Guests say
Guests consistently praise 'The Hide' for its stunning views, spaciousness, and well-equipped kitchen. The property's cleanliness and the host's helpfulness are frequently commended. While some minor maintenance issues are noted, the overall experience is highly regarded, with many expressing a desire to return.
The property is repeatedly described as tidy and spotless, indicating a high standard of cleanliness. Guests have been very pleased with the cleanliness upon arrival.
The location is celebrated for its convenience and the gorgeous views of Strangford Lough. Its proximity to Newtownards and local attractions adds to its appeal.
The property is generally found to be comfortable, with a well-equipped kitchen and cosy rooms. However, some guests noted the seating could be more comfortable, particularly for older visitors.
Facilities are well-regarded, especially the kitchen. However, points were deducted for maintenance issues such as a leaky shower and the lack of a second shower for larger groups, as well as the absence of WiFi and double glazing.
While the reviews reflect a positive experience with the host's communication and helpfulness, there is no mention of gifts or special touches that would fall under the category of thoughtfulness. Therefore, a score cannot be provided.
About this property
Newtownards 4 miles. Set within the countryside on the edge of Strangford Lough is this detached cottage. With views out across the water, this spacious property is a convenient base for families or friends looking to stay near Belfast. The large kitchen has a dining area where the whole group can gather together and there is the added benefit of an adjoining utility which provides extra space for preparing meals. There are two receptions rooms, a larger sitting room where you can watch TV and watch the water on the shore and a cosy snug with an open fire which is a lovely spot to curl up with a good book. Both rooms have large windows which make these spaces very light and airy and the snug has a door out to the patio area. The bedrooms are set across the ground and first floor and are made up of three doubles and one twin room. One of the ground floor doubles is set in the corner of the house and looks out over the sea which is a lovely view to wake up to. Outside there is a small seating area where you could enjoy a morning cup of tea before heading out for the day. The nearby town of Newtownards has everything you will need during your stay including many shops, pubs and restaurants while Belfast is a hive of activity with something for everybody. Nearby is the National Trust property of Mount Stewart with its beautiful house and world class gardens and for nature lovers Strangford Lough is noted for its migrating birds especially the Brent Geese that arrive in their hundreds for feeding in the autumn. The Ards Peninsula has lovely beaches and a number of golf courses and there are delightful villages dotted along the coast for you to explore. A short ferry ride will take you from Portaferry to Strangford Village and the National Trust, Castle Ward where Game of Thrones was filmed, then return to Newtownards via Downpatrick, visiting the St Patrick centre to learn about the Irish saint. This lovely cottage is a fantastic base with easy access to a number of attractions and places of interest.
The town of Newtownards lies alongside Strangford Lough on the Ards Peninsula, just 13 miles from Belfast. Just on the outskirts of the town are the Scrabo Golf Course and the Kiltonga Nature Reserve is a great place to spot birdlife and enjoy a walk around the lake. Nearby Belfast is jam-packed with culture, history, events and great food so you wont be stuck for things to do.
Accommodation
Four bedrooms: 2 x ground floor double, 1 x double, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, basin and WC.
Ground floor shower room with shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen with dining area.
Utility.
Sitting room.
Snug with open fire.
Oil central heating with open fire.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, TV with Freeview, DVD, selection of books, games and DVDs.
Wifi.
Record player and selection of records.
Fuel, power and starter pack for open fire included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair and Travel Cot available on request.
Off road parking for 8 cars.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop and pub 4 miles.
Reviews (29)
-
Ian
Everything was spotlessly clean. The rooms were filled with sunshine for our visit and the light was beautiful. The Hide is ideally located for exploring this beautiful and interesting region and we particularly enjoyed Mount Stewart, Ulster Folk Museum, Bangor Castle Walled Garden and drives along the shore - it was wonderful to see the bird life there. Ruby, the owner, was extremely helpful and accommodating. We really enjoyed our stay here and would recommend this lovely holiday home.
-
Tammy-jane
I will say Sykes weren't very helpful but the owner was fantastic in helping with the rebooking for the new dates and very understanding. The house is beautiful, the entrance hall alone was amazing. The kitchen is lovely and big and the perfect communal area, even when preparing meals the rest of the family could sit around the table and chat and no one was getting in the way. Having the two sitting rooms was perfect because if anyone wanted to have some quiet time they could, my partner enjoyed listening to a couple records in there. The view is stunning and I loved just sitting by the window with a cuppa. There is a tesco less than 10 minutes away which was perfect as we done a large shop but still had to pop in most days for bits and bobs. We met the owners on the last day and they were very friendly. We will definitely be back again in a couple of years (would be sooner if we hadn't already booked somewhere for 2025).
-
Helen
The large kitchen area is ideal for meal times, and games; of which there is a great selection. A few large serving spoons would be helpful and two of the saucepans had seen better days. The shower room door leaked. The sitting rooms/relaxing spaces were restful with beautiful views over Strangford Lough. The entrance hall with its book cases and easy chairs is a lovely welcoming and relaxing space to read or chat.