"TERRIBLE"

TERRIBLE - I stayed at the house in Fossebridge in September and was devastated. The Airbnb professed to be a cotswold gem but was more of a cotswold calamity. The house was a shell and in poor condition. The property was infested with bugs and woodlice were all over the soft furnishings. The decoration was dated and minimal with a cold brutalist feel about the place. The cooking facilities were exceptionally poor with old dirty pans in the cupboard, an asthmatic extractor fan and the windows were bolted shut. The bathrooms were all damp with black mould around the edges. Bolthole retreates need to sort their act out... DO NOT VISIT!

"Terrible company to deal with"

Terrible company to deal with, during Covid restrictions they wouldn't allow us to cancel our hen do booking, they forced us to reuse the booking and reschedule. They demand all sorts of unreasonable cleaning upon departure, such as stripping beds and washing and putting away all dishes, they just want to save their cleaners time. Would NOT recommend

"I’d give them 0 stars if possible"

I’d give them 0 stars if possible. Booked a property in March 21 to stay March 22. They immediately got in touch demanding best part of £1000 deposit to secure the property, to then email me 4 months later and say they’ve taken it off the market. Marketing manager (mark) said he had sent me an email explaining why which he hadn’t and basically had the attitude that it isn’t their problem and they don’t care if they’ve left me in the lurch. No doubt the property will be advertised again for next year with new pricing to make up for the pandemic.

Avoid at all costs.

"TAKING ADVANTAGE of COVID 19."

TAKING ADVANTAGE of COVID 19.
Refuse to refund £70 cleaning fee despite giving just over 14 days notice of our non occupancy due to the extension of Covid restrictions by 4 weeks.

"Very professional and great properties"

Due to the unfortunate restrictions around Covid I had to cancel a trip a few days before my booking started. I got immediately refunded with no questions asked. I am loooking forward to finally be able to visit the cottage once the Covid madness is over and will surely use Boltholes Retreats again !

"Covid 19 problems"

BEWARE of booking with this agency. If as happened to me, sudden covid 19 restrictions were put in place and prevented you going you would receive no sympathy. We did not expect a refund,just another date at anytime in the future. Firstly they said come anyway. Which was against the law. We had paid in full for a break in a cotswold cottage for my Mother. Who having been widowed was then shielded for several months, alone to grieve. Tripadvisor refunded a small booking fee. But we had no other help or sympathy. Then to make things worse they sent an email asking us to review our stay. These people are unkind and unfeeling. Well here is the review they asked for. Dont go near them!!!

"I would never use this Company again"

I would never use this Company again. The attitude of The Founder is inappropriate and he has zero customer care. I recently booked a cottage with Bolthole Retreats for myself, elderly mother and daughter. I checked that the cottage was suitable for an elderly lady and was advised it was. Whilst the cottage was excellent, and we made that clear in our review, we had two safety/security problems. Whilst there were outside lighting on the long driveway none of them worked, We were advised that an electrician was required but none available until after we left. This was a problem as it was unsafe to walk along the long driveway in the dark, even with a torch. The latest we would return was about 7.30 pm. The following morning we found that the first of two security coded electric gates was jammed partially open. We could not open or close the gate and therefore couldn’t leave the property by car. It was eventually opened but left propped open with a piece of wood, which we thought was insecure. We had a very cordial exchange with Lee, A representative from Bolthole Retreat, whom was empathetic to our concerns and most apologetic. He even gave me his mobile number in case we wanted to call him. It was acknowledge in writing by Bolthole Retreats that the points we raised about the lights and gates were correct and were issues that need to be resolved. I was asked in writing what compensation would make me happy? I also received a communication from the housekeeper apologising for the inconvenience caused because of the gates and outside lights. All our exchanges were polite and courteous and we left the Cottage immaculate. The response I received from the Founder of Bolthole was totally inappropriate. To quote, ‘I am afraid darkness at night-time with no street lights, is a feature of the countryside, maybe you should pack a torch next time’ (I wonder if he would respond in the same way to a group of 3 male guest raising these points?). Following a balanced review of the Cottage on the website, the review I received was ‘Difficult guest, I’m afraid’ I think it is totally reasonable and not at all being difficult to be concerned that there is no outside lighting and that the security coded electric gate was jammed open. I have a duty of care to my mother and daughter that we were safe.

"Poor customer service"

Poor customer service. I fell ill just before our booking and we had to cancel on short notice. We completely understand this means losing the full accommodation fee, but they refused to reimburse the £100 cleaning fee despite not needing to clean the cottage given our cancellation. Extremely unpleasant attitude from Lee over email exchanges. Thought about rebooking for another time but absolutely won't be doing that now as have no faith that they will provide a good service during an actual stay.