Sykes Cottages

A_new_Start_2

If anyone can offer advice we'd be grateful. Thank you.

We booked a holiday, with Sykes, for May 2020 which because of Covid-19 was changed to the same time in 2021.
Since we booked we have had 2 emails from Sykes informing us that they are changing the booking in times, giving the reason as extra cleaning time. It's a 1 bed cottage, with tiled and wood floors.
We understand that times are different but we feel we're almost losing a day of our holiday by the amendments. Not being able to book in til 5pm and having to be out by 9am.
Sykes refuse to refund us at all if we cancel and as we've paid in full already we can't just walk away.

Is there anything we can do as the conditions of our booking have been changed and we won't be getting the holiday we paid for.

daveyjp

We had the same this year through a different company.  Available from 6pm (originally 3pm) and we had to leave by 9am (from 10am).

We considered it a minor change and wouldn't have considered cancelling.  We actually arrived at 4.30pm and all was ready.  

quizzy_rascal

As a cottage owner I sympathise with you on this and I hope can offer a bit of perspective.  Our responsibility as cottage owners has now meant we have to do an awful lot more work to ensure our holiday homes are as near sterilised as is possible due to Covid.  Larger cottages with larger budgets are using fogging machines and commercial steamers but us smaller set ups are having to spend extra hours scrubbing away on every surface with bleach and disinfectant.  I’m absolutely shattered after doing turnarounds now.  However I do wonder if you rang the cottage owner direct (you should have their number) and ask them if they can give you a ring when they have finished cleaning up. Cleaners and owners have to over estimate the time needed because, unfortunately some people can leave a real horrible mess, (I’ve had takeaway curry’s poured into old pine drawers, dog mess everywhere etc etc, ) but most people are considerate and put the dishwasher on and strip the beds before they leave.  We love guests like that!   It all means we get finished earlier and I am always happy to let my guest know they can get settled in before the advertised time.  It happens quite a lot like that. 

sheramber

Your may be a small cottage but the cleaners may have more than one cottage to clean. 
You will probably find that all cottages  are now subject to the same new restriction on times due to the ongoing pandemic and revised cleaning rules.
Would you rather the  cottage was not deep cleaned to give you a few more hours?
How are you losing a day? It is a few  hours .
If you ask nicely you may be able to offload your luggage early and go out in the area until 5pm. 
 No doubt you booked for so many nights, not days, and are  still getting that number of nights.

A_new_Start_2

All sorted out now. Thank you