Sykes Cottages32 reviews
This score is based on 32 genuine reviews submitted via BritainReviews since 2018.
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Find companies you have experience with and write reviews about them! Your reviews contribute to a more transparent market and improve the reliability of companies.Tub at sunset
Sun sank and we ended up in the hot tub wondering why we'd ever rush anywhere — it was properly warm and oddly private. The place is quirky in a good way, cosy, full of little touches (welcome treats, bit of chocolate — much appreciated). A fuse tripped but they sorted it within minutes, so I'd happily return.
Quietly satisfied
I booked them because my bad back meant I couldn't manhandle the sofa during a move. Getting hold of support was clunky and not everything was flawless, but I knew I was satisfied when the lads slid the awkward couch through the door without a scratch, which showed it would do the job, faults and all.
Smooth check-in, dependable staff
they even sorted a late check-in without fuss.
Lake view lodge, surprisingly good
I spotted this place on a booking site after a mate mentioned it. I was a bit sceptical at first — looked almost too convenient. The lodge itself had everything. Spotless and well equipped. The lake view was calm and lovely. Richard gave great local tips and restaurant recs, which made planning days out much easier. Only tiny niggle was a creaky door, but it didn’t spoil the holiday.
Strange booking, helpful driver
Standing among half-packed boxes I booked a van because my dodgy back couldn't cope with another move. I was annoyed at first — the website forced me to download an app and the calendar was invisible in both Safari and Edge, so I wasn't sure a slot had actually saved. I also couldn't add my Dutch phone number, maybe because my billing address was German. Those are IT problems. On the day the driver arrived early and helped with a heavy sofa, which surprised me. Booking could be smoother, but the service did the job.
Hospital call mid-holiday
I was halfway through a holiday (only two proper days away) when the hospital rang with an urgent appointment, so we decided to leave by 10am the next morning. I’d booked via a local listing and had even told my sister about the lovely garden, so I rang the office to explain. The bloke I spoke to was surprisingly sympathetic and said he’d let the owner know and mentioned a possible discount for a future stay. Months later nothing came of it though — a bit gutting, really, I’m not made of money.
Not what I expected
I drove three hours to this place because I had appointments lined up for the following days and needed somewhere to crash and work. Booked through Sykes, arrived and it looked nothing like the photos. Place felt grubby, bits of upholstery stained, air fryer greasy, freezer frozen solid with ice (there was no way to use it), the toilet wasn’t sitting flush to the wall — small things but together they made the stay uncomfortable. Welcome pack and the breakfast/afternoon tea that were advertised weren’t there, the hotel where you collect keys was closed, and for the first 24 hours there was no internet — which was a real pain given my schedule. I reported it straight away to Sykes and, after a lot of back-and-forth, they said the owner would only refund one night. Fine, a little money back, but it felt like a token gesture — and by the time Sykes closed the case I still hadn’t got a proper resolution or the missing amenities. I ended up moving after one night because I was tired and couldn’t rely on the place; not ideal when you’ve driven and have things to do the next day. I appreciate Sykes did process something, but they weren’t proactive and seemed to accept the owner’s minimal offer too easily. If you’re booking for work or need reliability, I’d deal with the property directly where possible.
Not what we expected
I honestly thought this would be a relaxing couple of weeks — we needed somewhere calm because my partner’s been having terrible back pain and we wanted to get away and rest properly. From the moment we walked in it felt… off. The place didn’t match the listing, was a bit grubby in corners and missing basic bits you’d expect in a holiday let. We rang the owner as requested and after a little back-and-forth they did bring round loo roll, bin bags and some washing-up liquid, which was useful, but things like fresh towels and proper bedding never happened. The towels stayed damp and just weren’t pleasant to use, which is annoying when you’ve paid for comfort. Worse, I woke up with bites that looked like bedbugs and my partner had a reaction that needed antihistamines — we think it came from the mattress. We tried Sykes several times for help and even used WhatsApp once; they offered a call but then told us it hadn’t been responded to in 24 hours and closed the case. That felt like being shrugged at. Accommodation is expensive and you expect both the owner and the agency to sort the basics — that didn’t come through here. On the bright side, switching to an Airbnb in the Lakes was a relief and actually improved the holiday, we stayed longer there. If you need peace and proper hygiene because of health or aches, I’d be cautious about booking this route.
Fourth booking with this company
I've had mostly good experiences with this company. The descriptions of the cottages and apartments were spot on, and the photos really helped me make up my mind. Booking was easy and I got quick replies too.
Excellent cleanliness and amenities
The cottage was so clean and had everything we could possibly have needed for a comfortable stay. We couldn't find any faults with it at all. The owner, who lived next door, was really helpful during our visit. We can't wait to go back and will definitely recommend this place to others.
Best place to stay in the country
It's honestly the best place ever! The views are absolutely stunning, and it's so peaceful and cosy. The hosts are really lovely and helpful, we've already booked to come back next year. There's so much to do and see, and the food is delicious. I would definitely recommend everyone to stay here!
Quick and easy booking process
The process of booking our getaway was really simple and stress-free. It was so easy to find a property and make a reservation. The challenging part was picking just one amazing property from all the great options available. Now that we've booked, we can't wait for our trip and will share our experience in a review after our few days away.
Quick & easy booking
I've been booking holidays with this place for years now. They always have the best cottages that actually match what they show online. Last year, we had a bit of a worry with a cottage we booked, but they were really quick to help us sort it out. I just booked another holiday using their app and it was so easy. They even sent all the details straight away. I really like how you can save your favourite places too. I'll definitely be telling my friends about it!
Search criteria functionality
I recently tried out the search criteria feature on the website and I have to say, it was really handy. I loved being able to make a list of my favourite things and sort them by dates and places - it made finding what I needed a whole lot easier. One idea I had though, is that having the choice to make separate folders for different dates and places would make things even better. The website looks good overall, and the reviews were super useful in helping me make up my mind.
4 holiday houses
I've rented four holiday homes in the last year, and they were all fantastic! Each one had its own unique charm, was really enjoyable, had all the amenities we needed, was spotlessly clean, and matched their online descriptions perfectly. I would absolutely recommend them and I'll definitely be booking another one soon!
Short break at a cottage
I had a great time during my quick getaway at the cottage. The place was really cosy and spotless, which helped me unwind completely. The views of the Severn Valley from there were absolutely breathtaking. I especially loved taking long walks straight from the doorstep, it was so serene and scenic, perfect for discovering the surroundings.
Holiday cottage stay
We had a great time staying at this amazing house! It was really clean and had everything we could ask for. The best part was being able to park right by the front door - so handy. The only thing that would have made it even better is if one of the bedrooms had twin beds for the kids. It worked out fine though, as our youngest two ended up sharing a double bed.
Holiday bungalow stay
We had such a great time at the big holiday bungalow! The size of the place was just perfect for us to unwind and chill out. It was in a really quiet spot, which made it even more tranquil. We've been here three times now, and we're already thinking about returning in the future. Being close to Scarborough was a real bonus, and we never had any trouble with parking. The welcome pack was a really nice touch and made us feel well looked after when we arrived.
Last minute break
I recently decided to book a last-minute break, and I have to admit, I am pleasantly surprised by the whole experience. I got an immediate confirmation of my booking and even received the key code through email. The process was really quick and efficient, which I always appreciate when it comes to customer service. The cottage I stayed in was clean and cozy, just ideal for a weekend getaway. I would absolutely recommend this service to anyone in search of a hassle-free booking experience.
Easy booking process
Booking with this company was so easy. The information they gave us was really clear so we knew exactly what we were getting. When we got to the cottage, it was even better than we thought it would be. It was so clean and we were so happy to see that everything we needed was already there. And having a field next door for our dog to run around in was just perfect.
About Sykes Cottages
Are you looking to spend some time in a cottage nestled away in the British or Irish countryside? How about Sykes Cottages? A British-based company, with a couple of decades of experience, that rents out cottages to travellers for anywhere from 2 to 28 nights. Read on to learn some more about this business. Then, if you are interested in what they have to offer but are unsure about whether or not you can trust them and their quality, read some Sykes Cottages reviews to get an insight into other peoples' experience with their properties and opinions on the customer service.
About Sykes Cottages
Founded in 1991 by Clive Sykes, Sykes Cottages is an online accommodation provider for UK cottage rentals throughout Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. The company originated out of the small business run by Clive Sykes' mother, who rented hers and her friends' holiday cottages out to travellers. The broad business was developed when Clive realised that there was a great demand for high-quality customer service and holiday homes. Since then, the company has flourished, now booking over 100,000 holidays each year and over 8000 available cottages, yet they are still committed to providing quality to their customers, with an extensive range of locations and cottages and maintaining the value for money.
Sykes Holiday Rentals – Customer Services
Searching for a holiday home on the Sykes holiday rentals website is simple, and the website is organised for the ease of the customer. Simply type in a specific location, or search the entire United Kingdom, select your party size, excluding members under the age of 2 years, the number of accompanying pets, and the arrival date with the number of nights that you intend to stay, and how flexible you are with these. This search will produce all the available properties that fit your details. To sift through these results, you can also apply further filters such as the property's rating, type, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the distance from the sea and whether or not it features certain properties such as an open fire, garden, swimming pool, hot tub and wi-fi.
Complaints? Tips? Strengths and Weaknesses? Share your experience!
Have you visited any Sykes Cottages? If so, please feel free to share your opinion of your experience in a customer review. Were you satisfied with the state of the cottage in terms of cleanliness? Did you have any particularly positive experiences with the site's customer service team? Would you recommend this service to a friend?
What do Sykes Cottages customers think of their services? Read and write Sykes Cottages reviews about your UK cottage rentals experience.
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Categories Sykes Cottages
Holidays and Trips | Accommodation Reviews & Experiences
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Last update: November 2025
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Review with most votes
I LOVE THEIR COTTAGES, ITS A E
Holiday cottages are a great ecscape and I all the time chose sykes for this. they have 8000 cottages around the world. never disapoints you. great service,beautiful locations,... Read onBy: Johnny Abraham William