Unique Cottages Avis 

First time booking with Unique Cottages and can say it was straightforward. We had an issue ok arrival at the house but couldn’t get a hold of the owner in the first instance; called customer services at unique and spoke to a lady called Ruth. Ruth was very helpful and advised she would try the owners on another number and would let us know within 10 minutes, true to her word she called back within 10 minutes to advise the owner would be round to fix the problem. Owner came problem solved, and we continued to have a great stay. I would definitely book with them again and will be recommending to others.

After finding out that the cottage I was going to in January not only had building work going on next door, and now I found out that the hot tub that I thought I’d already booked and was all inclusive with the cottage was now optional and I would have to pay an extra £200! This also on top of extra electric if I used over £20 for my time there. I would have to get down and try and take a reading before and after getting there. I suffer from osteoarthritis, hence the want for the hot tub! I was disgusted how I was treated by 2 individuals there who basically said well you want get your deposit back due to their t&c. So I’ve lost £196!

Two weeks in the delightful Gorteneon Bothy is not long enough, we were woken most nights to the haunting sound of Stags right outside, it was magical and on drawing the curtains back in the morning we were met with the most beautiful view, fabulous walks from the house the most famous being singing sands that never disappoints, we saw a fish eagle and the most magnificent golden eagle. The west coast of Scotland is stunning but this most westerly part has an extra wildness to it that brings us back again and again and to the same cottage, so have already booked for next year

Learn to know what you are talking about. Knowledge of the cottages, area and access. Read the local press releases telling you not to travel. Advising clients to travel into a life threatening situation by giving false information. The road was actually closed from the Saturday until late Wednesday yet they told us they were clear on Monday morning. Only interested in re booking the cottage if you can't get there yet won't refund or re book anything. No help what do ever.

Our family rented Springbank house on Islay and the dealings we have had with agent and owner(indirectly) are diabolical.We`ve been blamed for causing damage and not being available enough to allow access to plumber and cleaners.The situation was reported promptly in good faith but now we are blamed for the outcome.
Also the cleaning (Mould) maintenance and presentation tried hard to spoil our family get together.A bitter taste indeed.

Our 3rd property rented through Unique cottages, excellent property and excellent customer service.

We had some issues but Unique eventually sorted them out

Unique Cottages are an example of a company which puts profit above all other factors and considerations. They seem to view the customer with a certain disdain, are impersonal in any communication and are not at all flexible in their approach. This year I asked for a change of date, which was initially refused, but then granted. The charge for this was hugely disproportionate to the administrative task involved (£50); which makes it more of a levy designed to discourage changing ones mind. Their cancellation policy is beyond strict and does not take into account the genuine need for flexibility in some instances.
The cottage that we booked is a place that my wife have enjoyed in the past but is now seeming to be rather run down. The owner whilst pleasant seemed to have little interest in the property and an air of neglect pervaded. My wife and myself actually had to clean when we arrived before it was habitable (spider webs, mouse droppings etc) The bed had an old mattress which has not been replaced over many years. The result? Pain
The point is that Unique cottages have no involvement in the overseeing the quality of the cottages they are agents for. This is a mistake and an oversight. All in all my experience has been one of poor value for money and an impersonal feeling that leaves you feeling like you don't ever want to go back.

I wish I had of read the reviews on this company before booking! We needed to be in Argyll for work purposes and as there wasn't any cottage availability for 14 nights we had to book 2 separate cottages with an overlap of 1 night. I did hold both cottages before booking to confirm both were available and then booked over the phone. 2 days before we were due to go in the first cottage I received a phone call telling me that the second cottage (loch cottage, near Inveraray) was no longer available as the owner was having a major issue with bins on the property - really? I was then told that actually the owner has now allowed the person staying before us to stay 3 nights extra which means we couldn't! With just over a week to find a replacement, I knew it was unrealistic given the popular area but said I would try. They offered us another property, miles away with no service/reception even for a TV - completely unsuitable for us and work so refused! I asked, if I couldn't find anything we would need a refund for both properties (Tighaneas, Crinan Canal and Loch Cottage) as the 2 were dependant on each other - I was told this would be fine and was apologised to as this is not my fault. I then rang back to say I could not find anything and would have to cancel both - they then told me I would only get the money back for the second cottage, meaning I would lose £800 for the first. I explained that we had to have somewhere to stay and we would be unable to get home after only 1 week due to being there for work, only to be basically told tough, they are 2 separate cottages even though I made it clear from the beginning that I could only book if both were available! DO NOT BOOK THROUGH THIS COMPANY AS THEY ARE NOT TRUSTWORTHY AND WILL LET YOU DOWN AT THE LAST MOMENT. Appalling customer service - I will be seeking legal advice!

We booked Cnoc Gorm cottage, Sallachy. I would give no stars I could. We specifically booked a three bedroom cottage with Wi-Fi. When we arrived one bed was not made and there was no Wi-Fi due to a storm earlier in the week which the owner failed to inform us of prior to our arrival. The cottage was dirty with crumbs still on work surfaces, hairs in the drawers and melted cheese on the grill pan. Not exactly a covid clean. The television stopped working after an hour. We also had no phone signal. We stayed one night due to tiredness after a six hour journey and we left the following morning. We complained straight away but were offered no refund or apology. This company seem more concerned about the owners rather than their customers.

Rented the Old Manse in Jemimaville, Cromarty through Unique Cottages. It was dirty, damp and had definitely seen better days. The lower floor of the house was pretty much out of bounds for the first two days until we got the dehumidifier running and removed 4 litres of water from the damp atmosphere. While Unique Cottages arranged for the house keeper to come back and clean it was 2 days later, so the first two days of our holiday were wasted. We asked for a partial refund but apparently the owner has to agree and wouldn't. Unique Cottages shouldn't be renting out properties that are unfit for purpose. We paid for a 4 bedroom house with 2 living areas and only got 3 beds and 1 living room. Don't recommend and won't be using again.

Spent a week in a cottage which we booked 15 months ahead as it had such a stunning position (Crinan House) Hated the cottage. It was dark and damp. Furnished with what Unique cottages called antiques but I did not appreciate sitting in a chair with holes in the arms. TV rarely worked. When I reviewed this on feefo, Unique cottages refuted all my criticisms. They stated that we had not aired the cottage (it was damp and musty when we arrived after 4 weeks of sunshine). They stated that we should have contacted the owner about the TV (the visitor book was full of people stating that it rarely worked). Unique cottages should be using feedback to improve the cottage, not trying blame the client for the cottage's faults. Won't use them again.

We rented a cottage with this company. They have now contacted us to say it has no water supply and that we won't be able to wash, shower, or drink the water during our stay. No refund or alternative proposed, we are simply expected to go there with our family.
To quote directly from their email to us: "Please could you confirm that you have received this information and we do hope that this will not detract from your enjoyment of your holiday.".

Be wary of booking with this company.
Not all is transparent.
We booked a cottage through them, paid their cancellation fee and when it turned out there was no internet at the property, we had to cancel.
We were told the cancellation fee did not cover us and we would have to forfeit all our deposit.
Bad experience, like many other people.

Unique cottages were excellent. The website straight forward and easy to use. The cottage was fine. I thought the price was reasonable. Unlike some reviewers below, we got our £100 deposit back within 5 days.
We own a holiday cottage ourselves, currently we use a different agency for bookings, and see a mix of good and bad renters, just like there are good and bad owners. We have had damage and theft. A broken wine glass is not worth mentioning, but stolen items and damages amounting to hundreds of £s make the £100 deposit a great idea. If there are owners keeping that deposit then they are not good owners.

Bit surprised to read of people not getting their housekeeping deposit back because they are keeping much of ours also . They claim it's for electric use but we were out every day if we had used so much perhaps the owners should look at changing the radiators as they are extremely inefficient. Small issues with the cottage made me wonder if UC bother to inspect the properties they manage periodically. A few minor repairs were called for Surely a tiny property can't be using well over £3000 electric a year which is what it adds up to .

We had an extremely disappointing stay at East Cliff Cottage, Portpatrick. The furniture, furnishings and decor were old and shabby, including an ancient suite, thin, uncomfortable mattresses on home made bedframes, ancient bedding, and wallpaper actually hanging off the ceiling. There was an infestation of wood lice, we caught over 100 in our one week stay. And the cottage was filthy. There are cobwebs, dust, grease and grime everywhere, and the kitchen was disgusting - the smell from the oven and microwave was appalling. We had to wash every piece of cutlery and crockery before we could use it. When we complained to Unique Cottages, all we were told is that we were not entitled to compensation (we hadn’t asked for any) and that they would pass on our views to the owner. A visit to the property by them would have been advisable, but Unique Cottages did not even want to see the photographs we had taken evidencing our grievances. We won’t ever use them again, and would advise others against doing so.

Housekeepers deposit withheld without good reason. Spurious reasons not true, no evidence and no way to dispute. Beyond disgust with how this company can behave.

On the Unique Cottage website there is a ‘what to expect’ in the Cottage list. When we arrived at Taolain Cottage there were a considerable number of items on that list that were not present in the Cottage. There was no teapot; can opener; casserole dishes; potato masher; serving spoons; serving dishes; bowls(s); sieve; food storage containers; fruit bowl; vegetable rack, mats (if mats means coasters) and ironing board. Also no hair dryer. The Cottage, although in a stunning location, also lacked any homely touches. A clock would have been a useful item.
We were very surprised by Unique Cottages unhelpful response. We felt as the Cottage was not up to standard that some kind of compensation offer should be made. They made it clear that no compensation would be offered, suggesting that we could make our tea in the cups! Very unhelpful!
A poor response by Unique Cottages.