Ballygelvar

What a beautiful place this is! Our room was lovely and very clean and comfortable. We enjoyed spending a lot of time on the covered deck relaxing in the evening and found the vibe of the whole property very comforting. The hosts were very accommodating to our requests and Belinda’s cooking is delicious. We enjoyed where this property was situated in a rural village close to Cambridge town and that this property had the various animals and pets which we also enjoyed. - we highly recommend this property and have already booked in our next stay.

Hosts were superb as was evening meal

There were no redeeming qualities with this experience. Based on the expectations the website created and the price we were charged, I honestly can't say there was a single thing nice about the experience. To be clear, this is a HOMESTAY. I don't know in what world a HOMESTAY equates to boutique accommodation, but its certainly not the one where I paid $195 to find out. I would have liked to have enjoyed the garden to table dinner, but I wasn't prepared to gamble a further $55 per head on a HOMESTAY dinner given how misrepresented the entire experience was. I didn't see a food safety or alcohol license presented anywhere on the property either, which is really concerning. The host was able to read our obvious disappointment when we arrived and given the tour, and suggested a lovely restaurant which was unironically the highlight of our stay.

1) THIS IS A HOMESTAY - the website and description does not in any way make it clear that the hosts live in the same house that you are staying in. 2) All the 'facilities' listed as available in the booking are communal, apart from the kettle and fridge. The website and photos are designed to give you an impression that is very different to the reality of the experience. 3) There are dogs in the communal area. For most people this is not an issue, but it is unnerving when an untrained dog runs up at you when entering the lounge for breakfast, as is the host greeting you in their dressing gown. 4) The room is TINY. The photos very misleadingly give you the impression that there is a communal area adjoining each of the rooms. There is only one communal area, and that is their living room/kitchen. We did not feel comfortable relaxing there, given the hosts were occupying that space for the duration of our stay. This confined us the room, which had 0 facilities. 5) There is 0 soundproofing in this 'boutique accommodation'. Which is most uncomfortable, given you are living in someone's home. 6) The 'complex' looks like a black, corrugated iron shed plonked at the end of a driveway, i drove past it because it is so far from the impression the website gives you. The section is very underwhelming, and is more industrial than the remote getaway you'd expect. 7) The host. I found her manner most unpleasant and disrespectful. I organised this for my fiance's 26th Birthday, who - like most people, hates the idea of a homestay. When we realised that was the case, and that there was no TV in the room, i asked her where the TV was. Her response was, "No ones ever asked that before, you dont usually get TV's in a homestay". As much as I doubt that is the case, your website says boutique accommodation, charges 195 dollars, and includes a TV as a facility, and does not disclaim that it is communal.

Location

Room two small

Having stayed in many places in Cambridge over the years, this would be the most relaxing. i.e., away from the hustle of the town but close enough to not matter. Nice warm and clean room and lovely outdoor environment. Hosts, Peter and Belinda were great. Enjoyed having the pets around too. Highly recommend staying here.

Great atmosphere and lots of cute animals to pat.

Oscar was the highlight and the great Hamburger Soup! Great hosts which were very welcoming. Unfortunately missed brekkie as we had to leave so early as would have liked to farewell Peter and Belinda.

Shower at night was only lukewarm water - but was full house. Was hot in the morning which was great. Also parking was limited as we had a trailer on - couldn't turn around on the section - luckily there was space at the end of the road.