David - verified booking

"My work took me away from home, so I have spent years (my personal record is eighteen months in the same room) in hotels, apart-hotels and rented accommodation of one sort or another so I have learned to concentrate on what is important to me when reviewing accommodation. Leaving aside the various amenties that can be offered, all I really want is cleanliness, quiet and comfort. Strathmore Lodge gave me those, and apart from an initial issue getting on to the WiFi any observations I have fall into the category of "gilding the lily" rather than important ommissions.A great location to explore Southport and surroundings. I wanted to be close enough to Liverpool to make it there and back for a football match without undue stress, and to Crosby to photograph Anthony Gormley's installation. It was ideal for both and the second time I visited Crosby beach, I went by train. There is a very good service to Liverpool and the beach is just a short walk from Hall Road station and most tourist attractions in the area seem to be well served by the railway. The town centre is a five minute drive and Ocean Plaza, where you can park for free to explore the pier and gardens, is a also a short drive.Although the furnishings were a bit twee for my taste - somewhat Louis IV in places - I realise that they would be just right for someone else and they more than met my needs for storage and functionality. The kitchen was well appointed and had just about everything I needed. My wife and I (I was on my own this time) usually take a "kit" with us to holiday cottages because there tends to be something missing but everything I needed was here. Except a stopper for the complimentary bottle of Prosecco, but some kitchen roll served the purpose and it was just as fizzy on day three. And no tablespoons, but that's not a major thing unless you plan to do a lot of baking I guess!The shower room was spotless, roomy, and well stocked. The bed was comfortable but I found the bedside table a bit small for my sleep apnoea machine, but I managed, and I'm sure it would be plenty big enough for most people. I liked the fact that there were blinds *and* curtains which kept the light out and the furnishings and all the floor coverings were clean and well presented.The leather sofa was a delight, but one thing that seems to be missing from most holiday cottages is somewhere to put your feet up. Even those in remote areas entreating you to spend a day yomping across the moors mostly fail in this respect. I was by myself so - shoes off - could lie on the sofa but some sort of footrest would have moved my "8" for comfort to a "10". All in all, positive first impressions which carried through the whole stay. The owner was very amenable beforehand and in person, answering my questions and attending to the WiFi problem promptly. One last thought - WiFi can be a pain anyway, but perhaps a dedicated Lodge router, rather than boosting from the main house would make life easier all round?"

Tracy - verified booking

"Beautiful cosy property that was a total home from home. Town of Lytham is fantastic with lots of great wee shops and eateries and great prom for walking dog. Town easy walking distance of house. Easy distance to explore Blackpool and surrounding area. Foxgloves was well laid out in the main my only quibble would be that only shower in property is in main bedroom and as my dad was sleeping in there meant I could not get showered until he eventually got up however I believe this is going to rectified in November when a shower getting fitted in main bathroom. Everything you need is in property and we were always lovely and warm. Little back garden ideal and secure for letting dog out. Nice quiet residential area except for when neighbour bangs front door closed (think their door handle broken) as I always jumped out of my skin thinking it was coming from our front door. Thankfully wasn't at unsociable times of the day. Had problems getting DVD player to work kept saying bad disc and Hoover didn't like me at all and would hardly pick up but these are very minor things. All in all I lived my stay at Foxgloves. Stella the owneris very friendly and helpful and I can't wait to come back and stay again."

Wayne - verified booking

"Boiler service was out of date, was told it would be serviced on second day of our stay, unsure if it was as we weren’t informed or left proof of service,there wasn’t any batteries in the carbon monoxide detector (I had to inform the owner who later fitted them) the smoke detector didn’t work either and a new battery had to be fitted.The mattress, pillows and bedding were all of poor quality, the mattress protector had seen better days and one bed didn’t have a mattress protector at all.Also a lot of the furniture looked tired and had seen better days.In the bathroom the shower head was completely broken and unusable.and The grouting needed renewing."

Angela - verified booking

"The location was great with good local amenities and access to public transport. Also the neighbours were very friendly and helpful. The house was comfortable and had most of what we needed for our stay. It was the overall cleanliness - or lack thereof - and the untidy gardens that let this place down. Also the quirky ideas about bed linen. I would recommend the front garden be turned into off road parking, as per the rest of the street, so that customer's cars are out of the way of the enormous tractors that thunder past twice a day. All this place really needs is a bit of time spent on it to deep clean the house and overhaul the gardens."

Lesley - verified booking

"Overall the cottage was very good, the kitchen and dining room were dark with little natural daylight, the lights were inadequate for the size of the rooms, especially the kitchen as you have to cook. The bedroom down stairs was very spacious, but personally it would have been better upstairs and the lounge (upstairs) downstairs with maybe french doors so you can enjoy the garden in the evening, I found the spiral stairs very difficult, and having to go up and down for drink or snacks whilst watching TV was inconvenient.The facilities were very good, everything you needed was there, and it was nice and clean."