Bochym Manor
Value For Money
Bochym Manor
User Reviews
We Found The Description On The Farm & Cottage
We found the description on the Farm & Cottage Holidays Ltd website about the property at Bochym Manor that we booked extremely misleading.
It said that the accommodation was "spacious and full of character" and included a quote that it was "first class". When we 'phoned prior to making the booking to question why there were no photographs of the interior we told that it was "first class and we wouldn't be disappointed" - it isn't and we were! Neither is it spacious - the kitchen is bedsit sized / equipped, the main bedroom is very small and the second bedroom smelt so badly of damp that we moved our child and clothes out of it.
We were appalled at how disinterested Farm & Cottage Holidays Ltd were when we 'phoned them at the start of the holiday to complain; they really did not seem to want to know or help and didn't do as they said they would, i.e. speak to the owners and call us back. Their response to our subsequent written complaint was that the owners set the prices and that they are simply the letting agents - "the booking is between you and the owners". At £1,900 for a two week holiday in Cornwall during July / August the 2 bed holiday cottage at Bochym Manor that we rented through Farm & Cottage Holidays was the most expensive we have ever booked. It is also by a very long way the worst that we have ever stayed in. We found it cramped, very poorly (and we thought cheaply) equipped and smelling so badly of damp that one bedroom wasn't really usable. If Farm & Cottage Holidays had given complete and we believe accurate information about it on their website we simply would not have booked it even if it had been at half the price.
From the various reviews and comments on Review Centre it would seem that there are a number of people who have complained about the holiday lets at Bochym Manor and Farm & Cottage Holidays. We were however surprised recently to receive, over a year after our holiday at Bochym Manor, as a "goodwill gesture" a cheque for approximately 20% of the accommodation price plus £100 from Farm & Cottage Holidays who were the letting agents when we stayed at Bochym Manor!
I totall agree with your review and am awaiting mine to be approved to go on this site. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it!
I've just re-read my review and realise that it reads subjectively and with some evidence of emotion. This was borne of frustration and I apologise. The following is as factual as I can make it - please disregard my earlier review, use the following instead and draw your own conclusions:
Based on the description given on the Farm & Cottage Holidays website and information provide over the 'phone we paid £1903 (£1856 direct cost of the accommodation) to rent Peacock Cottage at Bochym Manor, Cornwall in July / August 2007 for two weeks. On arrival we were directed to the 1st holiday let on the left as you enter the clocktower courtyard (the R McKean review describes the courtyard so I wont repeat it here). The front door leads directly into a single room that forms the living area comprising a lounge (equipped with a 3 seater settee, an easy chair, coffee table, colour TV, small bookcase/dresser, standard lamp, occasional table and wooden fire surround fixed to the wall (there is no fireplace). The literature says you can have a video recorder if you ask for it, but as the owners charge extra for electricity, heating and use of the communal washing machine and tumble drier I wouldn't be surprised if there was an extra charge); dining area (equipped with 5 chairs and a table measuring (from memory) approx 4' x 2'); kitchen area (equipped with a fridge/freezer, cooker, microwave, kettle & toaster, with approx (from memory) 2 sq ft of available worktop for food preparation etc). A single overhead light is positioned midway between the dining area and kitchen and there is no window in the kitchen. 3 doors lead off the living area to: the large bedroom containing 2 single beds, a wardrobe and 2 bedside tables (this is the room that we thought smelt damp - and there were visible signs of damp in one corner); the smaller bedroom containing a double bed, wardrobe and 2 bedside tables; the bathroom containing a greenish brown (avocado?) suit of bath, washbasin and toilet. There is no window in the bathroom.
There you have it. Compare this description to similarly priced accommodation elsewhere and draw your own conclusions as to value for money etc. For my part I will never again book a holiday cottage unless it has been independently assessed by an organisation such as Visit Britain.
I Booked A Two Week Self Catering Holiday At Pirat
I booked a two week self catering holiday at Pirates Cottage at Bochym Manor in Cornwall after viewing it on the Farm & Cottage Holidays website. The website gives a wonderful description of Bochym Manor, its spacious 20 acres of grounds and it quotes an unattributed testimonal describing accommodation as first class. Farm & Cottage holidays have their own star system and award 3-stars to all of the Bochym Manor holiday lets (there are 14 cottages on site). Furthermore Farm & Cottage holidays boast on their website that all properties are personally checked annually. Pirates Cottage in particular was described as comfortable and spacious, a Grade II listed cottage for 6 people which has a very large sitting room /diner. Pirates Cottage is one of six properties arranged around the clocktower courtyard.
In reality Pirates Cottage is one of 6 units within a u-shaped building surrounding a courtyard which is slightly larger that half of a tennis court. If all six cottages are full to capacity they accommodate in total 23 individuals plus babies and dogs. Entry to Pirates Cottage is through the front door, which opens directly a large room (It is a large room but there is a lot squeezed into it). This room contains a small kitchen area, dining area and sitting area (comfortable seating comprises one 3-seated sofa and two armchairs - this is meant to be accommodation for six people). This room leads directly onto two others; a double bedroom and the bathroom, a staircase leads to the upper floor. Upstairs there is one twin bedroom which leads directly into a double bedroom. Electricity is charged at 15p per unit. Heating is an extra £35 per week. There are coin-operated communal washing drying machines. Washing is not to be dried outside - bit of a problem if you've wet wet-suits and beachwear. BBQs are permitted but take yours with you - none are provided and disposable BBQs are not allowed. Don't expect a welcome tray so take teabags and milk with you.
Really poor value for money. I paid £3,157.83 (of which £2990 was the direct cost of accommodation). I booked a 2 week holiday in August 2007 through Farm and Cottage Holidays after reading their glowing description of Bochym Manor on the Farm & Cottage Holidays website. I did complain but was informed that Farm & Cottage Holidays only act as the Agent and my contract was with the property owner as per my booking conditions. I was told that the Agents had checked with the owner who had informed them that the accommodation was 'up to scratch'. If the Agents personally inspect properties annually and use their own star system why do they need verification from the owner?
I would of thought that at a rental of £2990 for a fortnight plus extra for electricity and heating the owner might have stretched to a few tea bags and a pint of milk for new arrivals.
I have been staying at self-catering accommodation in the South West for over 20 years and never had cause to complain until now.
Feeling desperate and would like to speak with others for support.Would you please contact via my email address.
I have recently heard (October 2014) that Bochym Manor has new owners. I don't know if they plan to continue with holiday lets but wish them every success if they do.
Please email us!
Please email us!
All who commented on this review, please do get in touch. Please see my own review http://www.reviewcentre.com/Cottages-and-Holiday-Rentals/Cornwall-Poldhu-Hall-Ringlet-Cottage-review_1628283
I have met the response which one prior reviewer got - I'm having to defend a small claims court claim against me from the owners as their spiteful response to my complaints. I intend to fight all the way. Any support, help, information or testimony you can give would be gratefully received. Please email.
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