The Lodge is more spacious than it appears on line. It is well equipped throughout.
The Lodge is completely overlooked by Ploony Hill Cabin at the top of the hill (with the hot tub in full view) and is actually surrounded by the three other holiday homes here, all in close proximity. If you look at the comparison between the older photos of the Lodge's exterior, seen on the booking portals, and some recent photos in this review posting, you will see numerous discrepancies. Not least the above, and the fact that the exterior of the Lodge looks tired and in need of TLC.
We experienced poor communication in the run-up to our stay here (a polite question was completely ignored by the male owner). Unfortunately Sykes Cottages was the only portal via which the booking could be made, so I would have lost the whole cost if I'd cancelled the holiday at that point.
I was waiting for a parcel to arrive. Actually some bird feed, because there was none here. The female owner dropped the parcel in to me 24-hours after it was delivered to her cottage. It could have been something vital.
As I write, somebody suddenly appeared at the back window - an unannounced visit by the owner - to clean the hot tub. Quite a surprise, I have to say. She rapped on the window and her first words were "Control your dog," who at that time was sitting down indoors and had barked once at the sudden intrusion.
In fact this was all either of the owners had to say to me, aside from the female owner following up "Control your dog," with the usual cover-your-backside "Is everything all right" and "Do you need anything." I wasn't about to strike up a conversation. I just wanted to put the rudeness behind me.
You will be sharing the broadband's basic-speed bandwidth allocation for the complex with the three other holiday homes, so expect barely useable broadband at peak activity times.
The heating has been set to be barely warm. I have been cold in the living and sleeping areas from start to finish. Among the many diktats in the information pack, the owner actually says "Don't touch the heating."
Another odd thing: in the arrival instructions, one is told to "Hoover up (sic) thoroughly before departure," with the insinuation you may lose your housekeeping bond otherwise. Complacency has many faces; this particular one is not very pleasant.
I have found this whole experience depressing. This is not what a holiday should be like. Thank goodness the owner of the place I am going next is communicates and conducts business in a civilised manner.