Sunny Cottage, Staindrop

Just got home from a lovely week at Sunny cottage. The cottage is beautiful and set on the village green with lots of walks straight from your doorstep. The cottage was clean and tidy and equipped with everything you could need for your trip away. (Was shocked at seeing previous review!!) There was an information book telling you about the cottage and things in the local area. We will definitely be back. Diane , Richard and two fur babies ❤️

Staindrop is a pretty village, and on arrival the cottage looked lovely sitting on the green; but as we got closer alarm bells started ringing. First impressions are important in this business and a poorly fitted gate was not a good start. Cables and hosepipe springing from the ground; black bin bags and leaves left from autumn piled against the hedge was the next thing. The front door was poorly painted (as was most of the cottage) with paint on the handle and glass, and was dirty. Going inside, the cottage has bags of character with the exposed beams, and wonky walls (which we can forgive as we love old properties) but it didn’t take long to discover the filthy beige dining chairs (why not have darker colours or removable covers in a dog friendly cottage?), balls of hair on the floor, mud on the footrest, radiator covers that fall off at the slightest touch and had splatters of plaster on them which had just been painted over, poorly. The radiators themselves were thick with dust too. We found a knife in the knife block still dirty, and the dust on the knife block was disgusting. The microwave was unusable due to the rust and the smell of it. Whilst we’re on appliances, the dishwasher door (which was also dirty) wouldn’t open properly (kept dislodging the plinth) as it has been poorly installed; and this is due to the washing machine also not fitting properly. The edging down the side of the units was damaged and there was a screw trying to hold it all in. On a safety note, the fire blanket was barely reachable (unless you’re over 6 feet) and above the cooker hood where you’re likely to have a fire. When I went to bed I had to remake it. The (very poorly) fitted sheets had only been tucked under the mattress topper; and whilst making it I discovered some nasty stains on the sheets; and also that the top of the bedside table was not secured, and had attempted to have been with a bodged diy multiple screw attempt. Further to this, neither headboard is attached to anything, and the socket behind the bed is loose and a child could easily get their fingers behind it. The light above one of the beds also didn’t work (it wasn’t the bulb as I swapped it). The lights also had paint on them. No valance sheets on the beds too, felt like I was in a dodgy bedsit. In the cupboard was loose plaster and dusty shelves, and an empty vodka bottle. The bathroom didn’t fair well either….mouldy sealant on the shower screen, lumps of something on the bath, poorly fitted bath panels which have started to crack and grow mould, a sink unit you can get your hand behind and a curious piece of loose wood wobbling around behind it. White stuff stuck on the walls, and webbing from the plasterers tape still visible around the architrave. There were also cobwebs in all the velux windows. The finish of the woodwork in here was terrible, with big gaps visible. The main bedroom was probably the neatest room in the cottage, although there was dust down the back of the bed and the back of the bedside cabinet needs a lick of paint as it looks terrible when you walk in. The stove was a welcome respite though, and it felt cosy when it was roaring. We told the owners of our issues on the first night and all we got back was ‘we’ll let our housekeeper know’. No mention of a visit or what they could do to remedy it. We also requested compensation from Sykes Cottages who refused and said it was the owners responsibility; and they also refused. Hence this review as I am always willing to give them a chance. Hopefully they see this as constructive feedback.