Host & Stay - Grange Cottage

very homely and clean, great facilities. We liked the complimentary tea/ coffee/ milk!

only thing that could be improved is if it had some outside space

Great, peaceful location, close to Lindisfarne and central to other places we wanted to visit in the area.

The night storage heaters were very difficult to use. The first night, we were cold as all the storage heaters had been switched off prior to our arrival, so had not stored any heat. My elderly mother was quite uncomfortable. We assumed the heaters were broken and the following morning contacted the H & G phone number provided. It turns out that phone support is available 24/7 (although this was not made known in any of the information provided). No actual solution was made available, other than letting us know the maintenance people's suggestion that we adjust the controls! We had obviously already tried to follow available instructions, which were reported to be 'clear' but were wholly inadequate. By conducting our own online search about using storage heaters, we concluded for ourselves that the problem must be that no heat had been stored as they had been turned of the previous night. On our second night we did have some heat but the system is quite inflexible and should be upgraded. The kitchen heater remained cold throughout our stay. The manual controls were also very stiff to move, which would probably account for the number of dials that were damaged. The property is quite smart but had not been cleaned sufficiently well, with cobwebs visible in many places. As there is the potential for a charge to be made for damage, we were also surprised to see that there currently quite a few scuffs and signs of wear and tear around the property. We were concerned enough to take photographs in case we were later to get held responsible. All in all, we could have done without these hassles, when paying for what should have been a few relaxing days away. Quite why the agency feel it appropriate to take an admin charge from the damage waiver fee is bemusing. We would be unlikey to stay at a Host and Grange property again.

Rural location, one mile to get to property, over a level crossing aswell

The host Charlie, having a scheduled time of 1pm, , for pest control extermination, to come into the property, why could it not been done the morning after, when we had vacated the property, it was an invasion of privacy.

Lovely location and good standard of facilities in the cottage

Needed more mugs as having to wash them through frequently ( only 5 for 4 people) Too many messages about potential damage to property and being made to pay either £25 to cover damage insurance or pay up £250 and still pay £10 of it for admin and then wait for the money back IF no damage … lots of implied threats

The property was spotless and exactly as shown in the photos. The location was great for visiting Holy Island.

It would have been nice if the property had an outside area to sit in during hot weather.

Perfect location. Lots of nature. Peace and quiet.

Insurance for damage should have been built into initial price.

Excellent location, very quiet. Good facilities at property. Really spacious.

TV controls were painful and unable to connect to services. Not particularly child friendly for toddler.

Beautiful cottage in a very quiet location. Well kitted out with almost everything required for a group of four people. Welcome pack of biscuits and milk which was nice. Great for a base for nearby Holy Island, Seahouses, Bamburgh Castle and Berwick with nearby walking areas.

Extra £10 fee to a third party for processing payment after paying through Booking.com? No facility to recycle glass. You either take them back home or are asked to drive 15 miles to a recycling centre. No chairs to sit outside in the sun. Upstairs shower is either freezing or scalding hot!

This is a spacious clean property in converted old farm buildings. Its décor is a little old fashioned but pleasant. It is in an excellent rural location. Although there is a tiny hamlet here it is quite isolated. Outside the house there are wonderful views towards the sea and Lindisfarne. In spite of this the A1 is a few minutes drive away and so all the Northumbrian attractions can be quickly accessed. There is a small supermarket about three miles away in Belford.

The owner uses a letting agency, Host and Stay. Whatever actual price is quoted by them for the stay is not what you will pay. Other costs will appear. The most annoying being a charge for accidental damage. The sales team represent the charges as choices. The only real choice is pay the charges or don't get into the cottage. All communications from this organisation involve good wishes and then veiled threats of financial consequences if certain procedures are not followed. Having to use them to use the cottage was an unpleasant experience.