Fineststays Reviews 4

I had to cut our week short as the bed was so uncomfortable my husband and I could not sleep.
It was also dirty
Finding other people's hair on the floor and even crumbs on the table.

Booking our stay was very easy. They supplied clear information and a contact number for a dedicated person while we were staying. We had to contact her a couple of times with minor issues and she was very helpful

We stayed at Sandhills, Salcombe through Finest Stays and Coastal Concierge, and I feel compelled to share an honest account of our experience to warn anyone expecting a premium property or service.

On paper, Sandhills looks spectacular, the photos show a bright, immaculate, high-end home with incredible views. In reality, it fell far short. The upkeep, cleanliness, and service were all below the standard you’d expect for a property of this price point.

Here’s what we experienced:

Filthy windows that completely ruined the otherwise beautiful view, so streaked and dirty it was hard to enjoy what should have been the house’s biggest feature.

Children’s toys and furniture scattered throughout the living areas, along with a storage room filled with patio cushions and clutter, all hidden from the property photos. It totally undermined the luxury feel you expect when booking a supposedly “top-end” home.

No welcome experience whatsoever, no milk, no biscuits, no card. Just some random food left behind in the freezer. Ironically, on our final day, flowers and a card were delivered for the next guests. When I asked why we hadn’t received anything similar, the message was ignored.

The patio area was a mess, covered in weeks, if not months, of dead leaves, acorns, and debris. The entrance and pizza oven area in particular were filthy and completely uninviting.

The pizza oven itself was old, rusty, and dirty, so we couldn’t use it at all.

The driveway has failed at the bottom, it’s sunken enough that cars scrape the front when entering or leaving. Despite taking care, my car was scratched underneath. Unfortunately, there’s no alternative parking.

The house was far too hot, with unclear heating controls and no instructions on how to adjust it.

Several toilets smelled damp and musty from the start. We had to air them out and buy air fresheners ourselves.

No vacuum was provided initially, so we had to request one just to tidy up.

When we raised all this in our feedback, the response from Finest Stays was polite but dismissive. They thanked us for the “valuable feedback” and said they’d improve things for future guests, but offered nothing in the way of a gesture, refund, or goodwill for us. In other words: “Sorry your holiday was disappointing, but tough luck, we’ll do better for the next people.”

We’ve been renting high-end properties across Cornwall and Devon for over a decade, and I’ve never encountered a firm that hides behind glossy photos while delivering such poor presentation and aftercare.

Be warned: Finest Stays do not offer the “finest” experience. The photos hide the truth, the upkeep is poor, and the service is shocking. Once they have your money, they simply don’t care.

Avoid this company - there are far better, genuinely premium agents in the South West who understand what a luxury stay should feel like.

Holiday home, Avon Rock, rented through Finest Stays, advertises luxury accommodation with glowing photos and description. In reality this is not the case.

Lacking in maintenance inside & out, general cleanliness, unsafe cords to window blinds, unprotected 6ft drop from lawn to front steps, overgrown lawn of dandelions, cover missing from fire alarm, tiny kettle & toaster for 8 people, weeks of rubbish & recycling piled up at entrance.

Finest Stays does not appear to have checked the accommodation over for a few years. Sticky notes over the house of not what to do. A cheap bottle of Buck’s Fizz as a welcome.

When complained to Finest Stays that accomodation not as advertised-and compensation requested this was declined. Don’t be fooled by glossy advertising.