Guests say
The Steading in Dalmally offers a tranquil setting with stunning views and direct loch access, ideal for family gatherings and exploring the highlands. Guests appreciate the spaciousness, cosy wood burner, games room, and the welcome pack. While some maintenance issues are noted, the charm and location often outweigh these concerns.
Reviews on cleanliness are mixed, with some guests finding the property spotless and others noting issues with cleanliness, such as blocked showers and unclean areas. The property seems to require more thorough cleaning between stays.
The location is highly praised for its beauty, tranquillity, and proximity to the loch, making it a fantastic getaway spot. However, some guests mention the remoteness and the need to drive to access local attractions.
Guests find the property comfortable, with plenty of seating and a cosy atmosphere. Some concerns are raised about the quality of mattresses and pillows, particularly for those with allergies.
The property boasts appreciated facilities like a well-stocked kitchen and games room. However, several reviews cite maintenance issues such as leaks, appliance malfunctions, and the need for updates, which affects the overall score.
Many guests mention a welcome pack, which is a thoughtful touch, although it should be noted that such gestures are subject to change and may not be guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
The Steading is a gorgeous detached cottage surrounded by rural woodland and Scottish open countryside in the estate of Sonachan House, with the exceptional Loch Awe in reach. Perfect for a family gathering, this stunning abode offers charm and character, mixed with stylish fittings for a luxury stay. Make use of your very own private pub in the games room, a unique addition to the home where Saturday nights can be spent pouring pints and catching up over pool and darts tournaments with a handy fridge under the bar to stock up with extra beverages if need be, whilst low-key afternoons can be spent with a captivating book in the peaceful conservatory. The ground floor houses two beautiful bedrooms, including a charming twin and a double room with its own luxury en-suite shower, perfect for those with limited mobility. The third bedroom is located upstairs, comprising of a stunning double with countryside views and access to a family bathroom where you can unwind and relax. Settle down after a long day of adventure in the first-floor living area, boasting characterful features throughout exposed brick walling, oak beams and snug décor, here you can throw together a hearty home-cooked meal in the amply-equipped kitchen before sitting down at the dining table with a well-deserved beverage and views out to rural woodland and countryside. Spend a frosty winter's evening in front of the woodburning stove and TV, or open the balcony doors on a summer's day as you take in the sunshine and exceptional views all year round. Find an external utility holding all your essential holiday needs, equipped with a fridge/freezer, a washing machine and a tumble dryer. Access the first-floor exterior and private garden area from the front of the property, following several stone steps up to a private AstroTurf area where you can enjoy woodland views with a morning cup of coffee. The Steading is a charming property where you and your loved ones can relish in rural Scotland. Note: This property can be booked with Ref 1054855, together sleeping up to 11 guests. EPC Rating: Band D
Lochawe is a quiet village resting in a rural corner of Argyll and Bute overlooking the serene Loch Awe, boasting a historic chapel, a steamer pier and a train station, as well as a local store and pub. There are plenty of popular attractions in reach, such as Kilchurn Castle, Ben Cruachan, Cruchan Hydro Power Station, and a range of adventurous walking and cycling trails. Lochawe is the perfect destination for a peaceful getaway.
Accommodation
Reverse-level accommodation.
Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor double with en-suite shower, basin, WC, 1 x ground-floor twin and 1 x first-floor double.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
First-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining and sitting area leading out to balcony.
External utility with fridge/ freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer.
Games room/ bar.
Conservatory
Oil fired central heating and woodburning stove.
Range cooker with electric oven and gas hob, microwave and fridge in kitchen, TV, radio, WiFi, pool table, dart board and bar with fridge in games room.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for three cars.
Private multi-level garden with seating, BBQ and access to woodland.
Cot and highchair available.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop 10.7 miles, pub 2.3 miles.
Note: The garden is not enclosed and dogs may need to be kept on leads outside
Reviews (27)
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Kelsie
My partner is badly allergic to dust and on day 3 started heavily sneezing and struggling to breathe, the property isn't dusty but I think possibly the central heating being on caused it and the radiators maybe need a deep clean. Although self catering, the lack of dish soap to wash dishes was a big disappointment, there was 1 bottle of kitchen spray and 1 bottle of bathroom spray but no cloths, and only 1 replacement kitchen sponge, one big bag supplied at the property etc, for somewhere so rural I think this is a let down as there aren't local shops to pop out and get these things, and it would be a big advantage to the stay to be able to properly clean up. There was also a lot of pots, cups and plates, plenty casserole dishes bit no oven trays to cook anything on which left us having to use the muffin baking trays to cook chips etc The kindling wouldn't burn well at all, not sure why as we got the fire going then the wood just charred and went out, possibly good to have slightly more small bits of wood as the livingroom and fire is lovely. The games room is great and as there was a storm during our stay let us keep busy, plenty games too and good TV options/signal. The water pressure is really really bad, to the point you almost can't run a tap upstairs, the bath water ran filthy and full of bits, and as others have said down stairs shower was far superior. The upstairs toilet barely flushes, would be concerning if there was a party of 6 adults for sure. The livingroom and dining area are both very cosy and well furnished, the main sofa cushions are definitely suffering a bit from usage and possibly would benefit from being swapped with the one against the wall, but plenty seating and a lovely cosy feel. We both enjoyed our stay, we actually didn't find the 3rd upstairs bedroom until our last day! Thought it was a cupboard door! It's a nice property but certainly needs a little bit of time and love to clean up the grout, cobwebs etc but it was still a lovely stay with a lovely bottle and sweets left for us, beautiful setting too by the water, bit of a shame it is private for the lodges however and you can't get near the water but still beautiful. I don't think it would take much to get the property looking a bit better/cleaner and maybe add more cleaning products to help out. Property was lovely and warm and heating easy to use and very effective, good number of lights/lamps for different areas and to get cosy, maybe could supply a warm blanket in the livingroom for couples to cosy up in at night. Overall loved the stay, just a few little things that could improve it.
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Esther
Had no hot water in kitchen, upstairs bathroom we couldnât use shower as water pressure meant no hot water etc. 6 people using the en-suite shower downstairs was ridiculous and took ages to get going in morning because of it. Had to boil kettle to wash dishes. The curtain rail in upstairs bedroom fell down middle of night and by holes in wall this looks like not the first time this has happened. A lot of cobwebs in house. Washing machine and freezer in outside shed but washing machine didnât work. The conservatory door wouldnât open and again you need to go outside house to enter it. However well equipped house. Peaceful location. Didnât report faults as seen in loads of various posts previous with same issue and nothing done about it. Please also note that this is a shared driveway and house opposite looks into The Steading. Photos donât show you have houses all round you. Also the table and chairs in photos are nothing to do with this house.
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Perry
The kitchen operated as you would expect , beds comfortable and all in all a nice place to stay . Now the not so good bits!!! . The conservatory being of wood construction was rotten and of single pane glass and damp!, the main bathroom shower although new would run cold due to lack of water pressure ?the owner said he would look at it but it never sprayed warm or hot water while we were there which is NOT good with adults needing showeres!. The water from the taps comes out BROWN!, I spoke with the owner and he assures me that it was safe to drink........no proof to us of this fact so we bought water in daily for drinking. These items are not acceptable and I will be in contact with Sykes in due course.