Big Cottages & Group Accommodation in Strathpeffer

Reviews

What our customers say about their holidays

• Ellie - Verified booking

  We have used Sykes before and booked this holiday as we felt Sykes could be trusted to deliver a good standard of accommodation.

  However on arrival at the cottage we were very disappointed. The fence bordering the cottage is falling down and the back garden was overgrown to the point that we couldn’t even get into the ‘pretty seating and barbecue area’ that was advertised. After two days a gardener arrived and cut all the weeds back but I still had to clean down the outdoor seats which were covered in algae and bird waste before we could use them. Inside the rooms were as advertised and we were quite comfortable. However it felt in desperate need of redecoration. Wallpaper was peeling off the wall and ceiling in the living room and many of the carpets were stained. One of slats on the double bed was broken, although the mattress was actually extremely comfortable. We were also concerned about the general cleanliness of the cottage - there were dirty oven gloves and tea towels in one of the kitchen drawers, the cushions on the kitchen chairs were filthy and dirty tissues were found under beds in two of the bedrooms. The cottage is in a lovely area with lots to do and has a playground opposite which makes it good for children.

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• Reas - Verified booking

  On arriving we noticed the garden had not been properly tended for a long while, everything was over grown with suckers and weeds.

  the back door looked worse for wear and has had many poor repairs. entering the house, on the surface it seemed clean, but really needed a deep clean, all maintenance was a bare minimum, which ruined the cottage. the coffee machine is broken. and while we were out the gardener broke the glass next to the front door. although a deep clean was needed, there was no smell to the house. it had all the facilities you could need fro a 2 week stay, but as the garden was unusable there was no line to hang washing. The major problem was the bathroom window, the house is not secure because the bathroom window would not lock shut as there was no closing mech/handle. this was mentioned in the visitors book and would hope that the owner knows. While it didn't ruin the holiday, I would not stay here again, as I would fear non of the repair done and the house would be in worse condition. Its a shame as the house has much potential, great location, and friendly neighbours.

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• Rhys - Verified booking

  What a lovely house, big, spacious rooms clean and full of everything you need, a real home from home.

  Although it was just 2 of us, it's certainly big enough for 8 and it still wouldn't feel crowded. Tastefully decorated with a Scottish charm. 2 log fires, 1 in the living room and kitchen for those cold winter evenings, a traditional Aga stove which was easy to use but for those not brave enough there's a ceramic hob and fan assisted oven. Pizza oven in the outside kitchen and the hot tub were just the icing on he cake. Contact with the owner was easy and she was very responsive when we had a question prior to arriving and during the stay. Round and about there are plenty of walks, amazing waterfalls, castles and historic places to visit. There's a co op which is well stocked 5 mins drive and supermarkets within 15 mins. Not sure if the pub was closed due to it being November but Inverness is 20 mins away and worth the visit. All in all we would highly recommend Orinside.

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• Diane - Verified booking

  I am sorry to say that the cleanliness and general state of repair of the cottage was really disappointing.

  The place needed a deep clean, there was a used tissue under the bed, the bedroom was very dusty and the bathroom light fitting was full of flies. The downstairs bedroom and kitchen both smelt strongly of damp, the bathroom window wouldn't open, the sealant around the bath was mouldy and the wall paper was coming off the wall and ceiling in the lounge. We were unable to empty our recycling into the bin for collection as this was full. This hadn't been emptied by the council as it had glass in it. I reported both this and the bathroom window to the owner and also contacted yourselves about the bathroom window as soon as I arrived. Neither issue was resolved during our stay. We would have liked to have left the property in a cleaner state, but the vacuum cleaner was ineffective and I had to resort to using a dust pan and brush on the lounge carpet.

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• Ellie - Verified booking

  We couldn’t have asked for better to spend our Christmas vacation.

  Orrinside is just beautiful, specious, well equipped with lovely decorations up for Christmas. Some fabulous nods to the distillery next door too. We enjoyed cosy nights in with the the log fires burning and even enjoyed the hot tub under the canopy whilst watching the snow fall. The bedrooms were vey tastefully decorated and all 3 bathrooms were spotlessly clean with underfloor heating and towels, robes, slippers and soap available for us all. Communication with Emma was 2nd to none and nothing too much trouble, giving hints and tips of where to go and even giving us advice on cooking Christmas dinner in the Aga and had she even put Christmas crockery there for us to use. I wouldn’t hesitate on staying at Orrinside again next time we are up and will be highly recommending it to everyone!! Thank you from us all for a fabulous stay xxx

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