“- The salt and pepper pots in the kitchen were empty
- Hall curtains still have hooks missing and hanging off in places (were the same last year)
- Cold tap in the bathroom drips, is VERY tight to try and close
- No compostable food bags provided for food waste
- There was a used hand towel in the laundry basket
- Recycling box was overflowing, not emptied and so no room for our things
- The showerhead doesn't sit properly in the cradle (same as last year)
- The garden 'sensor' lights don't come on and when coming home after dark is extremely dangerous when it's pitch black
- 2/3 drawers in the small double bedroom are unusable as they don't open/close
- Tree is growing through the rotary clothes airer so unable to make use of the whole airer and it won't move with the wind to help dry clothes
- Patio area with table and chairs has so much overgrown ivy etc.”
that it is all over the path.
- Garden chairs are rusty
- A lot of the kitchen cabinet paint, and the cooker hood, is peeling off and cracked
We stayed here last year and love it; it's cozy, the location is perfect and we love the walk down into Lyme Regis. It's just a shame about the above, which I'm sure can be easily fixed, are making it look a bit unloved and tired. As we said last year this bungalow could easily be a 10/10!
We had a great time, thank you.
Many thanks for your very constructive feedback following your recent stay at Strathaven.
I’m very glad you love the bungalow and enjoy your visits there.
As you have taken the trouble to write I would like to respond personally.
I live a four and half hour drive from Strathaven so am unable to call in and check that things are in order following bookings.
I’m afraid that means I can’t fill the salt and pepper pots either, although I do so whenever I stay there myself.
Also, I always rehook the curtains when I stay. Unfortunately some guests are not very careful and this is a recurring problem. I’m hoping to have new hall
curtains for next season if the bungalow budget allows. Likewise I would very much like to have the kitchen cupboard doors replaced and hope to do so
soon, maybe during the winter months or early spring.
The issues of the lack of compostable bags and the used hand towel have been passed on to the housekeeping team. I believe we have a new cleaner who appears to be
excellent and very conscientious but he may have missed these.
Unfortunately, our gardener, who usually deals with the recycling bins was going on holiday or was busy preparing for it during your visit. He has since sorted out all the bins. I can only apologise for this.
The garden sensor lights were probably switched off at the master switch which is high up above the kitchen door (inside the house). One of the sensor lights on the garage is being repaired and the electrician must have turned them all off so he could work safely. He had to order a new sensor light so I expect he left it switched off in preparation for his return visit. During the winter months we turn off these lights as they annoy the neighbours so, should you return, if the lights are off please check that the master switch is ‘on’.
The shower head is a problem and I’ve asked LBH to look at it. The bungalow is a Devon Lady construction and so it is very difficult to attach anything to the walls. The present shower is relatively stable but we had to replace the shower head and it doesn’t quite fit. I don’t want to risk having a complete new shower as the tiling might not hold it. Hopefully LBH will be able to find a slightly narrower handled shower head.
I had no idea about the dripping tap or the drawers in the small double bedroom so I’m grateful that you have pointed these issues out. I expect LBH will be able to sort them out.
I did not know about the branches growing through the washing line so appreciate you informing me. Our gardener has now cut them back.
He will also tackle the patio area although ivy is pernicious stuff and grows back rapidly.
I am aware of the rust on the garden chairs and table. The trouble is that replacing them is very expensive and the rust returns after a couple of years. Trying to de-rust them is only a very temporary solution and plastic tables and chairs deteriorate very quickly and never seem to be good quality. I’m really not sure what to do about this but I suppose we will need to replace them some time over the next year.
I am sorry that you found some issues with Strathaven. It may be looking a bit tired but it is dearly loved! It is difficult living so far away and I am not always aware when things get worn or damaged. I really do appreciate your feedback though - it is really very helpful
Property Owner