"DONT STAY AT DOVE FARM BARNS, STAFFORDSHIRE"

I arranged my hen weekend away at Dove Farm Barns in Staffordshire. I DONT RECOMMEND THIS PROPERTY

Ashley at Acacia Cottages deserves the 5 stars but not the accommodation - which is advertised as catering for 8 people but it doesn't.

I had noted that in the pictures of the accommodation there was 6 chairs around the the dining table so asked if I could have an additional chair as there was 7 in my party. We were having a 3 course meal cooked for us so having a chair was imperative as having a stool or something similar would not be suitable.

I had been assured by Ashley that the owner (Donna) had agreed for an additional chair would be at our accommodation when we arrived on Friday. But it wasn't!

A member of my party tried to contact Donna as she arrived before myself to ask her about this chair but just rang out and left a VM about this. She had, only a few minutes before, spoken to Donna as the code for the front that Acacia had supplied us with was incorrect and Donna (the owner) didn't know what it was either!! - my party member added a star at the end of the code and got in.

In the end a very kind neighbour who owns one of the properties let us borrow one of their chairs for the two nights we were there. I also left a VM for Donna and she didn't even return either of our calls back (even though for awhile the phone was engaged) Apparently (according to Maria the Housekeeper) said that Donna was away - so surely someone else should have been looking after her properties in her absence! - good job there wasn't an emergency!!

The fridge was unclean according to my party member and had to try and clean it as best as she could before she put food in.

The microwave was also dirty too.

The caterers arrived and there wasn't enough pans for the Chef to cook with - so had to make do with what there was. The catering company also had to clean the knives, forks, plates and glasses as well as they weren't clean either.

There was only 4 of each type of glass ie prosecco, champagne, wine glasses, ordinary drinking glasses ( when really there should be 8 of everything) - one of the champagne flutes had a hair line crack in it - this was picked up by Ruth who was in the Catering Team and have taken a photo of this too.

As this property is advertised as being a luxury property attention to detail should be paramount ie

1. providing enough knives and forks which are clean
2. providing enough pans
3. ensuring plates match
4. hole behind door in bedroom with twin beds and one of the doubles (the one with a mirror)
5. only one bedroom didn't have a mirror - so not easy when drying your hair - you need something to look in especially if everyone in the morning are still in bed
6. States that washing up liquid supplied - there as just a tiny bit left in the bottle - so should have been changed for a fresh bottle for the changeover
7. Didn't have details of the free Wifi- nothing in the folder for visitors
8. one of the remotes was broken in one of the bedrooms (one with double bed and no mirror)
9. there were dead flies on the toilet lid of the en-suite when the first guest arrived
10. Dirty behind sofa in kitchen
11. one of the windows in the lounge didn't open

Good points -

its a lovely property in a beautiful quite location

What could have been done

- have some nice smellies - not cheap bathroom soaps - something that says luxury
- nice smellies ie reed diffusers
- welcome pack with produce from the local surrounding businesses

Upon leaving the property this morning I spoke to Maria who is the housekeeper for this property - who was very rude and defensive and a member of my team had to intervene because of her behaviour. I would recommend that she goes on a course on how to speak to customers. I asked for her name and she said well go on then report me and get my hands slapped!!!

"Hen Party at Bath Barns"

I arranged a weekend stay at Bath Barns for my sisters hen party. Acacia cottages were very helpful throughout the booking process and the house itself was absolutely fantastic, the photos on the website really didn’t do it justice! The view from the (massive ) garden was amazing. It was very well equipped inside and had everything we needed, there was plenty of space, including parking. We opted for the hot tub hire which was very easy to use and for the 3 course catered chef meal, the food was delicious and they took into account our dietary requirements, which was great as we had a celiac and a few veggies in the group. We also used the mini bus service offered on the Saturday night into Bath, the driver was on time both ways and very polite. I would recommend Acadia cottages to anyone planning a hen party, especially at Bath Barns !

"Beautiful Barn, Sheffield"

What an absolutely brilliant experience! Ashley made the whole process so easy - we loved the accommodation and the activities could not have been more perfect. I honestly couldn't recommend more!

"Luxury Yorkshire with Hot Tub"

The perfect hen weekend for our bride to be! A big thanks to Ashley from Acacia for planning an amazing weekend that ran smoothly from start to end.
The house is huge and has everything you need. The surrounding views are beautiful and the wood fired hot tub was a really nice touch and was used both nights of our stay.
We arranged a taxi to pick up the 16 of us to take us to Ryedale Vineyards. We had a tour, wine tasting and afternoon tea - all fantastic!
The evening meal in the house, supplied by Two Jays Catering, was excellent! The food was delicious and a lovely way to spend the second night.
Would highly recommend Acacia Cottages if you’re organising a hen party, so easy and nothing was too much trouble!

"Luxury Yorkshire with hot tub"

I had a fantastic experience booking my sisters hen party through Acacia cottages. They were so helpful, the holiday plan and payment dashboards they provide are great when you are organising something for a group. The actual weekend itself was brilliant - the property was beautiful, the dance class Acacia organised was so much fun and the taxi service was on time and so friendly. Thank you so much Ashley and the Acacia team, you helped make the whole booking experience a breeze!

"hen party"

I had organised a hen party, Ashley helped me organised it all and she was amazing. Nothing was too much trouble for her at all. The accommodation was exactly how we imagined it and the activity Ashley had helped me organised was brilliant, she also helped me organise transport from the accommodation to Chester, this was also amazing and massively took the stress out of organising it myself.

"Hen Party at ‘Stunning House Derby’"

Acacia Cottages were great at helping me piece together a package for a Hen Party of 27!

When an activity went bust, they were quick to offer me alternatives and reassure me that the rest of my activities were going ahead.

Special thanks to Ashley for great communication throughout, providing a detailed plan of the weekend and important contact information if I needed to contact anyone over the weekend.

We stayed in the Stunning House Derby and it was exactly that, absolutely stunning. From the views from the hot tub to the chilled area in the games room. Plenty of space for 27 women to enjoy the weekend without feeling overcrowded.

Would highly recommend both the property and Acacia!

"We had the best hen at Canterbury…"

We had the best hen at Canterbury Cottages! We had such a lovely time, the house was beautiful (the photos in the handbook/website did not do it justice)! We had planned on doing a walk on the Saturday but the sun came out and we were able to lounge and have a chilled afternoon in the garden.

We opted for the treatments and cooked dinner! The two beauty therapists were lovely, we want to give props specifically to Ellen who‘s equipment allowed for the person with accessibility needs to get a massage!

Dinner was lovely (a bit under seasoned but that’s a personal preference) and they left with everything clean and tidy!

Acacia Cottages Made the whole process so easy and the team are so knowledgeable!

"Fantastic hen weekend"

Our group of 9 hens had a brilliant weekend away staying at Green Cottages near Winchester. From start to finish the booking process was straight forward with excellent communication from Ashley. I highly recommend using Acacia cottages if you have a hen do to plan!

"Classic Contemporary Cottages was the…"

Classic Contemporary Cottages was the perfect stay for my Twin Sisters Hen Do.

Cottages was absolutely amazing with a lovely hot tub that everyone loved the use off.

Beauty Treatments/Cocktails Masterclass & Chef for three course meal was amazing.

Ashley was brilliant in helping me sorting this occasion for my sister, with all the stresses I had she put me at ease and sent reminders out to support me with the planning. Thank you Ashley!