Burgess Beach House

We paid £1,100 for four nights at the Burgess house, plus another £100 for the hot tub, and I would not be willing to lose that money without a real reason. Air B said it would refund £100, and the owners offered £100 too, but after conversion that came to only around £70. The online photos made the place look lovely, but what we found was nothing like them. Our family of six knew as soon as we walked in that we didn't want to stay. The house smelled unpleasant, needed cleaning, and had a disgusting carpet and filthy-looking windows. It felt dated and overdue for updating and decorating. The patio door lock didn't work, the garden was a disgrace, and the overlooked hot tub seemed like an accident waiting to happen. The wi-fi didn't work either. The house is on a council-house-type estate. There's nothing wrong with that, I grew up on a council estate, but something about this one just didn't sit right with us. We searched for somewhere else, but with the kids off school and a bank holiday weekend, there were no vacancies, so we had to stay one night. The next day we moved to a beautiful house in Norwich, which cost another £600. Go at your own peril. You've been warned.

We'd happily come back if we're in the area. The owners were responsive and communicated well, and the house was clean, spacious and stocked with all the amenities we needed. There's a big garden and a hot tub too. I'd definitely recommend it.

A welcome book with house rules, key information, instructions and local activities or places to eat would be useful, along with a guest book for feedback. We couldn't use the tumble dryer because it said the filters needed cleaning and we didn't know how. We also didn't have the codes for the garden lock boxes with the chair cushions or the flotation device for adding chlorine to the hot tub, which the hosts had requested we use. The hot tub had plenty of bubbles, though one jet wasn't working. I'd suggest they check it. It was very bubbly, despite earlier reviews saying otherwise, so perhaps those guests hadn't worked it properly. The garden is large, with a private hot tub area on one side and a seating area on the other, plus a big lawn. As someone who loves plants, I'd have liked more flowers, though I know they need upkeep. The house is in a peaceful spot away from the bustle, and it's gorgeous. Some parts have clearly been modernised recently. There are two wonderful walk-in wardrobe areas with plenty of clothes space. One room had a cot, which we didn't need, but there's an option for an extra bed. The main bedroom has a large bathroom and en-suite. The child's room was clean and just right for what we needed. Its furniture is a little worn, which I understand since children's furniture can get damaged; sanding it and adding a coat of paint might freshen it up. The lounge was lovely, with a comfortable sofa and a nice table and chairs. I noticed some pet hair and a stain on the chairs and wiped them off. It wasn't a big deal, but I wanted the hosts to know. The kitchen was clean and had modern appliances, including a tumble dryer, washing machine and dishwasher. People have mentioned gull noise and single-pane windows, but this is a seaside town, and with windows open in summer you'd hear the gulls anyway. Updating the windows could be nice, though it isn't essential.

It's a lovely, comfortable house, and the location is handy for local amenities.