Pentire View (3)

Overall, our experience at the property was mixed.

The location is absolutely fantastic, and the size of the house is ideal for a family stay. However, the general standard of maintenance left quite a bit to be desired. I fully appreciate how difficult it can be to stay on top of maintenance during a busy season — no one wants workmen coming in during their holiday — but it's clear that many of the issues need more than just quick fixes or surface-level patch-ups. We had read previous reviews before booking and noted a few recurring issues, but unfortunately, many of those still hadn’t been addressed. Or if they had, the repairs had clearly been done in a fairly slapdash way. For example, the main fridge had a sticky note on it saying “Does not work,” and the replacement fridge provided was in a poor, unhygienic state. A second fridge was located inconveniently at the back of the house. There were also numerous minor but noticeable faults: several lightbulbs were out, paint was peeling in places, broken gutters had led to damp patches on exterior walls, and multiple window latches were faulty. One small but particularly frustrating issue for us was a raised lip between the hallway and kitchen tiles — our children repeatedly stubbed and even cut their toes on it during our stay. Despite the various faults, they didn’t majorly affect the overall comfort of the stay — but the house would really benefit from a proper round of maintenance to bring it up to the standard its location and size deserve. The property was also in need of a thorough deep clean throughout, and the windows clearly hadn’t been cleaned in some time. This was especially noticeable given the stunning views, which were completely obscured on arrival. Before our stay, I tried several times to contact John Bray/Sykes with some questions — by phone, email, web chat, and even through social media — but I found the response times incredibly slow. By the time someone replied, the chats had usually closed, and I eventually gave up trying. On arrival, I called again about the windows and was told someone would be out on Monday (we spoke on the Saturday after I tried to call and then messaged on the Friday), which seemed fair. However, we ended up cleaning the windows ourselves because they were so dirty we couldn’t see out of them properly, which really spoiled what should have been a highlight of the property. With all of this, we would still very much stay at the cottage again as it really is a fantastic location and size.

Considering you cannot get into the property until 4pm and you have to be out by 9am, I'm not sure much cleaning is done in the hours the property in empty.

I did have to wash most things in the kitchen before using them and the inside of the cupboards looked like they had not been cleaned for a while. The fridge was broken and the replacement looked like it had been salvaged from a skip - dirty and yellow. The kitchen bay window ceiling had flaking paint so when you opened a window the paint flakes blew into the food and drink on the table. Next door the holiday let had a piano which the kids enjoyed playing (killing) very early in the morning. Not sure why anyone would put a piano in holiday accommodation. The parking is not great now as it is not easy to pull into the small car park in front of the accommodation to drop off stuff and pick up stuff, this car park is now locked.

The water in the bath between the two double rooms works when it is used as a tap but sprays everywhere when the shower head is used.

Otherwise a lovely bathroom. Would appreciate clothes pegs to use on the washing line (which could be a bit tighter) and a brush to go with the dustpan. Otherwise we love the house and its situation and views. This was our fourth visit I think. Covid came in between. The only problem is the parking situation. We had three free spaces at Tristram car park but were not permitted a fourth as we had one son who had to join us later. He parked on the beach. But loading and unloading holiday stuff was extremely difficult. In the past we have unloaded in the little car park below belonging to the Tube Station and then moved straight into Tristram car park. This year it was padlocked so we had to take turns with two wheels on the pavement on that narrow hill throwing out cases out and all our surfboards and boxes of food! Packing up was equally challenging. But we love being there and it suits grandparents (us), children and grandchildren.

1.

Lots of tired elements 2. Not overly clean - especially if you are relying on visitors to do it properly. 3. Lack of a parking space - albeit the camp site parking eventually got sorted. 4. Great location and view 5. Oven area poor - extraction hood filthy

The property is in a wonderful position, close to the beach and local shops.

It just lacks a few things...needs dusting we were going to play monopoly one evening only to find live bugs in the game! The cabinet that the games were in needs a good clean. The locks do not work on many of the toilet doors and are difficult to lock for children & adults. Need toilet roll holders! We could not find the brush to go with the dust pan. Other than these annoying things the property is in a reasonable condition.

Stayed many times, always a great stay.

Perfect position, love it

I stayed here with my daughter, son in law, baby grandson and son and his partner.

We were amazed at the views from the front of the house - loved sitting in the kitchen looking out at the sunsets. My family are all surfers so found the boot room or large back scullary fantastic for boards and wet suits pram and bucket and spades. The short walk into Polzeath was so easy, the provision of cookware and utentsils really good. The house was so homely and very clean and comfortable. Car parking easy I really could not fault it except for I love coffee and it did not have a cafetiere - luckly I brought my own and accidently left it there so house now has one. Great facilites for baby high chair and cot were provided. I have marked most things high but not John Bray as they did not seem to know what was in the house - when I called to ask about facilites for baby they stated that it did not have any so we packed our travel high chair and cot only to find that the home had both high chair/ cot At the end of the holiday I did recieve support from John Bray when unable to get out of car park. I did use the recommeded laundry company and would also recommend them if you were thinking of hiring sheets and towel. All of my family hold the same view that this is a perfect place to stay.

‘This house is all about location, and a “vintage feel”.

It’s not the most luxurious, not “posh” - but it does feel like a proper home. And I liked that. So did my family. The kids adored it! I will definitely come back, despite the two biggest negatives - the awful parking situation, and the lack of supplied bedding. The good things: Location, views, (fabulous), feels like a real home! Cosy. Nice! The proximity to beach, and pub - perfect! The garden, big. Kids loved it! The overall layout. A really lovely house for a holiday. Got some nice traditional features. Family friendly. Well equipped. Loved the kitchen especially. Loved the games for the kids, the bats and balls, the “fun” and “homely” feel. Fabulous living spaces. Super main lounge. But also the cute tv room. Great utility room. Huge. All beds very comfortable. Gray mattresses. Perfectly clean beds. Extra blankets everywhere. Good idea! Side lights in bedrooms - good! All carpeted rooms - upstairs and down - very clean and nice. Showers/bathrooms upstairs practical, and clean. The main bathroom had the most stunning views. The two double bedrooms had stunning views’. Not so good things: Parking a nuisance (I am using crutches at the moment). The arrangement is no use for anyone with a disability. Tristram car park is beautiful.. but you have to walk a short way up a very steep hill. Fine is you are fit and well, of course! Offloading and loading all my stuff took quite a long time - even using the little parking space for the Tubestsation cafe (which is next to the front garden). The fact I had to rent bedding etc - and make up all the beds myself. A complete PAIN! And an extra £200 (with towels). Why is this? Some of the house needs tlc - redecorating. Especially the downstairs shower room. The utility room was a bit “lived in” too! But I didn’t mind that. More waste bins are needed - in all the bathrooms and in the bedrooms too. There was only one upstairs, and one in the downstairs loo/shower room. Nicer lighting in the lounge needed. It was very dreary! Half the light bulbs were missing too. Why not have a couple of standard lamps in there? Please leave out the recycling bags? There were none for me to use, so I had to use my own bin liners. Just as well I brought lots! Please leave out instructions for the central heating adjustments? Please have some wood left out, in the lounge, ready for the wood burning stove? Outside patio furniture needs some tic! Better quality duvets would have been nice? I was quite cold at night. (When the heating went off.. and I didn’t know how to put it back on again).’