A Holiday4 summary
Sykes Holiday Cottages Review | Self Catering Deals
A Holiday4 review. For this article, we delve into the newly-designed Sykes website and look at the latest cottage brochure collections (now conveniently available by region).
1. Who are Sykes Holiday Cottages?
Sykes Holiday Cottages is a UK-based holiday rental company specialising in self-catering country cottages, lodges and holiday homes.
The company was established in 1991 and has successfully become one of the UK's largest cottage rental companies (collecting multiple awards for their service and brand).
We found Sykes caters well to various customer tastes and budgets and as of Summer 2024 offers over over 21,000 properties across the UK and Ireland. Accommodation types include self-catering cottages with hot tubs, dog-friendly cottages, luxury holiday homes, barn conversions and larger properties for groups, plus family-focused holiday parks with fantastic on-site amenities.
It's not all about the Countryside - our research finds that Sykes Holiday accommodations are spread across a range of locations, including some of the best countryside retreats, coastal getaways and city break destinations - with holiday durations starting from three-night short breaks to weekly or fortnightly trips.
Top Tips: If you're taking your pet on holiday with you this year, check out our How to Plan & Book Holidays with Dogs article for practical tips & advice.
2. Why Choose Sykes?
One reason for choosing Sykes is flexibility, plus their latest cottage brochure collections are now conveniently available by region.
- Find the perfect holiday using advanced search filters
- Award Winning Holiday Experts
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Last-minute deals and pet-friendly accommodations
In general, we found Sykes offers great choice, convenience and memorable holiday experiences.
3. Does Sykes have special offers & discounts?
Yes, our research found Sykes offers numerous deals, including special offers, low deposit incentives and late deal discounts.
UK holidays have evolved rapidly to provide adventurous, fulfilling and luxurious holiday experiences. We've also noted UK tourism continues to invest in new family-focused activities - for both indoor and outdoor holiday adventures.
Unfortunately, as the demand for quality UK accommodation and facilities increases, so does the associated cost of providing those services - which, for many holidaymakers, means having to hunt down the best deals and discounts.
Sykes Holidays came top in Holiday4's Best UK company for value, special offers and promotional deals for 2024.
Sykes Holiday Deals and Discounts search:
To quickly find the best self-catering deals and discounts - use the Special Offer filter to search for deals by:
(1) Property type
(2) Date Range
(3) Offers by Occasion
Other search options and filter types include:
- LAST MINUTE DEALS: Discounts are available on selected properties for bookings made close to the arrival date (subject to availability). You can search for last minute deals by using Sykes's dedicated Last Minute search filter. Last Minute Cottage prices are shown in red.
- DEDICATED SEARCH: We found Sykes has an easy-to-navigate special offer search option dedicated to finding deals related to particular property types, including Pet Friendly, Hot Tub, Luxury, Near A Pub, Coastal, and Open Fire.
- WINTER SAVINGS: We found a good supply of winter cottage availability (inc. Christmas & New Year), with many properties providing generous discounts.
- OFF SEASON: Many UK holiday accommodations and parks now prefer to remain open all year round and not close sites down over winter. You'll find great value out-of-season deals - especially at park sites.
- ADVANCED BOOKING: Upto 20% off selected cottages for Spring & Summer bookings between 1st April & 31st August - discounted prices are shown in red below the brochure price. (Limited availability, could end at any time. T&Cs Apply).
- LOW DEPOSIT: For bookings made well in advance, secure your holiday for just £20 - T&Cs apply, the offer can end anytime.
- REWARDS LOYALTY SCHEME: As a Rewards member you receive rewards when you book a holiday. You also get exclusive offers and promotions throughout the year.
- PET FRIENDLY: Search for deals at dog friendly properties using the pet-friendly filter.
Top Tips: To find out about the latest special offers and discounts, sign up for their newsletter to receive offer updates and news directly to your inbox. Additionally, follow Sykes on social platforms, they sometimes provide a 'heads-up' on exclusive deals and promotions.
4. Types of accommodation offered by Sykes
Sykes Holiday Cottages offers an extensive property portfolio catering to various preferences and group sizes. From enchanting countryside cottages nestled in scenic landscapes to stylish coastal retreats with stunning sea views, there's a perfect hideaway for everyone.
Whether you're after the tranquillity of rural life, the adventure of coastal exploration, or the vibrant energy of city living, Sykes offers an unparalleled selection of accommodations to suit most tastes.
List of popular and quirky property types available with Sykes Holidays:
- Holiday Cottages - Thatched Roof, Historical, Unique, Hot Tubs.
- Family Coastal Holiday Flats & Apartments.
- Lighthouse Holiday Accommodation.
- Lodges & log cabins near National Trust Attractions & Properties.
- Grade II Listed Character Properties.
- Yurts and Shepherd's Huts.
- Dog Friendly Self-Catering Properties.
- Log Cabins & Forest Park Lodges.
Accommodation types in detail: The type and style of property you choose can have a direct effect on how you experience and enjoy your holiday. Below is a list of property types associated with a particular holiday style or theme.
- Cottages: Relaxing and traditional cottages with cosy and charming features, often located in rural or coastal settings.
- Lodges and Log Cabins: Self-contained lodges and log cabins, often nestled in scenic countryside or woodland locations.
- Apartments and Flats: Modern apartments and flats, suitable for city breaks or for enjoying family coastal getaways.
- Barn Conversions: Converted barns with characterful features, offering a blend of rustic charm and modern amenities. Available throughout the UK and Ireland.
- Holiday Parks: Accommodation within holiday parks, providing a range of facilities and activities for families and groups.
- Coastal Retreats: Properties located near the coast, including beach houses, seaside cottages, and cliff-top retreats.
- Country Houses and Manor Houses: Spacious properties ideal for larger groups or special occasions, often set within expansive grounds.
- Farmhouses: Traditional farmhouses offer a rural retreat experience, sometimes with working farm activities available.
- Pet-Friendly Properties: Accommodations that welcome pets, allowing guests to bring their furry friends along for the holiday.
- Accessible Properties: Holiday homes designed with accessibility features to cater to guests with mobility needs.
Top Tip: Make good use of Sykes serarch filters. Select the search filter to display by holiday type. For example, you can search for 'best accommodation match' by activity, best for couples, best for family, close to shops, pubs, good for pets, beach holidays or best for walking.
5. How to book a Sykes Holiday?
The new Sykes.co.uk website is super easy to use - it has a fresh new look and incorporates a fast and productive search. We discovered many 'user benefits' when accessing the Sykes website, with the 'information guide' sections and the 'search filtering & booking process' being the parts that impressed us the most.
We look into website features to help you get the most out of your search.
We found the Sykes website to be both user-friendly and productive. From the top of the homepage, start by choosing one of the following links: Places To Go - Offers - Holiday Ideas - Holiday Occasions or Travel Guides - or if you know when and where you want to go - simply complete the online search.
Top Tip: Before you start your search (even if you know where you're going) check out the Sykes Travel Guides section for ideas and inspiration (it contains some of the best UK guides & inspiration we have reviewed to date) - especially the "what to do during your stay" sections.
Useful Search Tips
Search Options:
1. Places to Go - Availability Search by Location. If you know what parts of the UK you're interested in, you can select cottage availability by country, by county or by most popular area searched (Lake District, Devon, Cornwall etc).
2. Holiday Ideas - Holiday Ideas is one of our favourite search links. You can use this filter to be inspired by properties with character, hot tubs, remote locations, electric car chargers, nearby fishing, village shops or pubs.
3. Holiday Occasions - Search for accommodation by Occasion, including Valentine's Weekend, Christmas, New Year and Half Term.
4. Properties reviewed by customers: For more inspiration, check out the properties reviewed by Sykes customers section. Reviews are listed in order of most recent stays and include the full review, facility list and a 'next date availability search' should you like what you see.
Top Tips.
1. Sign-up for search preferences: To simplify your search process, you have the option to save your Search Preferences. This will enable you to automatically apply your saved filters and features to your search, making it quicker and more efficient. Additionally, if you come across a property that you like and want to revisit in the future, you can easily save it to your Favourites by clicking on the heart icon.
2. The Sykes Mobile App: The mobile app is an easy way to explore and find properties - you can book and manage your trip, make payments and access details of your upcoming holiday. The app also allows you to find your key collection details, access live chat and view the local weather forecast.
6. How does Sykes Holidays work?
Our research found Sykes Holiday Cottages operates as an intermediary between holiday property owners/managers and holidaymakers looking for accommodation in the UK & Ireland. Here's how Sykes Holidays typically works:
- 1. Listing Properties: Property owners or managers partner with Sykes Holiday Cottages to list their holiday homes on the Sykes website. These properties range from cottages and apartments to lodges and country houses.
- 2. Online Platform: Sykes provides an online platform where travellers can browse through the listed properties. The platform offers various search filters to help travellers find properties that match their preferences, including location, dates, amenities, and more.
- 3. Booking Process: Holidaymakers can book their chosen property directly through the Sykes website. They select their preferred dates, provide contact and payment information, and confirm their booking. Sykes typically handles the booking process, including payments and communication between the holidaymaker and property owners/managers.
- 4. Customer Support: Sykes offers customer support to assist holidaymakers with any inquiries or issues they may encounter before, during, or after their stay. This support may include answering questions about properties, providing assistance with bookings, resolving any problems during the stay, and facilitating communication between holidaymakers and property owners/managers.
- 5. Feedback and Reviews: After their stay, holidaymakers may be invited to leave feedback and reviews about their experience with both Sykes Holiday Cottages and the property they stayed in. This feedback helps other holidaymakers make informed decisions and provides valuable insights for property owners/managers to improve their properties.
Overall, we found Sykes Holiday Cottages serves as a bridge between holiday property owners/managers and holidaymakers, facilitating the booking process and trying to ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience for all parties involved.
Please Note! The above information on "How Sykes Works" is subject to change; please refer to the company website for up-to-date details. Accommodation availability and website access are subject to site Terms & Conditions.
7. What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of using Sykes?
We believe booking with Sykes Holiday Cottages offers several advantages, but there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:
Advantages & Drawbacks
Advantages of using Sykes Holidays
1. Wide Selection: Sykes offers a diverse range of holiday properties across the UK and Ireland, catering to various preferences and budgets.
2. User-Friendly Platform: Their online platform provides an easy-to-use interface for browsing and booking properties, with helpful search filters to refine your options.
3. Transparent Pricing: Sykes provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees, making it easier for customers to understand the total cost of their booking.
4. Flexibility: They offer flexible booking options, including short breaks, last-minute deals and pet-friendly accommodations, catering to the needs of different holidaymakers.
Drawbacks and Considerations
1. Limited Availability: Popular properties may book up quickly, especially during peak seasons, limiting the availability of desirable accommodations.
2. Cancellation Policies: The cancellation policies for Sykes properties may vary, and some bookings may be non-refundable or subject to strict cancellation fees (especially the closer you get to the arrival date and for special offers.).
3. Dependency on Reviews: While reviews can be helpful for making decisions, they may not always accurately reflect the experience of every holidaymaker, leading to potential discrepancies in expectations.
4. Independent Reviews: For recent and up-to-date reviews (both good & not so good) refer to Trustpilot and Tripadvisor for a complete overview.
To sum up: Booking a UK holiday with Sykes can offer convenience, a wide selection of properties and peace of mind - but it's best to be aware of possible drawbacks and considerations, such as potential service and booking fees - before starting your search.
British Travel Award Winners Sykes was awarded 'Best UK Holiday Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company' at the 2023 British Travel Awards.
8. What parts of the UK do Sykes Holiday Cottages cover?
UK tourism offers unforgettable memories and experiences for both domestic and foreign visitors - and with over 22,000 properties available to rent, you can rest assured that Sykes has virtually every corner of England, Scotland, Wales (and some of Ireland) covered.
The United Kingdom is known for its abundant cultural heritage, which includes stunning natural landscapes and exciting urban attractions. From the Tower of London, which has a history of over a thousand years, to the silver and white sands of Camusdarach beach, one of the most scenic areas in the Scottish Highlands.
So, save the hassle of travelling abroad and see what the UK has to offer!
9. Do Sykes Cottages accept dogs?
Yes, Sykes Holiday Cottages offers a selection of pet-friendly properties that welcome dogs. These accommodations are specifically designated as pet-friendly, allowing guests to bring their furry friends along for the holiday.
Pet policies may vary depending on the individual property, so it's essential to check the specific details of each listing to ensure it meets your needs and requirements. Additionally, some properties may have restrictions on the number or size of dogs allowed, as well as any associated fees or conditions/recommendations for pet owners to follow during their stay.