Holly cottage, Higher Kinnerton 1 week in October, 2019 This was our 5th (and last) weekly cottage booked through Sykes during our 6-week UK visit. The previous 4 cottages had either met, or exceeded, our expectations, but not Holly cottage Arriving at 3pm we were greeted by an apologetic cleaner who explained the cottage was not ready for occupation. The clean bed linen was in a padlocked trunk which could not be opened, and the cleaning supervisor was in the process of obtaining bolt cutters and would return shortly - and that was the start of the saga. The cottage was hot, very hot, and smelt strange too. It seemed the heating had been left full on with the thermostat registering over 27 C. The smell appeared to be from the dishwasher, full of unwashed dishes, which the over heated cottage had amplified. The supervisor returned with large bolt cutters and promised (if we could return in an hour and a half) to have put into effect the linen changes and cleaning. Having little option, and no alternative accommodation within easy reach, we agreed and returned later. Instructions for the cottage could not be found although at previous cottages all had these left in a prominent place. We did find these, much later, at the bottom of a drawer with many papers on top. The cottage heating proved to be faulty as lowering the thermostat setting had no effect on the radiators output. We did manage to turn off all but one of the radiators and reduce the temperature to 24 C by opening windows, but the lounge radiator remained fully on for the whole week in spite of all efforts. The dishwasher problem was sorted by setting it in motion, then emptying the contents. The washing machine was never used as it had hair along the door, plus a sock left inside. There was also no drier, or washing line for drying clothes. The oven was unclean, hence not used. The microwave was used, once it had been plugged back in via a difficult to reach socket behind the fridge. The TV when turned on had Polish? set as its language and it was not until the following day we managed to reset the language to English. The main cable was also unplugged (as our Polish instructions had been telling us). In the kitchen an overhead light was flashing constantly but we were unable to remove the globe and so had to endure this problem as well. We have emailed the list of problems to the owner (who does not live locally) with the added suggestion a local person is needed when help is required. Still waiting for some compensation. Sent to Sykes Cottages as feedback. These comments were never published by Sykes. Favourable comments sent in regard to the previous 4 cottages however were all published.