In July of 2008 we booked two Luxury Rooms at Harleys Guest House in Cobh, Ireland for early September. This booking was made online at [-] and we were charged a $24 deposit under the Bellavista Hotel.
After a longs day drive from Dublin we located Harley's Guest House located on the waterfront just as we expected. However, once we went to the door we found a notice to call the Bellavista Hotel. Upon calling the hotel we were told to drive to the Bellavista.
On our arrival, the desk cleck, told us that rooms at Harley's were not available but they had accommodation for us at the Bellavista some distance from the waterfront. I explained we had hope to stay on the waterfront and he stated the rooms had a view of the water. We agreed to look at the rooms and found a somewhat dated room with a small window that faced the bay. We told him we were sorry but we didn't want the rooms.
When we returned to the front desk a large man with a loud voice asked us what was going on. He stated we would have a Chinese Restaurant and Bar located on site. I explained we weren't happy with the accommodation. He then started yelling at us try his best to intimidate us into staying. We asked for our deposit back, to which he replied that it went to a booking agent.
I feel this man was running a bate and switch operation and want his guest to eat and drink at his establishment. I reported this to the local Tourist Center but have yet to receive a reply.
Fortunately, we found the Ard Na Laoi an older, well kept place overlooking the harbor. The owners are gracious and made us feel welcome. We had a wonderful stay in Cobh.

When I and my friend arrived at Harleys the hostess, a woman named Margaret greeted us and offered us a nice cup of tea. After the tea and a nice conversation where in Margaret told us what there was to do in Cobh, she showed us to our room. We stayed in room 7 which was very large and had a lovely view of the harbour. There were two very comfortable single beds, a lot of closet space and a spacious bathroom with a shower and a bath. We also found a water cooker and supplies to make ourselves a nice cup of coffee or tea. In the mornings we had a lovely Irish breakfast freshly made by Margaret. After two wonderful days in Cobh it sadly was time to leave again, I and my friend enjoyed our stay both at Harleys and in Cobh and we will definitely visit Harleys again next time we are in Ireland.

We arrived at cork airport and the taxi we booked through the guest house was already there. On the way back to the guest house we spoke to the drive about here and there and were very pleased with the information he gave us. First impression was very well. We arrived at the guest house and was welcomed by an old english lady, who was very helpful sorting our our lugage out and then she treated us with a hot cup of tea. We booked a room and assumed that we will get a sea view room but the room allocated to us though wasn't too bad but still was with no sea view. So upon my girlfriend's request they allocated us a different room. Then we met Mr. Murphy the owner of the guest house who happens to be from the northern ireland but was well aware of the surroundings and the attraction. He brought us to the bellavista hotel which is also a part of harleys guest house and was given a brief description of the cobh. The staff was very helpful. From then on, we get to see alot of Mr. Murphy and he gave us useful information about different places. We are planning to go back there soon.

We just returned from a trip around Ireland and ended our stay with a visit to Cobh. The town itself was great and I would highly recommend a visit; however, our accomodations were awful. We stayed 2 nights at Harley's Bed and Breakfast based on two factors: price and the website stated "all rooms have harbor views". When I filled out the reservation request, I reiterated "harbor view" and the reply confirmed that a harbor view room was reserved.

Upon our arrival, we were dismayed to discover that all rooms were NOT harbor view, the rate we were quoted was not honored, and the room was not as described. Although the website also stated "upon arrival you will be greeted by Kevin, the owner", we never saw him and even when we specifically requested to discuss our concerns with him he would not speak to us. When we returned home, I sent an email inquiring about the discrepancies and Kevin's reply was very rude and inconsiderate. He stated no one ever told us we were getting harbor view rooms and it was my fault if I expected something that no one promised. When I responded back with exact quotes from his website and a copy of the confirmation email, he never responded. It is clear that he intentionally markets his property in a misleading and inappropriate way.

This experience put a slightly sour ending to an otherwise great vacation. Please beware of Harley's Bed and Breakfast. As a footnote, he also owns Bellavista House and friends of ours reserved rooms there and had to leave because the room smelled so bad. They wound up staying at Water's Edge, which was a fabulous hotel and definitely has harbor views (to no one's surprise Kevin refuses to issue a refund to them). Unfortunately, there were no more rooms available for us at Water's Edge and was also the same price we paid at Harley's for views of a wall. If going to Cobh, I would recommend staying at Water's Edge.