Kingfisher Barn

Seven of us had a great time at Kyte Lodge at Kingfisher Barn. It's a peaceful, beautiful spot, handy for walking The Thames Path and just a few minutes on foot from Abingdon, a lovely town. The lodge was comfortable and well equipped, and the manager, Millie, replied promptly whenever we messaged.

We could bring our dog, and they provided a bed and bowl, which was great since we were on foot. Breakfast was fresh and superb, and the shower had good pressure with plenty of towels. The little cabins are quaint and worked perfectly for one night. A great find near Abingdon.

The location was great and the cottage fairly well appointed, but I couldn't sleep on the bed. It was one of the most uncomfortable I've ever tried, and a comfortable bed is essential for this sort of accommodation. The front door also jammed on the flagstones, something simple maintenance could have fixed. There weren't enough suitable cooking utensils, and the grill pan had no handle. Nobody was around to answer questions, while the manual threatened draconian financial penalties if you disturbed the manager. We won't be coming back.

The setting is beautiful, but the accommodation was very disappointing and didn't live up to the value of the location. The rooms are small, and the bed that's meant to be a double is extremely small. During our four-day stay nobody cleaned the room. We were left with dirty tea cups, no refills of water or milk, and dirty floors. In Room 5 the TV didn't work, and the bathroom fan ran all night. Breakfast was poor too. There were no eggs, and once the loaf was gone there was no sourdough bread. The marmalade and Marmite jars were empty. When I asked for hot milk, I was told she didn't know how to make it. I reported everything to the manager, but nothing was fixed. Other people have had these same problems before, so it seems the owners either don't address them or don't want to. The four stars are fair if you're judging only the location, but for accommodation and amenities this hotel is lucky to get two. We certainly won't return.