“Some very good features and some not so good - depending on what you value in a property.”
Outside- lovely outdoor seating area and immaculate hot tub that was lovely and hot throughout the stay. Decking and some of the furniture needed a clean before we sat on it - not ideal but not the end of the world. Play room was excellent. Generally very quiet so lovely and relaxing (but you are staying on a site with other guests in adjacent properties so potential for noise). Great playing field for the kids. Goals supplied.
Indoor - well equipped kitchen with the exception of no tumble dryer and a slimline dishwasher - annoying but again not the end of the world. lounge was lovely although a bit of a squeeze to seat 6 adults. Needed more cooking knives and larger pans - feedback has been provided to the owner so hopefully future guests will benefit from it.
Bed mattresses were comfy. Duvets didn't fit the sheets and fitted sheets were not used so if you have bed-OCD then this may be a problem.
Showers were electric and had awfully low pressure - probably the most disappointing part of the stay.
We had a problem with the freezer and a couple of other niggles that the owner was very quick to react to and solve so kudos where it is due.
felt a bit like the property was slightly damp, particularly in the lower bedroom - given this was August, likely that that feel will be worse in winter months. Stairs to one of the bedrooms is VERY steep - as advertised - 60 degrees. Not a problem for us but may be for others so just be aware. Bathrooms were lovely and clean with lots of storage unlike other properties. Narrow lanes to get to the property like a lot of Devon. Ample parking which was great.
Firstly thank you for your positive elements and your text thanking us for a lovely week when you left.
Therefore more than a little disappointed that you think we deserve the lowest score we have ever received for any of our properties, I would add mainly based upon features we don't advertise or openly show in our description and your personal preference.
I would normally not comment and allow future guests to look at all our reviews but in this case i will make an exception.
All showers are electric 11 or 12 kw new units and operate completely as they should with input pressure tested at supply. They are not power showers or advertised as such but electric. As per your text at 10:30pm on Sunday that the shower was broken when it had been switched off.
The property is rural which is why we fitted a mains booster pump that boosts pressure to .5bar above standard residential water mains pressure. This was confirmed by your text on a noise from the oven then the dishwasher that was effecting the quiet. It was the pump constantly stopping and starting because of a stuck flush in the lower bathroom which i fixed in seconds. Aided by your father telling me in the car park of the running toilet.If I had been told at the time i would have fixed it just as quickly.
There is no tumble dryer and nor do we advertise one, due to changes in fire regulations in 2023 they are advised against especially in open plan properties.
Our kitchens are equipped above the required specification of Sykes including pans and knives, guest often cook full roast dinners quite comfortably. The dishwasher is sized for the property and never been a concern of any other guest.
All our bed linen is 300GSM hotel grade. The duvet covers are envelope so designed to be longer and tucked under the foot of the bed (they do fit). The sheets are also flat because they are professionally laundered and fitted sheets can't be passed through a press.
Regarding noise if occasional children playing and families having fun whilst respecting other guests in adjacent cottages before 10:30pm is a concern people need to book properties accordingly. You did also comment on how quiet it was. People are on holiday to enjoy themselves and we feel and have been told we have the balance just right. Out of main season different groups for weekends are given far greater freedom for noise and believe me most do with no issue at all.
If beach towels etc. are dried indoors rather than on the drying racks outside and the extractor fan turned off(next to the shower pull) in the lower bathroom you will get moisture. We have had guests all year around and they have never mentioned it or we would have been on it immediately as would our changeover team who clean everything to within an inch of its life. But we will investigate further for you.
Thanks for commenting on the paddle stairs that are shown in photographs openly and property description also used regularly and without event by numerous guests over the years. Measuring the angle with your iPhone is appreciated. Our description also already mentions that we are in Devon in the countryside so some narrow lanes which the area is famous for like Cornwall and other rural areas.
As for the decking and furniture this is all wiped and hosed down when the hot tubs are emptied and flushed before each guest. As you will have seen we are lucky to have a healthy population of House Martins and Swifts raising their young in the eaves around Lambscombe. This does of course have a downside at certain times of the year but we have advised them to only use the adjacent fields from now on, fingers crossed.
Being onsite we do respond almost immediately when required as you found out and regardless of time of message or nature of problem. This is a huge benefit provided at Lambscombe over remote owner properties as you have kindly acknowledged.
Regards,
Damon & Karen
Property Owner
