Sykes Cottages Reviews

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

1.2 Rating 1,480 Reviews

4 %

of reviewers recommend Sykes Cottages

Company Reviews

Questions

Metrics

1.2

Based on 1,480 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

Sort by: Most Recent Most Recent Highest Rated Filter: None None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“It is incredibly rare for me to leave a negative review, I always try to be balanced, however, for Sykes I will make an exception. If it were possible to leave zero stars I would. As a birthday treat for my wife I booked a 3 night star at Ellen Cottage in Burford, (Cotswolds). This was not a cheap weekend break, and with both my wife and I working for the NHS we were looking forward to a short break away, which we hadn’t been able to do for over a year. Everything looked clean and as expected on check-in at 6pm, but on returning from getting dinner we noticed pet hairs all over the bedding and duvet in the master bedroom. None of the emergency contact numbers worked, so we had to use what we could from other beds, even though they didn’t fit, which led to an uncomfortable night’s sleep. The next day we contacted Sykes who said they would get housekeeping out to put this right. As we were out for the day, and not able to easily get back to the cottage we agreed they would come round at 5pm. After a number of calls chasing, housekeeping finally arrived at around 6:30pm. The girl who came to the door saying she was from housekeeping was incredibly rude to my wife, saying she did come here for this, and actually laughed at my wife when she was explaining how annoyed she was with the situation, and that it had spoilt our trip. We then complained to Sykes who lodged a complaint and said they would look into it. To cut a long story short Sykes refused to accept responsibility for the state of the bedding, blaming the owner, who they said the cleaners worked for and advised us to contact the police to take our complaint further if we wished, at this point I almost lost the will to live, their suggestion being so ridiculous. They have now refused to look into it any further have closed our complaint without any compensation. I will never use Sykes, of any of their affiliated organisations again, and I strongly suggest others don’t either.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Sykes properties are very poorly equipped. Absolutely minimal supplies of toilet rolls, soap, kitchen stuff like dishwasher tablets. No oven gloves. Contrast Air BnB places we’ve stayed at have cupboards full of everything you need to make your stay easy.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“If there are any problems with your Sykes Cottages holidays, they will pass you straight over to the owner and deny any responsibility. Our main issue was not with the owner, the holiday cottage had been marketed incorrectly and we did not get what had been described on their website. As Sykes Cottages wrote the marketing material, you would think they would admit errors - especially as the owner in her reply to my complaint said that she had raised concerns with Sykes how her property was being marketed. Despite many emails and phone calls to Sykes, they will not admit any responsibility. Our holiday was not ruined but we would not have chosen that property if it had been accurately described and it certainly wasn't value for money. Their customer service is extremely poor so beware when booking with them. Study the photographs VERY carefully. Don't trust what is written.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“We live in Texas and booked a trip to the Lavender Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold in March, 2022 through Character Cottages (now Sykes Cottages). We paid nearly GBP300 in deposits last November, but since found out our daughter is expecting and shouldn't travel with Covid risks. We requested to postpone the trip to the Summer of 2023. The Lavender Cottage owners said we could only postpone to later this year, but not 2023 (which makes no sense given a newborn can't travel later this year). We asked Sykes if they would refund the GBP300 if they successfully re-booked the Lavender Cottage. They said "no, it's not in our booking policy, but take it up with your travel insurance". This is not coved by travel insurance. Anyway, we are disappointed with the Lavender Cottage owners and Sykes for not being customer oriented and hiding behind their policies which would never cover every situation.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“We booked for my hubby’s 50th for July 22. Be very careful to look at the photos carefully! Very misleading and Sykes are very unprofessional but you live and learn. Literally booked a holiday Saturday and then realised Sunday that the 3rd bedroom is the only access to the back garden which is not great when it’s someone’s private bedroom and we have a dog. Nothing mentioned in the details. Rang on the Sunday to get answer machines and when we rang Monday they said we didn’t try hard enough and should have used google for alternative numbers. Over 24hrs no refund. You are also forced to take out holiday insurance which we did and seems we are not covered for cancelling ourselves. All in all by not looking at one picture closely we have lost money we can’t afford but at the same time I’d sooner book with someone else or not go anywhere than pay more money. Customer service was awful although my husband did speak with one guy who was very polite but didn’t take his name. Shall not be using Sykes again so just watch you look closely at those pictures as not everything is listed.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I booked a holiday cottage in October 21 to travel this year in July 22. I paid the deposit and we were looking forward to it. January 22 we looked at the cottage details and they had some added bullet point’s. These specifically said the garden was not enclosed and there was a low wall onto a main road. I knew these weren’t in the description when we booked at we had a dog who was 7 months old. Sykes disagreed and sent me a spreadsheet with the dates the changes were made which were months before my booking. I still dispute this as I would never had booked the cottage because of my dog. They would not let me book an alternative cottage and would not pay any of the deposit back. I cancelled the cottage with 6 months notice so the cottage can be resold. They wouldn’t give me the owners details so I could deal direct with them, despite my booking being between me and the cottage owners. I also said I understood them being refunded for costs but that I did not think it fair taking the full deposit. They would not entertain any goodwill gesture at all Warning. Please make sure you screenshot your holiday description at the time you book so you have proof of what you booked so if they change anything you can refer to it! I just had a link to the accommodation so I could look at the cottage at any time. But this doesn’t give you proof when they make changes. They will say that is what you booked. I will ensure my family and friends are made aware of this company and I would not recommend them to anyone. So unreasonable. I lost over £300 and what is worth I feel I have been scammed”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I don’t Sykes look over properties properly or interview their owners as owners can be pretty rude and uppity yet not too uppity to need to re their Cottage out!”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Sykes have been great”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“No regard for data protection. Did not agree to any emails, yet they keep email me. I would not recommend this company.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“My wife and I have booked through Sykes for the last 3 years.varoius places and types of property. No problems what so ever .Refunds very quick during Covid times when we had to cancel.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“As the owner of a holiday home in Cornwall I have never been so let down by a letting agency. Our home was completely ruined by a family from London, gate posts broken, furniture broken, litter scattered around the garden, buckets of sand left in the shower room, 10 sacks of rubbish left stinking in the corridor - I could go on - Sykes weren’t bothered - referred us to their insurance company who we’ve never heard back from 6 months on. Such an upsetting experience, when I tried to cancel further bookings, I was fined! A letting agency I can never recommend to owners of holiday homes - they will charm you into taking your property then drop you like a stone when you need help - be warned!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I booked a SOUTH VILLA IN THIRSK for our family Christmas and my mums 50th birthday (on boxing day). After driver 6 hours from Surrey to Yorkshire on Christmas eve, the property was covered in flies and wasps. My husband and dad spent 3 hours killing as many as they could but it kept coming back. I texted the owner who said it was strange as there was never such a case before -- THERE WERE FLIES THAT HAD BEEN THERE SO LONG DUST GATHERED ON THEM ON THE WINDOW SILL. The rooms were unuseable and 3 of my family member slept on the floor or sofa. Even though we had spent over £2,000 of the weekend! My 1 year old baby was crawling around and picking up dead flies from the floor. His first Christmas and my mums 50th birthday was left in such a bad note, no one was comfortable in the property. Had it been closer to home we would have driven back the same day! When asking the owner for compensation she offered £200. When I reported it to Sykes they would only talk to me after i left the property. The owner had been standing outside but lied so we would not question her about the property, she informed us new customers were coming in a hour. HOW CAN YOU MAKE A PROPERTY FOR 8 PEOPLE COVID CLEAN IN 1 HOUR???? When I raised this to Sykes they DID NOT CARE! Once I left they were unhelpful and did not get back to me. Finally got a call and was told if the owner doesn't get back to me after 3 days they will compensate me 20%. I continously emailed and called and was told there was no response from the owner. After 3 weeks of chasing I got an email saying the owner will not compensate and therefore the case is closed. When I called up I was told they can't help and I should have spoken to the owner as they are just mediators. No one informed me intially or I would have contacted the owner. Really sad that the health and safety of properties is not being looked into. Had my son or anyone else been stung by a wasp this would have been a much more serious case. But we were smart enough to close the doors of that room and not use it but just sleep on the floor instead!!...merry Christmas..”

Sykes Cottages 1 star review on 13th January 2022

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“We have tried to make a complaint to Sykes following a stay at a property booked through them but have met with resistance either by promised phone calls not returned or by them quoting the 'Data Protection Act'. The member(s) of staff we managed to speak to were either unco -operative or rude and obstructive, even when we threatened legal action. Avoid this company if possible.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“We rented a cottage in Northumberland and the place was frankly disgusting. It needed cleaning , was very, very dirty and one bed had not been changed. A waste of money and very poor standard. Also the wood burning stoved were stuffed full of rubbish and plastic.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“I’m surprised that people are still using this company. I had a run in with them early 2020 and eventually got my money back thanks to Martin Lewis and the CMA As they say once bitten twice shy This company should not be allowed to trade they are completely unethical Don’t believe the solicited reviews you read on the likes of trust pilot There’s also a reason why they are now advertising so heavily on TV and the likes, they are having problems lol Serves then right”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Sykes are a business that take your money but take no responsibility that it’s web site information about holiday properties is misleading. Please be aware that Sykes is a business that even fails to even acknowledge it’s customers problems and but accepts property owners bad practice.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“The staff who manage the cottage hosted by Claire at Jacob Woods in Silsden are not there to give any customer satisfaction. Claire tried to scam us of £250 for a tiny dent in the fridge that we did not do. The evidence provided was a blurry photo and Claire decided that warranted buying a whole new fridge. Helen at Sykes, instead of advising against it and suggesting at most to charge us a 5th of what she's asking for and keep her fully functioning fridge, she went ahead with taking £250 out of my account with no confirmation from me whatsoever. Helen should be advising Claire that wear and tear is a common thing when renting out a property. Thieves. Would not recommend them to anyone”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“We have used sykes cottages for the past five years and have never been disappointed, the dog friendly cottages are absolutely fantastic places to stay, catered for you and your pet. We have stayed in Devon and Cornwall and can highly recommend their accommodation. Five stars from The Hirsts... and of course Grace woof..”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“Never book in this company they very bad”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

“If your thinking of booking a cottage through this company, PLEASE DONT. They don’t care if the cottage you book has problems and make your stay so miserable you leave. They don’t care if the owner of the property tell lies regarding the description of the cottage or wether the standards are kept updated or even if the property is clean. I didn’t chose The weir cottage at Cromford Matlock but unfortunately the property I did chose had a flood and Sykes forced one cottage after another at me even when asking about a refund even though it was Christmas, oh no they didn’t want to part with my money. At one point I asked for them to confirm the fact I had been told about the booking fee been returned because of the short notice which was a day before departure, oh no the person was really forceful and tried his hardest to make me sign. Every time you make comments to their poor behaviour, the phone gets put down. I’m a Christian but regardless of my faith I asked if the owner like many other companies, if there would be a tree up but I was shocked to be told no sorry but you can bring your own but no I don’t cater for Christians. How many people put a tree up but may not have a faith but it wasn’t asked because of faith but the owner and Sykes thought it acceptable to be so small minded. My list of my terrible experience could go on but you will be only ok with this company if your property and the owner cares about your stay because Sykes don’t, they just like your money. Cant answer the question on how long Sykes takes to responded because they didn’t.”

Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

Sykes Cottages is rated 1.2 based on 1,480 reviews