Don't bother to look anywhere else because this is simply the best holiday I have had in the UK.. From the outset, this trip with my large group was brilliant, all down to wonderful hosts. The hosts Andrew and Felicity (Flic) were most accommodating, allowing us some flexibility with nights stayed and turnover times to suit those of us who had to drive back home for work after the Bank Holiday Monday.
Upon arrival, the cottage was a wonder to behold inside and out. Beautifully crafted and time and care was taken to complete it to a very high and professional standard, especially with the furnishings too. Even though there was plenty to do outside, you would not be disheartened about staying in if the weather takes a turn for the worst because indoors is an experience in itself. The beds were very comfortable and no one had any complaints about them, and the place was spotless too. The facilities were great - the gas BBQ was enough to keep churning out chicken and burgers for 10 hungry men 2 days in a row, internet was very fast with no drop in the connection for those who needed, and there are plenty of games puzzles and even TV. The gardens around the cottage we learnt have been kept by Andrew's father, Philip, for the past 20 years and they are just beautiful. On the first day we went around exploring them only to find a suspension bridge built across a valley with a river which I later learnt was built by said Philip! This on top of the fact the cottage was built by the hosts too was simply amazing.
I've stayed in cottages before where the key was left in a lock box and I never even met the host before so this was the first time ever meeting a cottage's owner, and Andrew was most helpful during the trip, coming to make sure our water was running, checking if we needed anything, leaving us a beautiful hamper with local produce on arrival, and just being a joy to talk to and learn about the surroundings and also his and Flic's own history.
The surrounding nature and landscape was nothing like we had seen before. We went down to Loch Awe which was beautiful to walk along, and found paths up into the hills and mountains for those of us who liked to do so, but best of all was we discovered a little rock pool at the foot of a waterfall just 10 minutes walk from the cottage. After we met with Andrew after and told him, he enthusiastically told us that we went to the wrong one, and that there was an even bigger waterfall and pool just 5 minutes away! Which we promptly went to and this was certainly the highlight of the trip which we would have missed had it not been for Andrew's local knowledge. Andrew, put it in your brochure! Your guests will miss out!
All in all I honestly couldn't fault the hosts nor the accommodation and I am sure had I had any issues, the hosts would have been more than accommodating and helped us in any way.
Thank you Andrew, Flic and Phillip for an amazing stay and I will most certainly be returning, hopefully when you've installed your sauna!
Regards, Mo
PS if you like dogs then there are plenty to play with who just love guests