“Property very tired.”
And needs TLC. Door handles need sorting. I got hand swahed and bruised badge trying to open bedroom door where handles. Doors stick. Likewise French doors stick probably just some adjusting. Sofa well past sell by date with springs gone anx throws hiding stains and dirt over sofa. Garden over grown. Again jusf needs someone to cut back bushes. When paying top prices fod a Property you expect things to be high end. This property most certainly isn't up to scratch. Verg disappointed.
As the owner of Dolphins Leap, Charmouth, for nine years now, I am saddened that you felt the need to comment negatively. Luckily reviews like yours are extremely rare, except from customers who I suspect assume they're checking in to a top-calibre hotel, not a peaceful, homely bungalow with far-reaching sea views over Dorset's famous Golden Cap and a private secure cottage garden for their dogs.
I am thrilled that I have 40% repeat customers who return year on year and who write in the bungalow's comments book about their love of Dolphins Leap's tranquility and personal touches: I take personal pride in welcoming guests with a generous locally-sourced welcome basket of goodies and a bouquet of flowers from both our local village store and my own garden, as a token of genuine appreciation for holidaying at Dolphin's Leap. After a couple of days or so, I visit my guests personally, checking that they are comfortable and have everything they need. Not many holiday home owners do this, but I also like to give out my own phone number in case of any unforeseeable problems.
Realising that owning a holiday home is a privilege to be shared, I am proud to help the local economy: I employ a wonderful local housekeeper who keeps the place extremely clean. I employ a local groundsman to cut the lawns and I prune and weed the garden myself. I provide peanuts and seeds for the birdfeeder, which gives most guests such joy that they note on the blackboard the species spotted! The bungalow has an eco bent; we use eco-friendly products where possible as I care greatly for the environment. I offer a full recycling service, but I noticed that you chose not to fully support this.
Responding to your other comments: All pricing is set by the agent according to supply and demand. The bungalow is redecorated and serviced annually, has recently had a brand new boiler fitted, a new TV and even a newly insulated conservatory upgrade. Most recently I had all the wooden engineered floors polished. Next on my expansive to-do list, oddly enough, was to renew the door mechanisms and to upgrade the sofa, and possibly the bed.
So in conclusion, I'd like to say it's horses for courses... I wish you every success booking a deluxe property to meet your expectations on your next holiday, but Charmouth tends to offer unpretentious more down to earth accommodation I'm afraid. Dolphins Leap is a homely traditional cottage-style 1960's bungalow, not a modern, soulless five star hotel. And that's why we get so many repeat customers who I warmly welcome back every year, come summer or winter, sometimes both back-to-back!
Property Owner
