Spring Cottage

The cottage was bright, clean, and reasonably well equipped. The sofa was comfy as was the double bed. The heating was simple to use and very effective. Parking is roadside and there was never any issue getting parked. We like the Fish & Chip shop, the Godfather Italian, The Three Horseshoes at Leamside, the very helpful Pharmacy, and the well equipped local Costcutter shop. Plenty of lovely walks closeby, and plenty to do in and around Durham and Sunderland etc. PIN for keylock sent by text, when all other communication had been by email. It was only by chance we spotted a text and got access. The map showing the location of the cottage is incorrect by around half a mile. The "blind" on the lounge window is 2 pieces of overlapping pleated paper stuck to the window frame with no way to raise them. We bought pegs and pegged them up! If you are not "techy" you might have some challenges like we did. There are no paper instructions for the hob, microwave etc. The Roku TV was the biggest challenge. We had no TV for 2 days as we couldn't fathom how to work it (again no instructions paper or online) so we bought an indoor aerial. It showed I-Player, Prime, ITVX etc but we just got a message "this channel is not available." There were 3 pans in the kitchen, 2 with broken off handles. There is insufficient cutlery for 3 people to have one set in the dishwasher and one to use. The kingsize bed on one side is very uncomfortable as the springs are more prominent than at the other. The stairs are very steep which is not mentioned in the accessibility advice. "Towels are provided" and we had a bath towel each but there were only two hand towels. We were 3 staying for 2 wks. Outdoor seating area (one bench for two people, the table and 2 chairs shown in cottage photos belong to neighbour) was 2ft high with weeds. We weeded the area in front of the bench just so we could sit there! Be careful of the edging bricks as they are NOT cemented down NOTE: We are not the first to raise some of these issues, and sadly they have not been addressed. Poor management by the owner and Host & Stay, especially when they expect holidaymakers to pay a damage waiver!

The house looked as if it had recently been refurbished but may have been rushed and not completely finished. The mattress was disgusting old and springs pushing through. Blinds were paper glued to window and wouldn’t open. Bathroom floor was dirty. Bedroom window handle broken. Kitchen unit damaged. Kitchen looked clean but very smelly. No handles on two pans. TV looked new but had no aerial. Clothes hook in bedroom falling off. When I complained the host offered to come back and clean but I had already done it and anyway we were out sightseeing most of the day and I didn’t feel comfortable with someone coming in while we were out. They did not offer to replace the broken mattress which was the worst issue. They offered a 10 % reduction off our next stay with them which I consider to be inadequate and I would not trust them again. I also object to the way the additional charge for damage insurance is not transparent but hidden within the terms and conditions.

We often come to the NE but stay in an Airbnb in Herrington (which was booked at this time) so we tried somewhere new. With two boys, a garden is essential in better weather alas the garden wasn’t child safe so we didn’t use it, also there is a communal driveway between the house and garden so we couldn’t let the boys run safely. It was a spotless property with great finishings and a sofa to die for! (But a heart attack for any parent with toddlers and chocolate fingers) the bed were wonderful and heating was quick to warm the house. Sinks in the bathroom came up to my shoulders however, fitted way too high, a stool for kids would be a great option. We had a bit of trouble locating the property, we rang home stay and they said they would call us back, sadly they didn’t. I think it was partially our fault as we were trying to match the map, and no door number. Overall I loved it, the kids loved it but with some kiddy essentials it could be fab! Potty, stool. Kitchen lush

it was nice and clean could’ve been a tv in the bedroom, mould in the downstairs toilet and wifi or downstairs tv wouldn’t work.

The location of the house is not as stated on the map. We took over 1 hour to find the house even having spoken to the team, we arrived late in the evening and was dark. On the map stated the house is in the first block 1-5 south Street and across from the nursing home. This was also re-told when we spoke to one of the members of staff on the phone. THIS WAS NOT the case. the house was further down the road between no 32/34, 100 yards from the Italian restaurant. We had to stay the 1st evening not in the house and re-located to the travel lodge in durham. The team at host and stay had to find the correct location from the housekeeping team and inform us the following day. This has incurred further costs for us. So we hope that you will compensate us for the issue which was caused by incorrect details on your page.