“In theory the perfect cottage for 3 adult couples.”
This Cottage has the potential to be superb, but isn’t. The rooms are spacious, plenty of sofas in the sitting area, very comfortable beds. The kitchen is huge with lots of empty cupboards and drawers. Large fridge freezer. It is clean. We had a lovely holiday here, but I would not return for the reasons given below.
The cottage had a surprisingly low review rating - noticed when I paid the final balance - thus requested Northumberland Coast & Country Cottages twice to ensure rather basic things were fixed before we arrived. This worked partly. A few hundred pounds expenditure is all that is required as this cottage will meet its potential.
What was fixed:
- 6 dining chairs with no protruding screws,
- 1 new roll per loo in the ensuite bathrooms.
- All light bulbs worked.
- New roasting trays.
What was not fixed by area:
Inadequate kitchen utensils - bring your own if you plan to cook.
- Poor quality knives, not sharp, and no sharpener provided.
- Mixing bowls - just one very small one.
- No salad bowl or any other bowl.
- No serving dishes.
- No non stick implements for the non-stick pans.
- No Casserole dish
- Nothing to make a pudding in.
- Insufficient crockery or cutlery - we were always washing up a few things, despite putting the dishwasher on daily.
- Bring your own washing up liquid - we bought some and left it for the next renters. You are given the smallest bottle known to man.
- Bring everything you require to cook (No oil, no pepper etc provided).
- Microwave button about to break - So on its last legs. This had not been mentioned in previous reviews.
Inadequate furniture:
- No chest of drawers in any room - you will keep your clothes on the floor, or suitcase. There is a small wardrobe in each room.
- No shelf in any bathroom. A simple glass one above the basin would be a huge improvement. We used the floor.
Windows
- Window catch broken in downstairs bathroom area so it won't stay open.
- No window locks, very basic security.
Bathrooms:
- The downstairs shower does not drain properly, so your feet will be in an inch of water.
Outside
- Dog poo from earlier renters by the washing line. We collected all ours and didn’t add to it.
- Gate is not dog proof for small dogs. You need to put pieces of wood and flagstones along the bottom. Could easily be fixed by putting wire netting along it. Luckily our dog, who was very happy here, wasn’t particularly adventurous, if yours is, it will get out.
- The upstairs shower doors have been replaced with curtains. The original shower doors have been dumped in the garden by the washing line.
Note:
1. The downstairs ensuite, is part of the bedroom, with no wall or door in between. Not what we wanted.
2. The parking is very tight for 2 cars, particularly in they are both large.
3. You are expected to strip the beds and put into a laundry bag.
4. Extractor fans in bathrooms unbelievably noisy - you can turn them off.
