Elfin Cottage, Porthleven

Lovely little cottage. Ideal with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. As we had 2 dogs, it was nice to have an enclosed garden. The cottage is close to the harbour and a lovely fish and chip shop. The place was clean and tidy. Beds are very comfy (2 doubles and 2 singles). Everything you need for a holiday is included in this cottage from hair dryer to ironing board. Parking is limited near the cottage but plenty in a car park next to the local shop, just a short walk to the cottage.

Having hoped for a peaceful and restful holiday in a Cornish cottage, I am sorry to advise that the lasting memory from our stay in Elfin Cottage will be the barking and howling of two black Labrador dogs from the cottage opposite which occurred constantly throughout the week. The situation reached a climax late on in our stay when it appeared to us that the two dogs had been left unattended overnight and were barking and howling continuously throughout the night. It would seem that our concerns were not alone as the matter had been reported by someone to the RSPCA; whilst packing up on our leaving day, I noticed a RSPCA Officer speaking with someone at the front door of the cottage adjoining the dogs’ one. I wrote to Sykes, sent it recorded, but no reply after nearly 2 months. I wrote again this week complaining, sent it recorded, got a reply with 2 days with a limp apology for why my first letter hadn’t received a reply (no explanation offered, presumably it had been overlooked) and advising that the situation was outside of their and the owner’s control, so apologies were offered by both Sykes and the owner, but nothing else. Needless to say that I shan’t be staying at Elfin Cottage again and I shan’t be booking with Sykes again.

If you have booked this cottage for 2022 and paid over £1000 cancel it and go else where. I contacted the company I booked with as I looked at reviews after I had booked and heard nothing very going and it was not clean - they were right. Company assured me the owner took complaints very seriously - NO I asked for a stair gate as being firework weekend my dog is very frightened of them and I did not want her running upstairs to hide - no stair gate so put a chair in front of the stairs It states cottage is for 6, there are only 4 dining chairs and 2 in kitchen - does some of the group have to eat in the kitchen, not suitable for 6. It said there was a dehumidifier as cottage damp, and nothing evident to say there is one. Cottage was not clean and I have sent photos to the letting company and waiting to hear back but am not very hopeful as they said they would get back to me after I contacted them about other reviews and I heard nothing. Lets hope the right of the week goes well.

Very disappointed with this cottage. It was very unclean and was much smaller than it looked in the pictures. Although the sofas quite comfortable they smelt strongly of dog. The garden furniture very uncomfortable and dirty so unable to sit in the garden. Limited utensils in the kitchen and one of the beds had not been made so we had to ring to ask for extra bedding. It was also difficult to find parking near the cottage. Location for Porthlevin very good as only a short walk to the harbour but on a steep hill so wouldn't be suitable for everyone.