2A Bridge Apartments Harrogate, North Yorkshire

I am posting this due to the fact at Sykes has been investigating this complaint since 2nd October, and despite transferring it to a staff member on the 14th, I have still not received an satisfactory response. Oh yes, I have received 5 emails, either acknowledging receipt or asking me for feedback. Feedback indeed, what do they call the first email on the 2nd which was in response to their first request? Yesterday I received one asking me to grade them. I thought it had come from Sykes, but when I clicked "send", it was a Trust Pilot review! I had booked the accommodation, then looked on Trip - big mistake, should have done that first. There was one review detailing, dirty condition, dirty bins and a broken step. After I had sent Sykes email on 2nd October, I accessed Trip and, hey presto, the Review had disappeared. 2a Bridge Apartment - Masham We are appalled at the condition in which we found this premise, especially as I had contacted Sykes previously and made them aware of a Trip Advisor Review and their telephone assurance that the premise was clean. Fortunately, having received their "standard" email recommendations prior to our visit, I took cleaning equipment with us. Sunday 27th September Worktop dirty - bits of food Cutlery drawer contained "bits" and the cutlery was streaky Sink was stained and the drainer dirty - black mould behind the sink Laminated floor had been swept, but was grubby Bedroom furniture was dusty This necessitated, as I am sure you will understand, the cleaning of everything listed - apart from the floor, I left that. I do not expect to spend the first hours of a holiday cleaning. Monday 28th September. The shower rail, controls and walls were streaky so I sprayed these with my cleaner. I also sprayed the showerhead. Black mould came off onto the cleaning cloth. When I complained to Sykes I attached a photograph of the black mould on the cloth I used to clean the showerhead. I don't know about catching Corvid 19 from unclean premises, I think we were more likely to catch Legionnaire's disease from the thick black mould: this is only part of the mould, I left the remainder on the head. This is a serious health risk. It made us shudder to consider the implications if we had used it. I telephoned the Owner, who assured me the Cleaner had visited the premises "the day before"; after viewing the photograph I sent him, as she lived locally, he asked her to visit and replace the showerhead. A young lady arrived, informing us that she is not his Cleaner, she sorts out any problems that arise: that he employs Contract Cleaners. Her comments were that she was as appalled as we were at the condition of the premise. She changed the showerhead, cleaned the cutlery drawer. She - of course - agreed that I should not have had to clean the premises. There is an instruction, on a Blackboard, about placing rubbish in the outside bin and ensuring a brick is kept on top as the pub dog raids it! Collection day being Tuesday. No collection Tuesday. When we returned to the premise on Wednesday, the lid was off the bin and rubbish was strewn around. Because we had not used the dustbin we left it, it was disgusting. Due to this, when we vacated the premise today, we removed our rubbish sack from the kitchen bin, and left it in the kitchen, leaving a note as to the reason for the "Cleaner". The bottom of the kitchen bin is filthy and smells disgusting. One more point, the damaged steps leading down to the premise which Sykes had assured me would be repaired when the Owner visits. Comments in the Visitors' Book detailing the damage to these steps go back to 2016.

When we arrived at the cottage another couple were already in it .. The hotel where we supposed to pick the keys up from had given them out to another couple who had booked it for the weekend after . When i went to pick the keys up from the hotel the staff told me they had already given them out . As we arrived at 4pm and the other couple had got there at 3pm they were already unpacked and sat in the cottage. We then had to knock on the door and the other couple realised it was their mistake . We then had to wait an hour and a half to get in the cottage we had rented from 3pm while they packed back up again . The owner was informed by the other couple that it was their mistake , but never called or offered any extra cleaning. Given the current climate with covid 19 we then had to clean the cottage ourselves on arrival which took another hour . This was not the relaxing break we imagined .

The location is great.. Easy to park nearby. To be honest there is nothing really wrong with the apartment except that it is a bit old fashioned with a feel of the 1980’s. That in itself is not an issue - it’s just that the decor and styling don’t match up to the cost of the rental. You’d expect a higher spec for the price.

1. First impressions weren't good.. Your guide refers to 'off road parking' but doesn't say where this is (other guests have mentioned this previously). We couldn't find it so parked in the pub car park. There was a broken step leading down to the property, the window and front door were both filthy. The kitchen flooring is very badly laid and some of the planks move, there are also gaps in the flooring. 2. During the stay. Your guide says the property has been 'renovated to a good standard'. I disagree, it looks very tired and could do with a decent makeover. All the furnishings and fittings look tired and some look quite shabby (settee and carpets e.g.); the bed is also very uncomfortable (again mentioned by previous guests). Your guide also refers to a 'front seating area'. We couldn't find this either - unless you mean the communal bench opposite the pub car park. The kitchen area wasn't particularly clean (disappointing given the current situation with COVID-19) and the bin outside hadn't been emptied so we had nowhere to put our rubbish (hence not emptying the kitchen bin when we left). the property would benefit from having WiFi installed, especially as the mobile signal is very poor in the apartment. It must be said the shower was very good. 3. The overall location is great, North Yorkshire is beautiful and has a great deal to offer and there were some great dog walks nearby too. Masham itself is a delight with some great pubs and fantastic shops selling local produce. The White Bear Inn (right next door) is also highly recommended and the local Co-op is really handy and well stocked.

Had a fantastic weekend.. Lovely apartment with everything we needed, and loved Masham. We will definitely be returning

It was all very nice, smashing village great pubs within walking distance.. Yorkshire really is a wonderful county. Only a couple of slight niggles the dustbins are right outside the front door and not very tidy and there are steps down with no light.

Fabulous weekend spent in Masham.. Apartment wad lovely, will equipped and nicely presented. Cosy and good location. Only one downside (And I am being picky not day this sorry) would be the bed as it had a footboards which when we are both 6 ft tall makes for a bit of an uncomfortable nights sleep. The sofa I the lounge in pull oiy though we didn't notice until the last day, .the white bear and the Black Sheep Brewery and bistro and just being. Both good range of address lovely food and friendly staff, also dog friendly in the bar areas. The bruce and in the square is also good. We enjoyed our stay and will definitely plan to return

We really enjoyed our stay at 2a bridge cottage,would definitely recommend to family and friends.. A great base for getting out and about..my only recommendation would be for a outside light next to the door. highly recommended.

Lovely self contained apartment, next to white bear Inn, very nice food but bit expensive.. So didn't eat there a lot. Masham nice little village with nice walks. Only drawback lack of WiFi within property. I had to keep going outside to find signal.

The cottage was superb and we will definitely return just a shame there was no wifi

Lovely little apartment.. Great location for exploring Wensleydale and surrounding area. Very handy for both Theakston and Black Sheep Brewery’s. Clean warm and cosy with everything you could need for either a short break or a longer holiday.

A very comfortable and cosy cottage, it was the base for our winter holiday.. ..we were in the grip of the worst winter weather for years.(the beast from the east) yet having the white bear hotel with its excellent food and beers on the door step..along with a garage and Co op supermarket..and the close proximity to the town center with all its pubs and eating houses and shops..the deep snow was of little inconvenience...especially as the local roads and pavements had had the snow cleared each day ...fantastic time and I would recommend a stay at Masham in this cottage to anyone...

The location of the apartment is great, everything was in walking distance.. Even though we knew there was no WiFi we would have liked it!

Lovely cottage, lovely town.. Had a great weekend. White Boar well worth a visit - had a lovely meal there a couple of times.

Not really sure there is any point in sending back any reviews for the holidays .... Not really sure there is any point in sending back any reviews for the holidays as we have never received any response regarding previous holidays we have had with you,

When the upper cottage was occupied, all noise was easily heard by us.. Otherwise, a very nice stay.

Excellent position for facilities in the village and a good base to explore all North Yorkshire. Cottage really comfortable and homely, that's why are returning for this second holiday.

A very cosy comfortable apartment in a lovely area, everything we needed was there. The Apartment gets 10/10.

A great apartment that had everything we needed. It was more than big enough for the two of us and our dog.

The location was excellent, nice and central for all the attractions that we visited.

Had a great time. The Apartment was very welcoming, warm, cosy and clean on arrival and contained everything we needed for our stay. The Apartment was very close and within easy walking distance of lovely places to eat and drink. It was very easy to get parked close to the apartment.