Sykes Cottages Reviews

Name: Sykes Cottages
Address: Sykes Holiday Cottages Lime Tree House Hoole Lane, Chester
Rating: 1.20

1.2 Rating 1,478 Reviews

4 %

of reviewers recommend Sykes Cottages

Company Reviews

Questions

Metrics

1.2

Based on 1,478 reviews

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Own Driver
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Over A Week
Customer Service	1.1 out of 5
Returns & Refunds
Refunds Process	Difficult
Returns Process	Could Be Better

Phone:

0124 435 2059

Location:

Sykes Holiday Cottages Lime Tree House Hoole Lane
Chester
CH2 3EG

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Sykes Cottages 1 star review on 8th November 2024

Anonymous

Sykes Cottages 1 star review on 2nd November 2024

Anonymous

Sykes Cottages 1 star review on 18th September 2024

Julie

Sykes Cottages 1 star review on 22nd June 2024

Anonymous

216

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

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“Terrible rip off company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“We took my mother on holiday to Pool Barn in Shropshire on the 5th July for her 93rd birthday there were 4 people in our party. We arrived late Friday Night. We made the booking based on the descriptions and photos as described on Sykes Website for 6 people. I have later learned are put together the descriptions by the owner and a member of staff from Sykes. When we arrived at the cottage it was apparent on entering , there was a strong smell of damp throughout the barn and even more so in the en suite twin room downstairs that I was sharing with my mother. On going into the en-suite the smell of damp was even stronger with silver fish in the shower tray ( an indication of extreme damp). The toilet and shower facilities upstairs were not fit for purpose for two six foot adult males and could not use the toilets standing up and had to sit down. The shower was so small that even the owner who came over the next day agreed that it was a struggle to use not only for someone of for that height, but was not safe as the openings for both the door and shower door were not big enough. But suggested that the downstairs shower could be used for anyone over six foot !!! as long as they didn't mind the smell of damp and the silver fish I presume !! There is nothing that relates to height restrictions in the details at all. The lounge was so small that even with four of us the TV was impossible to be watched with the lounge door open. The property had also been listed for 6 people, there were only 4 chairs in the kitchen so to have 6 people stay, again as described, it would be impossible for everyone to eat together ! We contacted Sykes the next morning, to be told that the owner would come and see us to see what could be done. The owner did come over after a period of time and we highlighted the miss leading descriptions on the website. The lady had " No sense of smell" so could not identify the damp smell and didn't know what silver fish were. We then proceeded upstairs were by her own omission said that she could see the struggle. The lady also said and I quote " there was no argument that it was not fit for purpose" So not to spoil my mothers birthday and the fact that we had travelled three and half hours, I asked Sykes to find us an alternative property for us to go into that day. No phone call was ever received. We then contacted holidaycottages.com who could not have been more helpful. I explained the situation that we had found ourselves having been totally let down by Sykes. We then booked a property with them so not to ruin the week for my elderly mother who by now was so upset on the prospect of having to possible go home. Holidaycottages.com were so professional, caring and empathetic. I gave Sykes time when we returned to contact me regarding the whole sorry experience and the refund but there wasn't any contact from them. So after two week I contacted Sykes. Only to be told that they have to ask the owner for a refund, I asked that someone could call me back the same day, but no contact. I shouldn't have been surprised given the service that we had previously received. I then called again today and was told that the owner has now refused to give a refund. The fault lies with both the owner and Sykes for allowing the property to be advertised and could potentially fall under the The Property Misdescriptions Act 1991. I was told today that Sykes are just the agents for properties but they have a "duty of care" to both the owners and the customers to provide a safe and fit for purpose environment as advertised. I was told that there wasn't a manager available to speak to me and wouldn't be 24 to 48 hours. I will never use Sykes again and will not recommend Sykes to any members of my family or friends. I await a phone call however given the appalling service that I have received I know that it will have to call again. I await your response”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Booked craven cottage bridlington. Sykes gave it 4 ticks which we took as 4 stars..there is no way this cottage is worthy of 4 ticks. It probably hasn't been inspected for years..they fail to mention how tatty the inside is. Also the cottage backs onto a road..misleading. we complained the same day we got back which is what the contract tells you to do. I took photos of the problems. But they didn't want to know. Customer service is awful We got told you should of complained to the owner. Why should we have our break Interrupted with a cleaner and nessary repairs. This cottage should of been cleaned and put right before allowing us to stay. The owner couldn't care less They had our money..as for sykes misleading us is a disgrace.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Booked cottage in the Lake district via Booking.com. Sykes contacted me to say cottage no longer available due to urgent work. I requested a refund. Then Sykes go silent. So its s thieving scam company. best avoid”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“I have booked with them tired to change it no response and after 30 phone calls and lots of emails I finally spoke to the owners who told me the booking cant be changed ,and still no response from skype cottages who claim its nothing to do with them anymore , well is just a terrible service people at the service really don't know what they are talking about , they just take your money once they have it they dont want to know I know have a holiday that I cant change its paid in fall and i cant go they should be shut down they really should , the only think I can do is small claims now as they wont give me the complaints line or email”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Customer service absolutely appalling how r still running a business is beyond me”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Sykes are impossible! They do not have email. They have stopped using the telephone. They do not reply to letters. The so called customer portal does not work. The web chat does not work. We are being approached by scammers for payments, but Sykes take no notice. I have never come across an outfit like this in many years in business. Never again will I use Sykes.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“Property cinders loft listed with 3 bathrooms, but only 2 bathrooms, paid a premium for this. Sykes said it was up to the owner to recompense, but not Sykes problem if they didn't. Customer service non existent. No reply from owners.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 months ago

“I booked a cottage in May last year and paid deposit. The holiday is for this September. I looked at the reviews last week and they were just awful, as they were on a different cottage holiday website. One particular problem is with the shower leaking down into the living room, plus the cottage is dirty. A lady who booked the cottage for June this year asked Sykes if the shower had been fixed before she went. They assured her it had been fixed but when she arrived it hadn't and it spoiled her holiday. You can't speak to anyone at Sykes because the phone keeps cutting you off. Messaged them on their app to cancel my holiday and waited a week before it was cancelled. They are refusing to refund my deposit, despite them being in breach of their booking terms so now I'm having to appoint a solicitor. Avoid this horrible company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Shockingly bad customer services, this company is clearly doesnt care about their reputation and is chasing profits only because there is literally ZERO customer services, you message them and they say the chat isnt available, after they make it available on the website and let you type away, there is no email facility, the support with booking section is to rigid so it doesnt appy....no phone number. Literally impenetrable ! Last time I will book through this company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“We made a booking through Sykes which was accepted and we received a confirmation email of our booking. A few months later we were told by Sykes that this was now cancelled as the owner had taken a personal booking and it was therefore now double booked and ours had to be cancelled. The other options we had looked at were no longer available at this stage and whilst Sykes sent us some alternative options, none of these were of appropriate price, standard or location. We therefore had to book elsewhere and ended up paying double for the accommodation of our trip. When talking to Sykes, we were told that it was completely at the owner’s discretion and they could accept and then cancel a booking whenever they liked with no repercussions. Obviously, this came as a huge shock to us as it is a terrible business model for anyone booking with them so we would highly advise against using this company, as we know companies such as Airbnb would not allow this. R.e. compensation for our complaint, we were told Sykes could not do anything and it was entirely at the owner’s discretion, which obviously we never then heard back from. On investigation of this, we found this was a complete lie by Sykes (according to their terms and conditions found online) and they could provide us with 20% compensation following our complaint. I have now tried to call Sykes a number of times and requested call-backs and nobody has contacted us. We think this is completely unacceptable and would strongly advise people to avoid booking with this company at all costs.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“We booked to go away in October 2024 but had to cancel due to possible relocation in that month. We cancelled in June so gave plenty of notice. We took out their insurance as a precaution. Do not waste your money. It is with a third party company Called Davies Group Insurance and is not worth a penny. There are only three ways that you will get your money back - loss of limb, certified illness and death. Sykes are impossible to get hold of. Companies like this should not be allowed to operate. Consistently bad reviews and no customer service to speak of. We lost our money but with the bad reviews I think we got away lightly. Both companies should be ashamed but doubt that they are. AVOID.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“My parents stayed at Thatched Cottage in Chipping Campden. The cottage was dirty, garden a disgrace. The toilet was faulty and bathroom out of action for three days. After complaining Sykes phoned and said they would offer some compensation only for this offer to be withdrawn. Sykes obviously do not care about their customers and are happy for them to stay in sub standard accommodation. Do not use Sykes, they are a disgrace.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Terrible customer service, well, no customer service at all. I accidentally booked the wrong dates, I asked for a date change within 2 hours and they point blank refused, even though the dates I wanted were free. This was through AIRBNB , who were brilliant and sorted me a full refund. Do not book a cottage through Sykes!”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“So far, not been able to contact at all. My account says I have no booking. Spent a whole afternoon trying to get in touch, finally after hours searching ( nobody answers the phone), I've found an email. The voice says contact through WhatsApp, but it's a landline. Ridiculous.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Booked a holiday, took ages as you want to make sure you get the right place and do it right. Get a phone call the following day to say we have cancelled your holiday. No explanation, just it's not available for that week. I said ok your issue so give me the week before same price and I'll be happy with that. The week before turned out to be 200 more expensive and they had the cheek to ask for more money. I'm like, wait a minute, you've wasted my time because you've double booked me, own your mistake and accept the loss and learn from it. No budging, wouldn't do anything that'd put them at a loss, but they were very keen to try and sell another rental!! Unethical company, wouldn't trust them. My kids are very upset, thanks to an incompetent and greedy company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“A week before our stay we were informed of building works next to the property. It turns out these are major works with loud noise and disruption 8-4pm weekdays (our stay is tue-fri). Skye’s are not responding to any communication and have not offered and kind of compensation or refund despite knowing about the work and having previous complaints that the building work ‘ruined’ previous guests holiday! There is no direct way of getting in touch with them or the direct host. The property is single glacéd and directly neighbours the building work that has the portalo backing onto the garden!”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Beware of booking with this company, they accused us of causing damage to the property we stayed in and took charges out of account without our permission. No photographs of alleged 'damage' and they waited over a week after we left before telling us. Absolutely disgusting and would never ever recommend again!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“They are just impossible to get in touch with. Phone number takes you in circles. I’ve used their recommended forms of communication as well and no one has got in touch after 4 attempts. I’ve used WhatsApp, email and their online chat service and not one reply except for a survey asking about how they did!! Terrible”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

“Genuinely awful customer support. With a booking (and reference code) in hand I tried contacting them to ask to extend a booking via phone, (diverted to app) via the app (chat didn’t work, booing not recognised) and via WhatsApp. 4 hours later no response. No one to talk to. Nothing beyond an automated message saying they’ll come back to me. Will avoid and recommend avoiding.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 months ago

Sykes Cottages is rated 1.2 based on 1,478 reviews