Devon Self Catering cottage, 7 Thurlestone Rock, Thurlestone, sleeps 6

Nice Place, Horrifically managed - Filthy
We recently stayed at 7 Thurlestone Rock, and based on the listing, photos and reviews we look forward to it (First holiday post-lockdown) We were thoroughly let down - Let me explain The property is ideally located (you honestly cannot get better), and very spacious with 3 bedrooms,2 bathrooms and a lounge area that gives superb beach/sea views across 2 angles. The owners have all their bits and pieces across the property and you are encourage to use as you wish (books, dvds, game, binoculars, even some paddle boats, canoes etc.) However there are 2 major drawbacks to the property 1) Being a ground floor flat we were subjected to kids running and thumping (loudly) across the floor and could hear when someone went for a tinkle - not great!! 2) It is horribly let down by the management company (Sykes AKA Coast and Country). The property has not had a thorough clean in months and that clearly shows across all the mirrors, ornaments and general items.This has led to the dirt being ingrained in certain areas (e.g. lace curtains) But that aside, the flat was totally filthy on arrival, the floors had not been vacuumed, out of date food/sweets in the kitchen, the mats were totally sand filled, the kitchen stove had a grill pan that had not been cleaned (someone had recently enjoined a roast of some kind), the general stove racks were greasy and something had "exploded" in the microwave, carpets were stained and filthy and under furniture was honestly horrific (Tissues and muck under the main bed) In a time when extra cleaning is required, this management company failed at the first hurdle of basic cleaning! On raising this with the Sykes / Coast and Country, they said they would send someone for a re-clean (ha ha!) which coincided with our dinner reservation (pre-booked weeks before due to covid) so given we were not prepared to stay in the the muck there was not other option but to clean it ourselves My wife and I spend hours cleaning the place to make it habitable - not a great way to start your holiday. As a matter of interest whilst in place we spoke to an owner of another flat, who had recently removed his flat from the rental market due to the complaints he was getting (re cleanliness) - He in fact also spent time on arrival having to clean his place! After the holiday we sent a constructive letter (with photo evidence to all issues) to both the management company and owner. All we got back was a form letter from Sykes, with a 75? voucher of the next holiday (Are you serious????) and no reply from the owner. If we had arrived at a cared for/ clean property would we go back ? - Yes but would look to rent the top units No 11 and 12 to remove the upstairs noise (based on thin ceilings) Would we go back now? - No chance in hell!!
CDI-SA
2021-09-23