitely recommend.

The property is beautifully presented and extremely well equipped.

But it is impossible to warm it up enough for it to be cosy, or even comfortable. Changes should be made to the settings on the (obviously new) heating system, and instructions given on how to change the temperature.

The cottage is in a great position for visiting this lovely part of the Fife coast.

It is well furnished with lots of seaside artwork and objects. Unfortunately the poor maintenance of the outdoor area and the out of date information folder really make it feel a bit unloved, which is a shame. Once we had worked out the heating controls we were reasonably comfortable, much of the feedback relates to holiday makers feeling cold. In an old cottage with single glazing this is not surprising. The outdoor bins need emptying but there is no information about bin days etc. We could see that some of the visitor feedback has been acted on but a bit more attention to what it feels to stay here, and information about how the cottage works, would improve the experience significantly.

This cottage is in a wonderful location, perfect for a visit to Fife at any time of the year.

The cottage was very well equipped and very clean. It was good to see that previous feedback seemed to have been taken on board, notably with respect to updating the TV and the electrical safety checks. Would definitely stay at the property again.

Absolutely loved our time in Crail!

The cottage is beautifully arranged with a lovely nautical theme. The closeness to the beach and harbour made for easy early morning and late night walks. The cottage is well equipped and neat. We have already decided we will return!

The cottage is perfect for exploring the coast and not far from St Andrews.

Got everything in it, kitchen well and newly equipped, shops in the village. Lovely lawn behind the house overlooking the bay and port. Bonk beds in the small bedroom were comfortable even if this second room is tiny. We had a lovely time and would highly recommend it.

As a family we have holidayed in crail since covid and have stayed in 4 other holiday homes, all of similar price points.

This was the poorest to date and I would not recommend. On a positive note, the kitchen looks to have undergone a refurbishment and was well presented. The kettle didn't turn itself off after boiling, am not sure if thus was meant to be the case? The living room has nice sofas and other furntiture, however the TV remote still has a switch for VCR which gives away the age. A basic SMART TV costs 150 pounds, another key down, especially for my children, who don't get to watch TV often, but when they do like to have programmes to choose from. The shower was hot and powerful. The beds were comfortable. Now the negatives, the heating can't be altered and at night the house can be cold. I don't ask my young son to wear a housecoat to bed at home, and don't think I should have to on holiday. With standing the shower, the bathroom was poor. The extractor fan has about 2 inches of dust on the outer casing, which no doubt impacts on it's functionality, as there is black mould on the ceiling. The inside lining of the drawers were dirty. Finally, the outside of the cubicle also needs cleaned. The cottage was marketed on having views to the sea, this was greatly impeded from over grown bushes and with weeds / wildflowers growing through the decking. Moreover, I actually had to brush the decking before letting my toddler out to play. In regards to upstairs there is a complete lack of storage and many of our clothes remained in suitcases, which were placed with difficulty under bed in main bedroom, due to owners personal effects also being storedunder there. On our last morning I used the iron, which was also poor, but noticed the safety testing was out of date. Having a quick look at other electrical items, this was not a one off and I noticed the extension cable behind the TV and the freestanding lamp in the living room didn't appear to have undergone safety checks. I am utterly appalled at this completely lack of basic health and safety. To say I am extremely disappointed is an understatement. Had I noticed the lack of basic health and safety checks noted above, we would have left the cottage and requested a refund. I would be grateful if someone from your company could call me in regards to the issues I have raised.

I provided detailed feedback in the visitors' book.

The cottage is very good in many ways. We would not book it again because the downstairs bathroom is too inconvenient. We would recommend some improvements: the wardrobe in the bedroom is inadequate; the sitting room and bedroom should have some form of screening on the windows for privacy; the shrubs should be cut back to provide sight of the sea from the kitchen and patio; the TV needs updating as the picture quality is very poor.

Lovely cottage in a great location, facilities as described.

Beautifully presented cottage in great location.

However very cold in the evenings and no way to change heating and only 1 thin extra blanket provided. No toilet roll on arrival and modest welcome pack compared to all the other cottages we’ve stayed in (biscuits and milk). Tv very dated and temperamental. Bunk bed very uncomfortable for an adult with a wafer thin pillow. It’s such a pity as everything else was spot on. In spite of these comments, which can be easily rectified, we would return.

This was our 2nd stay and we loved every minute of it again.

The cottage is very clean and extremely well stocked with utensils, cutlery and crockery. The washing machine, dishwasher, hob, oven and microwave are very high quality but simple to use. It totally feels like a home from home and we had some beautiful weather. Penman and Greens are a delight to shop in and we had lobster and crab from Reilly's. I used to spend every minute on school holidays at granny's in Crail, down there at the harbour with Harry the grand dad and Paddy the father of the current owners and I met their sons, 4 generations!!! Thank you so much for another wonderful stay for me and my father. We were celebrating his 85th birthday. Our hearts belong to Crail and we'll be back again asap.

Loved the cottage and the quaint fishing village of Crail.

We were initially apprehensive having seen a previous review where the standard of cleanliness in the cottage was reported as very poor, but on arrival the cottage was very clean; beds were all freshly made up, bathroom wax spotless with clean towels and, kitchen very clean and well equipped. All kitchen appliances worked and heating came on and off when it got too cold! Only complaint was that the TV for later in the evening was unwatchable as the booster switch/box for the signal was simply not working. Otherwise an excellent week away in a beautiful location. Not sure how accurate the listing of adult bunks is as although we didn’t use the bunk room - it seemed quite a tight fit and the bunk beds had children’s type bedding on them.

See complaint No.

COR-364178-CF The housekeeping of the cottage was poor to say the least. Stained carpet, dirt crumbs, old clothing under the sofa cushions. Dirty cutlery and crumbs on drawers. Old food in cupboard. Finger or toe nails on bedroom floor. Poor or no TV signal. Wall light not working. Patio had slimy boards with rubbish on it and weeds. Poor offer of compensation. We should really get our money back as we had to cut the holiday short because of the conditions.

Had everything we needed for a perfect week stay.

Very clean, exactly what we had hoped for. Very cosy cottage and we will definitely be back!

I stayed in Crail most of my childhood and visit fairly often.

I was delighted to see this property so booked it for our honeymoon 20/11/23 for the week. The property was exactly what we envisaged. Cozy, well equipped and a nice Tunnocks surprise!! The shower was better than some 5* hotels. We were really sad to leave as the weather was beautiful and dry Clear blue skies and the May Isle visible every day. We can't wait to come and see you again!!

Characterful cottage.

Comfortable. Great location

Had a fantastic week in the cottage.

It was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen had everything required and the views were outstanding.The cottage was just as described, full of lovely touches. Would love to come back again.

Great cottage and great location.

Lots to do around the area. Cottage had everything you need and was very clean.

A beautiful cottage located perfectly within Crail with amazing views of the harbour.

Everything you could possibly need is available. Stunning decor and very comfy beds, especially needed after lots of walking! Lots of local amenities on your doorstop. The butchers and bakers were wonderful. The fife coastal path can take you up to Anstruther and is one of the “easier” walks with flatter terrain. Make sure to try out the ice cream as a well deserved treat from the fish and chip shop once you reach Anstruther. A fabulous bus service on your doorstep which can take you up to St Andrews and as far as Leven. Cambo gardens and St Andrews aquarium are a big hit! If you get to the aquarium by 12 you can watch the seals and meerkats feeding time which was fascinating. Take the time to explore Crails pretty little side streets and scrumptious cafes with the best cakes! Can’t wait to go back already! You will have the most relaxing time is the perfect cottage.

I have already published a review about the cottage on VRBO, which was excellent.

But I would like to comment on your service at Sykes. Twice I needed to contact Sykes, once to ask a favour and once when we accidentally locked ourselves out of the cottage. Both times the colleagues responded immediately, were extremely friendly, understanding, and efficient, and went out of their way to help by contacting the owner and making sure everything worked out. Regrettably, I do not have their names to thank them personally. I would rent via Sykes again without hesitation. I hope to do so. Thanks!

Thank you.

We really enjoyed our stay! The cottage is perfect in every way, we didn’t want to leave, The cottage has excellent facilities and fantastic sea views. Crail is a very picturesque fishing village, one of many along the Fife coast. We enjoyed interesting walks along the Fife Coastal path and made use of the excellent bus service. We also visited Scotland’s Secret Bunker, Cambo Gardens and St. Andrews.

A lovely, cosy wee cottage.

Ideally situated in Crail. The cottage had everything we needed except we couldn't find a potato masher.....not a great problem. The only real gripe we have is not finding any information in the folder concerning bin days, re-cycling or instructions on how to use the oven, dish-washer etc. Other than that, perfect.

Lovely little cottage right at the top of the hens ladder that leads straight to the harbour & beach.

Lovely place ❤️

The place was lovely with amazing views.

My family and I all really enjoyed our stay

We really enjoyed our stay in Crail.

The village had lots of lovely shops, cafes and restaurants and the coastline is stunning. The cottage was very comfortable and had everything we needed.

A lovely cottage, very comfortable, two nice sofas, I would like to live there.

The village of Crail is beautiful. Just a few niggles, a lack of space to store food in the kitchen and clothes in the bedroom. We also struggled with the shower, turn it on to what we thought was the maximum point and it kept running cold, the maximum point was not the maximum point, make sure you turn it past the first tight spot. Over all we loved it, very nicely decorated, no parking but we had no problems find a spot out on the road.

first class

This house was just perfect for us and having an outside area to sit in the sun was a lovely bonus.

We had everything we needed and there is a great fish and chip shop just along the street - best chips ever.

Really lovely cottage very clean and comfortable.

Only downside was the downstairs bathroom but appreciate this was the only place it could be. Tried but could not open back gate ,nevertheless no problem caused great view of the sea and harbour from the rest of the building. Please replace towels within larger ones !!!!

Lovely property with a modern and well fitted out kitchen.

Unfortunately, the cleanliness of the grill and oven pans was not acceptable and we had to purchase appropriate cleaning materials. Overall a great week in a very nice cottage. We locked ourselves out of the property one evening and support from Sykes was superb .... solved within 30 minutes!

We really enjoyed our stay in Crail.

The cottage was really clean, well equipped and comfortable. We loved the presentation of the cottage and it’s beautiful situation. A perfect base for walking lots of stretches of the Fife coastal path - the number 95 bus was great for getting back to our starting point. Would return again - loved Crail as a base too. Thank you!

Fantastic cottage with sea views from the kitchen and bedroom.

Great location with everything you need on your doorstep.

The shower stall needs a proper clean.

The double bed sags. There is black mould on the bedroom windows. The sofas need replacing. The living room door is wedged wide open by the carpet resulting in drafts from the front door. The door in the second bedroom can't be closed because of the bunk bed frame. Would I go back? Lovely village and great location but would want standards improved.

We had a lovely holiday and the accommodation was more than adequate and amazingly well fitted out even to the extent of 2 pairs of binoculars, games puzzles etc.

However I have one point I would like to raise and that although the cottage was very clean and well appointed some of the towels and bed linen had a slight odour as though they had not been washed in a high enough temperature or had been folded up and put into the linen cupboard before they were properly dry and aired. The location couldn't have been better for us, a very short walk to the harbour and a very good bus service as well. We would definitely go back.

Lovely little cottage that was a great location to explore Fife.

Crail is a beautiful habour village too. The cottage had everything we needed and we had a pleasant stay. Would have been useful to have some hooks in the children's bedroom for clothes as there isn't much storage. The shed was great for storing our bikes and our 5 year old daughter appreciated the kids books, bucket & spade and games to available too. The cottage was also very clean on arrival.

Small bedroom was so small that the door would not close because it hit the bunk beds.

The storage space in the small bedroom was almost non existent. The gas fire in the living room did not work which was a big disappointment as the weather was chilly a few of the nights. The sofas were well past their best. There was no lamp in the living room only the main lights. The kitchen knives were blunt and there were very few glasses and plates. The iron was black on the sole. The shower unit needed a good clean and you had to pass through the living room and kitchen to get to the bedroom.

Enjoyed our stay.

On the whole clean but dirty glass in bathroom. Also says there are dishwasher tablets - only a container with empty wrapper and no other tablets. Would be helpful to label the bins to know what goes in each. Also only mentioned fridge but large freezer so would be good to mention this.