Organic Panda B & B

The night was nearly sleepless, and we left feeling sick from the discomfort. We paid €180 a night for two people for what felt like a filthy, badly run shared house. We’d booked “Organic Panda” in Saint Ives through Booking after seeing photos and a description that made it sound cosy and private. Instead, the owner rented out three rooms in a run-down shared house. There was no privacy, the shared spaces were poorly kept, and the place felt like a depressing hostel. The whole house was dirty and neglected, with a bad smell. The sheets and towels seemed used, smelled awful and didn’t feel fit for guests. Inside, the air was heavy with damp, mould and old cooking smells that clung to our clothes. The so-called included breakfast was served at a communal table with strangers, using questionable utensils and very poor ingredients. The food was inedible, and hygiene seemed nonexistent. Even the salt and sugar were so damp and clumped they looked like concrete. A nauseating kitchen smell spread through the house and made the stay unbearable. We also found a hidden attic room, reached through a trapdoor behind a bookshelf, that was being rented out too. It felt like a horror film. The breakfast and the hidden room were just as shocking as the state of the rest of the house. It was a terrible experience, and I strongly advise against staying here. Booking should seriously reconsider the properties it lists. This one felt like a disgrace and a trap for travellers.

The fresh, clean bed linen was the one good thing. We were very disappointed by how dirty and neglected the house and gardens were, especially for the price and after seeing the photos. They looked as though they’d been taken a long time ago. We couldn’t enjoy the panoramic views because the front bushes were overgrown and the windows were filthy. The back garden was also overgrown and untidy, and the seat cushions were too dirty to sit on. As soon as we opened the door, a horrible mix of musty, cooking, fish, dog and damp smells hit us. We had to go straight out to buy air fresheners, but the smell never went away. We tried opening windows, but very few would open. The cupboards weren’t clean, and all the crockery smelled so bad that we washed everything we used and left it on the worktop. We had to take all the living room throws off because they smelled musty and were unclean too. There were lots of other problems: one iron was broken and the other was like a travel iron; the toaster didn’t work properly; and the remote in the top bedroom didn’t work. The white paintwork, glass unit, fridge door, kitchen floor, area around the bin and toilet brushes were filthy. There were damp walls in the dining room, and the beds were old and creaky. The back garden steps felt dangerous and need a handrail, as we all struggled with them. The oven didn’t work properly, and the extractor fan was covered in grease. The place needs a deep clean and redecorating. It seems to have been neglected for a long time, so unfortunately we couldn’t recommend it in its current state.

We had a great week in St Ives. Organic Panda is well placed for walking into town or to the local beaches, and the house is a good size with everything you need. It felt like a home from home. Thanks very much.

I love this arty house. It’s in a great spot, with lovely views and parking. Highly recommend!