Antwis Cottage, 11 Buttlands Close,, Warham Road, Binham, Norfolk, NR21 0DR

I decided to add a review on Antwis cottage to follow up a problem we had with the owner over the cancellation of our stay. We stayed as a family at the cottage during March this year which we enjoyed, so much so that we rebooked for October this year.

In conversation with the owner, our October weeks stay was agreed and our deposit was taken and cashed, along with all paperwork signed for the week. We were fortunate that having booked early enough the rate was £350 for the whole week.

A number of weeks later, out of the blue, I received a letter with a cheque for our deposit money, cancelling our stay and explaining that the owner has got the wrong dates established for the half-term week and we would need to find alternative accommodation. At this point all other cottages were considerably more expensive and many not available. I tried to explain to the vendor that her change of mind was costing us hundreds of pounds for a new cottage but she was adamant that she now wanted longer term guests to rent the property despite having asked us to stay in a previous email instead of the longer term guest option.

The fact that we had paid our deposit and it had been cashed along with the signed documentation for the weeks stay carried no weight with the vendor and they have continued to force us out of our agreed booking in preference of another guest.

Personally I feel that both parties having made the booking in good faith, but the vendor when realising their rate mistake or changed their mind should still have honoured the agreement. Any hotel chain would have to keep the booking, just because letting out cottages isn’t big business it shouldn’t be used as an opportunity to make a ‘quick buck’. Customers are paying good money to stay in their properties and expect to be treated with the same rights and respect as they would in any hotel chain.

[Editor: owner was contacted for a comment. No reply received at this time]