We have stayed in many hotels and inns around Sidmouth over the years, so we can visit the Donkey Sanctuary. They are ok but we like our personal space and prefer to make our own food rather than eat out all the while. It was wonderful to find a self catering chalet right beside the Donkey Sanctuary that was available for our dates in May and we were very happy with our stay. The accommodation is compact but not cramped and although it was on a 'holiday park', it is private and relaxed. The unit is one of 3 in a small block and was in very good condition. The owners have equipped it really well and there were no bashed up pans and knives that don't cut! They had left us a bottle of wine and there was milk and butter in the fridge.
Best of all, you can walk across the road and see donkeys and are about 5 minutes from the main Sanctuary.
If you are going to stay here, remember to take some £1 coins for the electricity meter - old coins at present. You may also want to be aware that there is no wifi and almost no phone signal available, although you can get wifi just down the lane at the Sanctuary if you need to check emails etc! The holiday park itself was a bit sad seeming, with its main building closed for renovation, but it was a nice, quiet, friendly place.
The cottage was clean , with everything you need to self cater, including milk in the fridge, tea , coffee and sugar and a loaf of bread.. excellent.
Would definitely stay there again and would recommend to family and friends.
Debbie, the owner quick to respond to messages and very helpful.
Just the two of us spent a couple of nights here. The cottage was in a great location for us being so close to the Donkey Sanctuary and main road allocated parking was great. Cottage is comfortable and well equipped. We arrived when the weather was cold so glad we were well prepared with a stock of one pound coins for the electricity meter. Once the place was warmed up, it was fine. Value for money, this cottage meet our needs for a short break, walking distance to the sanctuary for coffee, breakfast, a meal if required and of course to visit the donkeys. Easy access main roads and lovely walks direct from the cottage.
Unfortunately, when we arrived, the cleaners had not carried out their duties, so the cottage was not ready for new guests. This is the reason for the 3 rating.
We contacted the owner and the situation was "fixed" to our satisfaction very quickly. We then really enjoyed our stay there. We wanted to visit the Donkey Sanctuary and being able to walk there from our accommodation was great for us. We would definitely stay there again
This is a lovely well maintained clean holiday chalet/cottage with all required amenities .We came to visit our adopted donkey and the sanctuary is minutes away. It was ideal for us for a short break. There are lovely walks from the cottage around the Donkey Sanctuary and we can recommend the food in their restaurant.
Unfortunately it has to be said our rating is for the accommodation only. It would be much less if the holiday park was to be considered .I acknowledge that our visit was off peak and admittedly the weather was not good but the whole site appeared run down and poorly maintained amongst other things the (very) overflowing bins next to the cottage remained that way throughout our stay.
We would recommend this holiday rental if you like donkeys,and possibly if it is in the holiday season