Blackbird Cottage - Whitby

Alastair I.

i sent the following feedback direct via email and wasn`t intending to post publicly but I've had no response from the owner as a courtesy so..

"My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Blackbird Cottage thank you.

There were many elements we liked and would happily book with you again so hopefully you see the following feedback in the good spirit it is intended:

Essential
Cobwebs (See pics) we noticed several areas where basic dusting had been missed. The kitchen/breakfast room floor although swept also required a mopping.
Bathroom radiator needs replaced (See pic)
Toilet brush needed: flusher is not powerful
Dog smell: only in lounge: this began to set off my daughter and wife's asthma.
Blinds in rooms (downstairs lounge door, one side of breakfast room which faces street and most importantly the attic bedroom) privacy reasons but also my children found it difficult to go to sleep and woke up early due to light shining in from sky light
Toaster had not been cleaned inside: crumbs from previous guests, inside just needs tipping out
Toaster position below dirty grate (See pic) the worry here is as its above the toast some dirt could fall directly on the food. Toaster should ideally be the other side of the oven or the grate cleaned/replaced.
No checklist of equipment as described
Prices need to be updated on website, also advisable to add parking space may not suitable for large vehicle
9am Departure time too early with two kids. Felt rushed in the morning. Appreciate Covid reasons but feel with restrictions now lifted, that windows open would suffice.
Bin bags need to be provided for bin. We had to buy some.
Wipes provided if expectation to wipe down handles before leaving
No tidy box provided for linen: so we couldn't strip the bed.
Didn't feel we should be stripping any beds on holiday. We want to leave relaxed.
Desirable
Coasters in bedroom
Bin for bedroom
Longer hairdryer lead to be able to access mirror or one of the mirrors to be relocated
Tea bags/coffee: the extras were lovely thank you but feel on arrival the first thing you want is a cup of tea.
Book on area: there were magazines on the table (so couldn't be for Covid reasons) so feel a book/folder giving recommendations for local attractions to peruse over is something everyone looks forward to with a holiday cottage
Only four of everything plates etc, better six as can run out very easily with four of you and you want to minimise the amount of washing up.
Only one shelf in oven
Main light in lounge missing bulb
No scissors

Again Sue I hope you accept our feedback with the good will and intention it is meant.
We would like to thank you again for having us and for all your help and support on the telephone upon booking and assistance on arrival. Also for checking up on us and making sure everything was ok"

Chris B.

I stayed at the titled "Cosy" Wren Cottage with my wife and mother in- law on the 7th June 2019 . We booked through Bumblewick Cottages which is affiliated to the Owners of Wren.
On arrival the weather wasn't great but being from Manchester it didn't deter us from enjoying ourselves.
We found the furniture in the lounge very uncomfortable, especially the black bucket/tub chair. We noted a review from 2016 on TripAdvisor stating this and the owners reasuring that they would be replaced with a Chesterfield and Easychair? Eitherway very difficult to unwind at the end of a busy day exploring especially for my poor Mother inlaw who is in her 80s!
The decorating in the lounge looks like its been done by Trotters Independants Inc... Simply awful. Poorly painted and the ceiling in dire need off replastering. 
No music system as advertised and the tv remotes are worn and unresponsive and the TV and set-top box very cheap and outdated. 
However the worst was yet to come..
I was lost for words and utterly disgusted to find bodily fluid stains on the centre of the mattress cover when stripping the bed back, whomever put that cover on MUST of seen it! Shocking! 
Windows and frames dirty and general finish in the cottage is of a poor standard. I genuinely feel that the owners are happy to take hard earnt cash for a product well below par!
The front garden was also a absolute state.
We booked for a week and left after 2 days, being unable to relax at the end of the day... simply I'd rather be at home!
All my points have been put to the owners, however they were happy to just serve me flannel and keep the cash! Stay away and don't be fooled by the glowing fake reviews with just one contribution!

Kath H.

Black bird cottage was perfect thank you,the scenary was wonderful, it was a treat from our children (these children are adults) lol

Louise J.

Lovely place to stay suited our needs just perfectly

Deborah W.

Lovely staff and cosy cottage.

Jane J.

Sylvia R.