Ocean Spray

We ran into a number of problems during our stay. The worst for us was the top-floor shower, where thick black mould covered the grout, tiles, silicone, window and frame, as well as the ceiling. It needs an extractor fan and urgent attention before the house is let again. There was mould in the silicone in two of the downstairs bathrooms too. The house smelled of damp and mould, with visible damp in a far corner of the top-floor bedroom, around the bathrooms in the downstairs double rooms, and above the window in the twin room. My husband and I switched rooms with my dad, who has COPD, because we were worried about exposing him to the mould. It could have put him in hospital. Privacy was another serious issue. The top back bathroom window is completely see-through. We didn't realise until after three days, when we walked up to the castle to look at the view. For those first three days, people walking past could see me using the toilet. We thought there was reflective film, but there isn't. You can see in during the day, and even more clearly at night when the light is on, so we had to use the toilet in the dark. The two large windows also had no curtains, leaving us and people outside able to see each other in the evenings. The house was tidy but not clean, with dust everywhere. Cutlery was missing, so we bought more, even though earlier reviews had apparently mentioned this in November. Outside, a soil stack was leaking and the drain smelled rancid whenever we left the property. The house looks good in photos, but it's worn and scruffy now: chipped paint, torn beds, missing plaster, broken plugs, chipped cups, missing cutlery, an overgrown garden and broken garden furniture left there. Also, if six people arrive in more than one vehicle, only one vehicle is covered for the stay. That wasn't a huge issue for us, but it should have been made clear. The steep hill was a real struggle for my dad because he has COPD. It was clearly stated in the description, and if I'd known, we wouldn't have booked. Anyone with mobility issues should be aware. Scarborough itself has a drink and drugs problem. That's not the owners' or management company's fault, but people thinking of staying should know. Every day we were there, something was kicking off in the town centre. We saw two people arrested, several spice users and lots of drunk people. One drunk man fell head over heels down the hill into the back garden where the wall is missing. We thought he'd knocked himself unconscious. This was after he sang very out of tune at 1am. Scarborough has history around the castle, lovely views and excellent seafood, but the drug use and drunkenness are a sad thing to see, even if people watching can be entertaining.

The way in is difficult for anyone with mobility problems, but the rear view across South Bay makes it worthwhile. The rental website doesn't show it, but dog owners should know there's a garden along the side of the property.