Unique Homestays - Newquay

Olivia H.

Another very Disappointing Experience at ‘Serpentine’ (Reflections) in Cornwall

Unfortunately, our stay at ‘Serpentine’ (also known as Reflections) in Cornwall was a very disappointing experience. I highly recommend reading both this review and others before deciding to stay here.

Our stay did not meet the price point or reflect the advertised photos. We encountered multiple issues during our time there, including:
Rising floor tiles throughout the property.
Stained laundry that was not up to standard.
A broken BBQ that made it impossible to enjoy the outdoor amenities as expected on arrival
The housekeeper still on the property when we checked in at 6:30 PM putting together a new BBQ
A lack of basic amenities that were advertised but not provided.
Upon arrival, we noticed that the property didn’t have many of the features that were promised, such as working electric blinds (they remained closed for the entire duration of our stay, leaving the rooms without natural light).
We also experienced a significant roof leak on Saturday night, further compounding the frustrations.
The property feels in need of some maintenance, love and attention.

For the price we paid, we expected much better quality and service. Unfortunately, our experience at ‘Serpentine’ was far from what was advertised, and we would not recommend staying here. Unique home stays did their best to achieve a refund from the owner, however the owner lacked compassion or understanding and offered us a 10% reduction. This left us feeling taken advantage of. Please use your hard earned money wisely and do not choose this property.

Maria E. L.

A Disappointing Stay at Four Hundred Summers – Not Worth the Price

I was genuinely excited about my stay at Four Hundred Summers, a property listed on Unique Homestays, but unfortunately, the experience fell far short of expectations — especially considering the premium price paid (£1054.20 for 5 nights, after applying nearly £200 worth of loyalty points).

From the first day, I noticed a woodlice infestation in the bedroom. While I understand countryside homes may attract some insects, finding up to 15 of them crawling on the floor daily was distressing and unacceptable for a luxury property. I reported this to the owner, who assured me they were harmless, but no action was taken throughout my stay.

Other issues included:
• A wooden hot tub that we couldn’t use due to limited firewood. We were given only one basket inside and one in the potting shed. Any additional logs were locked away. I ended up buying my own logs just to use the fireplace.
• A leaking tap in the bathroom that created a constant dripping noise.
• Half-used toiletries on arrival, which were only replenished after I chased for them.
• A small dead mouse in the garden — unpleasant, regardless of the rural setting.

Despite submitting videos and photo evidence, Unique Homestays declined to issue a refund or meaningful compensation, offering only reward points I do not intend to use again.

I’m sharing this review to help other guests make an informed decision. For a brand that markets itself as a provider of exclusive and high-end stays, the service and response were deeply disappointing.

Catherine S.

We’ve recently returned from a week long stay at the Brandy Thief and were blown away by the location, sea views and gorgeous interiors of the property. The cottage was beautiful and one of the most comfortable properties we’ve ever stayed at. It had everything we could possibly need and more. It’s been finished to a very high standard with beautiful furnishings and decorative items. There are historic photos in every room telling a story of the cottage and local area which is such a nice touch and add to the ambience of the cottage. We loved waking up to the sea every morning and being able to hear the waves crashing when we opened the window. The owner, Tina, was so helpful both before and during our stay, giving recommendations and suggestions to us. The village pub is a short walk from the cottage and is worth a visit (or 3) when staying at the cottage. The food was good and the staff welcomed you in like a local. Usually when our holiday comes to an end we find that we’re ready to return home, but not this time. We were very sad to leave the Brandy Thief and could easily have stayed for longer. We hope to return one day.

Anna M.

We feel so fortunate to have had our wedding reception at Gullivers Hall in the beautiful village of Bisley. The house which accommodated 21 of our guests is exceptional down to the smallest detail-a beautiful home for us all which made for the happiest weekend. The stunningly converted barn and farm buildings provided a magical space for the best evening. The owners, Kate and Martin Banks went above and beyond in helping to facilitate things and made the whole planning process enjoyable and exciting rather than stressful. We felt incredibly supported by them from the very start and they really did go above and beyond. Unique Home-stays were also great throughout the process. We look forward to returning to Gullivers Hall in the years to come.

James

We stayed at 'Aquila' on the bank of Haweswater in the Lake District and had a fantastic week. The property was great and the walking and the scenery were breathtaking. This is a very peaceful area of the lakes.

Warren F.

The Beach Shack - Portwrinkle
A fantastic property located in a great location and hosted by a professional company. We would highly recommend using Unique Homestays for future travels.

Schwuelpercattells C.

A wonderful place in a wonderful location. The house is tastefully decorated with all necessary amenities. The house also comes with a cayak which we also enjoyed using.
There are also restaurants and great pubs at a short distance and also some lovely walks close by - and even a great golf course.
However, our stay at the property was let down by an electrical fault which meant that we had no warm water for three days. We did contact the owner who would have liked to help us but was not able to find an electrician/plumber at short notice. After leaving the property, we notified the owner again of the situation who apologised and promised to get back to us - this did not however happen. Hopefully, this has now been resolved....

Thomas S.

We spent a week vacationing at "The Edge" in Whitsand Bay, Cornwall, and we can only say positive things. This little gem is located about 70 meters above the beach of the bay, nestled in the green hillside with a breathtaking view over the sea. The location is simply unbeatable.

The house itself is perfect in size and amenities. Nothing is missing – from the modern kitchen to the cozy bedrooms, everything is well thought out and designed for maximum comfort. We especially enjoyed the small terrace, where comfortable deck chairs invite you to relax.

A special highlight is the spectacular sunsets, which can be observed from the terrace. The peaceful surroundings, accompanied by the cries of seagulls and the sound of the sea, offer pure relaxation and tranquility.

In summary, we can say: Anytime again! "The Edge" in Whitsand Bay is the perfect place to escape everyday life and relax in a picturesque setting.