Dunlin Cottage | Bamburgh | Waren Mill | Northumbria (2024)

“Great location with a secure garden, safe for dogs questionable.”

We arrived to find the freezer was solid with ICE and the door wouldn’t close not allowing the opportunity to place anything. Cleaner arrived to collect the dirty washing bags, we informed her who informed us that she had reported on a couple of occasions and kindly left with the washing bags. On the surface the property was clean and then when we moved the two single beds into a double the vacuum had to come out.Day 2 we left and upon our return we couldn’t gain entry due to the key ...

We arrived to find the freezer was solid with ICE and the door wouldn’t close not allowing the opportunity to place anything. Cleaner arrived to collect the dirty washing bags, we informed her who informed us that she had reported on a couple of occasions and kindly left with the washing bags. On the surface the property was clean and then when we moved the two single beds into a double the vacuum had to come out.Day 2 we left and upon our return we couldn’t gain entry due to the key barrel lock not working. We contacted the two owners on several occasions with no response. Due to having a six-year-old child we then contacted Sykes cottages who tried to contact the owners on several occasions, again no response. Two very kind neighbours who could see I had two ladies and a child who was in distress provided a contact number for a locksmith. I once again contacted Sykes cottages to inform them that I could have a locksmith within the hour which granted was the bank holiday Sunday to be informed that they do not manage the maintenance side and had no authority to confirm either way and asked if I could wait.It became evident that we had left an opener open in the first floor bedroom window. A neighbour kindly provided a ladder and I 68 years of age had to climb through the top opener of a bedroom window to gain access. After we had finally gained entry the owner text me to see if I had gained access and informed he had called on the house phone and left a message. We then had to wait 48 hours to allow I believe the locksmith who initially fitted the lock which was under guarantee to fix the door and to repair one of the two rear doors. A property with three external doors and only one working provides confirmation of maintenance that is carried out. Locksmith arrived and repaired the main door and managed to adjust the second door that along with the second rear door needed adjustments.Having previously read other peoples comments and responses provided by the owners, we did take photographs and yes we did report accordingly to the owners. The freezer remained as we found it apart from having to scrape ice of on a couple of occasions to allow the door to close.Lessons learned. I will definitely ask before hiring any future cottages who is in charge of the maintenance and to make sure my daughter isn’t taking a photograph of her dad climbing through a window. By the way went viral. Sykes cottages- need to look closely what they are managing and especially how they are maintained. Owners- need to maintain the property by planning rather than being reactive, have a system in place to check that the property is clean and make sure the facilities and amenities are in good working order and respond accordingly. I believe this is the very first time I have made any formal complaint. And I trust people reading my feedback is here to help support all concerned as like all of us we want to have a comfortable stay with all amenities that is stated.