Spring House

We left just two hours after arriving, and I’d never stay at Michael Martin’s place, which he calls Dragen's Den, again. I also won’t book through Sykes Cottages again. It was a very disappointing experience, especially as it was my birthday the next day and my mum, who had worked her whole life without a break, had never before taken a holiday in England. I’ve spent 20 years in hospitality as a qualified hotel manager, and feel standards in leisure and accommodation have dropped. Businesses like these don’t seem to offer no-quibble refunds. We’d asked to leave our luggage before the 3 pm check-in so we could spend time in Chester. Mike said it could go in the front entrance foyer and offered to carry it up. The front door lock was broken and didn’t work properly. When we returned at 5:30 pm, my bag with valuables was sitting in the foyer and the door was unlocked. If I’d known, I’d have taken the luggage upstairs ourselves. It was forecast to be very hot, but the host didn’t open a window to cool the place. Noise from the nearby road was loud through the day and could still be heard after we shut all the windows when we left at 8:30. A dog was barking constantly too. It wasn’t somewhere I could relax. The living room carpeted floor was uneven, and my 79-year-old mum fell while looking for the bathroom, making her aches more painful. The kitchen floorboards squeaked whenever anyone went in. There was a vase on the narrow staircase, which made it difficult for Mum and me to maneuver, especially with luggage. When we left, Mum noticed a white patch on my elbow that must have come from somewhere in the flat. I’d advise anyone planning a longer stay in Chester to choose somewhere else. Stay well clear of 'The Dragons Den ' Chester.