Reviews show a common pattern: booking and the app are frequently straightforward, and many guests find properties clean, well equipped and comfortable. However, there are repeated reports of inconsistent customer service, problems with cancellations or insurance refunds, and occasional access or maintenance issues (for example missing keys or poor heating/Wi‑Fi). If you are considering a booking, check cancellation and insurance terms carefully, confirm key‑collection arrangements in advance and read recent guest comments for the specific property. Retain payment receipts and ask for written confirmation of any refunds or changes to avoid misunderstandings.
Examples from available reviews (Apr 2022 – Feb 2026).
Owner cancelled fishing; customer service was slow and unhelpful.
“the owner he had no fish and advised us to cancel the holiday.”
Company provided limited refund and poor handling during bereavement.
“We received two thirds back of what we paid for the holiday.”
Lovely furnished house; shower was repaired promptly during the week.
“All the rooms are beautifully furnished.”
Booking was easy and the cottage was clean and well maintained.
“Booking with Sykes Cottages was easy and hassle-free.”
Mixed reports: some guests praise prompt onsite fixes and helpful staff, while others describe long waits, abrupt cancellations and poor service responses.
Several reviewers reported extra costs or reduced refunds after cancellations; a few described disappointing insurance outcomes and unexpected additional charges.
Booking and the app are frequently described as straightforward and easy to use; a minority report account confirmation or online cancellation difficulties.
Many find cottages clean, well equipped and comfortable, but others noted maintenance issues such as poor heating, weak Wi‑Fi or initial problems on arrival.
Guests often report clear booking confirmations and helpful messages from hosts; contrasting reviews describe no‑reply emails, delayed responses and contact problems.
Overall views vary: repeat customers report reliable stays and return bookings, while others recount serious frustrations around cancellations, refunds and support.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (40) · Reviews (20) · Reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
Customer service impossible to reach, long waits over 40 minutes.
“Impossible to contact customer service.”
Customer service was unresponsive, slow and sometimes dishonest.
“Phone waiting times of over an hour.”
Customer support slow and unavailable at weekends, causing booking cancellation.
“Pathetic customer service if you need help, good luck!”
Lovely, roomy modern cottage in central Keswick with great walks.
“We had a lovely stay in this wonderful cottage in the heart of Keswick.”
Booking was stressful and handling of a cancellation felt unfair.
“kept getting the wrong information”
Peaceful and beautiful place to stay.
“Peaceful, beautiful place to stay”
Cute cottage, very clean and in a great location.
“Lovely cute cottage, very clean great location.”
Reviewer consistently uses Sykes for its excellent listings and usability.
“The excellent listings, the really helpful search facility & the general ease of use of the site”
Booking breaks via the app was quick and easy.
“Quick and easy to book breaks using the app.”
Excellent, well-equipped property with strong wifi and fabulous hot tub.
“Hot tub fabulous. Clean and very well thought out.”
Lovely cottage ideal for two with comfy bed and nearby walks.
“Cottage was lovely. Just right for two and had all we needed.”
Reviewer finds Sykes reliable and easy to deal with; recommends them.
“In my experience Sykes Cottages are reliable and easy to deal with.”
Property was filthy with no hot water and inadequate compensation.
“the beds had urine and dried blood stains on them”
Well-presented cottage in a great town location; will book again.
“presented to a high standard.”
Smooth process with great communication and as-described accommodation.
“whole process was smooth with great communication and accommodation as described.”
Comfortable central apartment, well equipped but lacked some kitchen items.
“Could have done with a few more items in the kitchen”
Lovely cottage, well equipped and clean with minor heating and TV limits.
“Lovely cottage, well equipped, spotlessly clean, beautiful interior.”
Comfortable, well-equipped house in a perfect central Whitby location.
“The house was in a perfect location in central Whitby.”
Cozy property with helpful owners and an amazing hot tub.
“Hot tub amazing.”
Pond Farm had everything needed and they'll return.
“Pond farm has everything you need.”
Lodge was unavailable after booking and refunds were delayed.
“The lodge owner immediately called me and said it wasn’t available for the duration of our stay.”
Lovely cottage in beautiful setting with cosy heating and friendly farm dog.
“Lovely cottage in a very beautiful setting.”
Lovely countryside staycation with friendly, welcoming hosts.
“Fiona and her husband were great and very friendly / welcoming and helpful.”
Accessible accommodation largely suitable for wheelchair, minor shower limitations.
“very good for my husband in his wheelchair.”
Booking system efficient but prices were much higher than elsewhere.
“We found ours was almost a third of the cost of elsewhere.”
Spacious, well-equipped house with great host and enjoyable facilities.
“Would definitely recommend and go back.”
Cottage was in a perfect location and was clean and cosy.
“perfect location, clean and cosy.”
Host communicated well and the description was accurate.
“Great communication, accurate description excellent location”
Everything went smoothly during the stay and booking.
“All went smoothly again”
Reviewer happy to find a good deal and had no issues.
“I don’t no issues or problems whatsoever.”
Easy to use with useful payment reminders and accurate listing.
“Easy to use, reminders with payment and property as listed”
Property unclean with no hot water; they refused compensation.
“there was no hot water!”
Beautiful, well-equipped cottage in a lovely location with canal views.
“Beautiful cottage very well equipped lovely location”
Well equipped, clean cottage in great location with welcome extras.
“well equipped very clean,tidy comfy great location for delamere forest ,Chester etc”
Booking cancelled at short notice and no adequate compensation offered.
“Sykes cancelled our half term booking at 24hr noticed”
Spacious modern place, mostly excellent though some maintenance needed.
“Beautiful place very spacious and modern”
Pleased overall; the feedback link Sykes sent did not work.
“only little issue was the feedback link for the place we stayed that Sykes sent wouldn’t work.”
App is good and bookings easy; property exceeded expectations.
“Good app. Easy to see properties and book”
Reviewer expresses strong positive satisfaction with the stay.
“Great, super, Smashing.”
The website was clear and easy to use; communications were prompt.
“The website is clear and easy to use and communications prompt and efficient.”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
Sykes Holiday Cottages is a UK-based holiday lettings agency that lists self-catering properties across the UK and Ireland. It operates an online booking platform and app used by private owners and holidaymakers to search, book and manage short‑term cottage stays. Consumers consulting reviews typically look for information on booking ease, property standards, and how the company handles problems such as cancellations or maintenance.