Cottage de quatre cents ans avec des caractéristiques originales et des commodités modernes

Melanie was a pleasure to host, she is welcome back any time. So glad she enjoyed her stay so much (she almost forgot to leave!). 🤣

Its so lovely to hear of another happy stay at our home. Unusually not being there for Christmas and New Years ourselves, its nice to hear of others enjoying the place as much as we do.

It's always nice to hear how comfortable people find the cottage, we have tried to think of everything to make a home with all the creature comforts you'd expect. Thank you Jennifer.

The atmosphere is indeed very special both at Crabtree Cottage and the Island as a whole. Any time spent there (no matter how short) always feel like a real holiday and you leave well rested. So pleased you felt the same Cal.

That's so lovely to hear - we think its very cosy too. And the garden is such a great space for all the family and pets to enjoy. So pleased Jane and her family enjoyed their stay so much.

Helen was such a lovely guest, who was a pleasure to host. I am pleased to hear she enjoyed her stay so much. She is welcome back any time.

Glad you enjoyed your stay Emma.

Brian and his family were a sheer joy to host. Its hosting guests like this that make me so happy to share our beautiful cottage with others.

Lisa was a pleasure to host and we are pleased her group enjoyed their stay.

Thanks Kenneth, so pleased you both enjoyed your stay. I know you were really looking forward to it, so I am very pleased (and relieved) it lived up to your expectations.

So pleased Carolyn had a great stay and liked the cottage. I have checked and we do specify that there are no bathrooms upstairs, she must have missed that when reading the details about the accommodation.

Crabtree Cottage was our holiday home before we decided to share it with others. So yes, it has everything we ever wanted from a holiday home and more. We didn't want something that looked like it was created for paying guests with no thought to it feeling like an actual home. So pleased Philipa and her guests were very comfortable there and had such a wonderful stay.

On reading this review I changed my plans and immediately visited the cottage to understand why these disappointing comments had been written. Before arriving I'd wondered if the soft furnishings needed a clean perhaps, but they didn't. However I still ran all the cushion covers and throws through the wash to be sure. With regards to the oven, it is an old range style cooker that has seen better days but still functions perfectly well and was not especially dirty. However following this feedback the oven has now had a deep clean with Mr Muscle and looks good as new again. I have also replaced all of the baking tins again (as I often do).

What a shame Kay chose to only give us a 4 star review rather than 5. Her comments were all exceptionally complimentary both in her online review and in personal correspondence with me directly. Not sure what more we could have done to deserve the extra star! 🤷‍♀️ That having been said it’s great to hear she and her family had such a wonderful stay at Crabtree Cottage! The weather was perfect so I am sure they had a wonderful time.

What can I say - the highest praise ever! Thank you so much. We look forward to having Rob and his family back again some time soon.

That's so lovely of Gill to comment on the well equipped kitchen. I always try to ensure it has everything you would need in a fully functioning kitchen, so thanks for noticing. So pleased to hear they had good weather and could enjoy the outside space, but do be sure to return in the winter and have some cosy evenings inside beside the woodburner. It's such a cosy space in the midst of winter.

Another happy set of guests, that's always so nice to hear. Yes indeed its very cosy in the winter, but as you say its amazing in the summer out on the deck with a perfect view of the sunset with a glass in hand!

So pleased to hear of happy guests - it is so important to us. We would welcome back Sue's family any time.

How lovely that Emma and her family loved the cottage and enjoyed their stay - always so wonderful to hear. It is a bit disappointing that Emma has marked us down for the sofa bed which was not actually broken, but I had advised was heavy and that previous guests had found it difficult to manoeuvre. Sadly the issue is Emma didn't ask in advance for linens to use on the sofa bed. Had Emma advised me that she'd planned to use it (even though there were only 5 people visiting and we have beds for up to 6) I could have advised it would need someone that can move it (not elderly people) and I would have offered to provide linens. Instead she called late at night asking for linens which I was unable to provide at such short notice, for obvious reasons. She said they had planned all along to use it - so it would have made sense to check in advance that it would have linens made available, and where it is situated (since it is in the middle of the lounge and so can't be left out - so needs putting away each day). I have now changed the listing removing the sofa bed to avoid further confusion for our guests.

I see you've decided to return - I am so pleased and looking forward to welcoming you back again.

Whilst this review is very disappointing, I am not totally surprised and was anxious before reading it. From the outset, when she initially booked her return stay, Sandra made it clear she was going to be comparing it to her first. Her message simply said - "Booking again for a second time - I do hope we are not disappointed!!" - with exclamation marks. I have to say this read as very threatening, so I was on my guard during her stay. Sandra sent me a personal message after check out with her concerns about some rubbish that had been left behind as she said she didn't want to write it in a review. However she did not raise any of these concerns to me privately, instead she chose to write all this in a public review. In response, I will accept that after two very busy seasons we have not had time to access the cottage with enough time to do a little touch up painting. With having white walls in the lounge and a wood burner they do need a refresh now and then, and this is now due. However, I do not agree that we should have to change ornaments every year. This is not only highly wasteful and contrary to our personal beliefs, it also goes against the fact that any ornaments at the cottage are things we have gathered over the years and treasure. They are not cheap things bought from Next that are replaced with each year's fashions. This is not a Holiday Let decorated for this specific purpose, but our Second Home that we are sharing with our guests.

Katherine and her family were the perfect guests. So easy to communicate with, very honest and full of integrity! Who could ask for better guests. It was so lovely to hear how much they ALL enjoyed their stay, all three generations! Perfect!