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Ballavartyn Holiday Homes
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About
4.0
#1 of 1 villa in SantonLocation
Cleanliness
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Six beautiful homes set within the grounds of an exclusive equestrian centre. Each one is individually named after a famous race horse - 'Nijinski', 'Red Rum', 'Desert Orchid', 'Secretariat', 'Arkle' and 'Northern Dancer'. These homes cater for between one and six people, all of which accept pets and two are disabled friendly. Bookings are available throughout the year.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Room features
Kitchenette
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HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
Location
Santon IM4 1HT
Getting there
Ronaldsway Airport
4.3 mi•
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Car Hire
121 Restaurants
within 5 miles
15Reviews1Q+A1Room tip
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Detailed Reviews
Despite some misgivings triggered by the reviews here, I relied on the IoM Gold Award and 4 & 5 star rating when booking accommodation at Ballavartyn. I should have listened to the Trip Advisor reviews.
Booking and communication was odd. I booked online a few weeks in advance but received messages changing our cottage twice before we got there. No information on directions or checking in was sent to me, and there was no information in the cottage (Admiral/9).
Nobody checked to see if we had settled in and there was no welcome pack. Cottages always provide something - some bread and milk, teabags, even scones or a bottle of wine. Ballavartyn provided nothing. Not even soap or soap powder.
As noted by a previous visitor, there was an ironing board but no iron. Like that previous occupant, we bought an iron from Tesco! Unlike that previous occupant, we did not buy coasters as we reckoned the owners did not care whether teacups were placed without them on the tables.
The kitchen and bathroom were clean although the toilet seat was broken. The bedroom floors had been vacuumed but the laminate floor running through the rest of the house was filthy. I don’t think it had ever been mopped.
The rug in the living room was heavily stained.
The main bedroom was just about OK but the bedding was cheap quality and there was a Rentokil cockroach box in the corner of the room. Rather off-putting!
There was no dedicated car park space outside and the spaces seemed to be occupied by local cars most of the time. One parked so close to me that I had to get into the driver’s seat via the passenger door. The communal outside space was really scruffy with bits of rubbish including an old car exhaust on the grass outside the cottage.
The cottage had a dog-secure fenced patio area which would have been great had it been swept clean.
The mad thing about this place is that somebody seems to have started it off four or five years ago with some good ideas but it now appears to have been allowed to deteriorate.
If you are looking for four or five star accommodation, this is not it.
Booking and communication was odd. I booked online a few weeks in advance but received messages changing our cottage twice before we got there. No information on directions or checking in was sent to me, and there was no information in the cottage (Admiral/9).
Nobody checked to see if we had settled in and there was no welcome pack. Cottages always provide something - some bread and milk, teabags, even scones or a bottle of wine. Ballavartyn provided nothing. Not even soap or soap powder.
As noted by a previous visitor, there was an ironing board but no iron. Like that previous occupant, we bought an iron from Tesco! Unlike that previous occupant, we did not buy coasters as we reckoned the owners did not care whether teacups were placed without them on the tables.
The kitchen and bathroom were clean although the toilet seat was broken. The bedroom floors had been vacuumed but the laminate floor running through the rest of the house was filthy. I don’t think it had ever been mopped.
The rug in the living room was heavily stained.
The main bedroom was just about OK but the bedding was cheap quality and there was a Rentokil cockroach box in the corner of the room. Rather off-putting!
There was no dedicated car park space outside and the spaces seemed to be occupied by local cars most of the time. One parked so close to me that I had to get into the driver’s seat via the passenger door. The communal outside space was really scruffy with bits of rubbish including an old car exhaust on the grass outside the cottage.
The cottage had a dog-secure fenced patio area which would have been great had it been swept clean.
The mad thing about this place is that somebody seems to have started it off four or five years ago with some good ideas but it now appears to have been allowed to deteriorate.
If you are looking for four or five star accommodation, this is not it.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I recently stayed at the Ballavartyn cottages at Santan, what can I say, the cottages are decorated and furnished to a very high standard, and on arrival it was very clean and tidy, it had everything in the kitchen that I needed, it even had a dishwasher which I did not expect which was great. Jodi and Ed Who manage the place could not do enough for me they were brilliant making sure I had clean towels every day, and checking everything was okay every day or so, I would highly recommend Ballavartyn cottages as your place to stay whether it be for A weekend or whatever your reasons are I’m sure you will be very happy there in your time spent under the care of very experience Ed and Jodi. I would definitely stay there again it felt like home from home, and to top everything off you have beautiful scenery when you sit outside with a glass of wine. Five star service for me .
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Date of stay: June 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Long weekend away to IOM and we chose to stay here due to the central location. We like to stay self catering and this cottage was one of the nicest we have ever stayed in, it was lovely and peaceful and had everything we needed. Our accommodation was 4 bedroomed, one with partial sea view and two bathrooms, living room with large leather sofa and tv and a well equipt kitchen complete with washing machine and all mod cons and dining area. The whole place was very clean and looked pretty new and newly decorated. We were very happy and will stay here again.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here over Christmas. Very difficult to get responses. No welcome. No supplies (unless you count 1 teaspoon worth of sugar, no washing up liquid etc). Had to ask for broken chairs to be replaced. Only 1 mug and few glasses (supposed to be a house sleeping 8). Most saucepans didn’t work on the induction job. Fans in bathrooms dirty. Lots of marks and dents in walls. No disabled parking. Downstairs bedroom too small for wheelchair access. Had to carry our son into the room. Enjoyed visiting the island though, so will return but not stay here.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in Cottage 9 …. Wow where do I start ! Jodie was amazing. She greeted us and explained that it was our holiday but she was there if we needed her . When we got in the cottage it was lovely and clean and spacious , a real home from home , which is so lovely when you have children with you . Sorry I didn’t get the his name ( I believe he was Jodie’s husband ) was cutting the grass but happily stopped and chatted with myself and the family nothing was really too much trouble oh and not forgetting his dog ( I would of kidnapped him if I could 🤣) waking up on a morning with lovely views and being able to watch the horses was an absolute dream . We are coming back again soon and hopefully we me and my husband can get away for a weekend too x
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is the second time we have stayed here, and we have always had a warm welcome from Jodie, who is fantastic and can not do enough for you. It is quiet and relaxing; the cottage was clean and spacious and had everything we needed during our break. The shower was great, with lots of power and the beds were very comfy.
We would definitely stay here again.
We would definitely stay here again.
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Very attractive fairly new build with tasteful decor, and kitchen equipped with microwave, induction hob cooker, large oven, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, and lovely "silent" washer-dryer. An ironing board was also provided, but no iron so we had to buy one. Of note, there were excellent disabled facilies in ours should they be needed, but the bedrooms really need dressing tables with mirrors - sitting on the floor by a power point for the hairdryer, squinting into the mirror door of the wardrobe on the opposite wall is not ideal! It was disappointing that these otherwise lovely holiday cottages are lacking what is usually offered in terms of the little touches that make a big difference. Being picky, there was a random assortment of unmatched cutlery, with lots of larger spoons but fewer knives and forks, and only 3 teaspoons, no jug to put milk in, no placemats to protect the polished table (so we bought some), no cleaning items for the shower rooms or kitchen sink which really are needed during a 2-week stay, and no spare bin bags. The remote for fhe DVD player was missing so we had to buy another too!. It is also unusual not to have a "welcome tray" either (others we have stayed in around the IOM, UK, and indeed Europe usually provide a small carton of milk, teabags, bisuits, maybe even some local cheese, etc, just to make you feel welcome after your journey). And please could we ask that cottage numbers are painted on the parking spaces (as most multi-property locations allocate your own space)? The cottages are advertised as having parking, but a few times we came back to find nowhere to park, with most spaces taken up by local cars that were clearly not hire cars, possibly visitors to other cottages or the equestrian centre.
We enjoyed our stay, but sadly this might not be our first choice for a return visit.
We enjoyed our stay, but sadly this might not be our first choice for a return visit.
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myself and family stayed here for a week, we had 2 properties between us and had similar issues in both although mine was the worst. It was advertised for 5 people but only had seating for 3, No mirrors upstairs and no hanging space in one room. Although a self catering property there were no utensils at all, not even a wooden spoon. There was only one wine glass, one lid for two saucepans, four bowls etc.
They could be really lovely as the location is excellent, they just lack the finishing touches. I also found communication with them was not easy, very slow response if at all.
They could be really lovely as the location is excellent, they just lack the finishing touches. I also found communication with them was not easy, very slow response if at all.
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Early days, very new and a good quality build. Seems to have been built as an add on to the equestrian centre, nothing wrong with that but if it is being sold as a holiday home it needs some work. Totally agree with Helen W, (previous review) basics are lacking and many things are a 'make do'. It's the little things that make the difference. WiFi was pretty good but then again we were on our own so had full signal.
Not that we needed it but the disabled facilities in cottage 9 are first class, i am sure when needed it would work well.
Horse lovers would love it, but if not a family group would need to get out and about, it is in the middle of no where, but then again in the isle of man nothing is far away.
Keep up the good work but a bit more attention to detail would pay off.
P.S. Other than phoning Jody on our arrival for directions as we could not find the cottages, we did not see anyone for the duration of our stay, Jody said call if we needed anything, but that was it. Peacefull and restfull weekend.
Not that we needed it but the disabled facilities in cottage 9 are first class, i am sure when needed it would work well.
Horse lovers would love it, but if not a family group would need to get out and about, it is in the middle of no where, but then again in the isle of man nothing is far away.
Keep up the good work but a bit more attention to detail would pay off.
P.S. Other than phoning Jody on our arrival for directions as we could not find the cottages, we did not see anyone for the duration of our stay, Jody said call if we needed anything, but that was it. Peacefull and restfull weekend.
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Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â definately cottage 9 for disabled, all one floor and plenty of room with fully equipped wet room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ballavartyn
First thing we noticed were all the vehicles. There must be about 50 horse boxes of various sizes dotted around, it is an equestrian centre, however some were newish, some old and some scrap by the looks of them. Also many cars that look like scrap on trailers, and a car sales business along side the stables, dog kennels and holiday accommodation. The access road is clogged with parked vehicles that never seem to move, which make visibility very bad on the bends. It looks more like an industrial estate than somewhere you would choose to go on holiday.
On arriving at no. 9, Admiral, key in door as promised but no welcome pack, which is normal in a property advertised as this standard, no information about where to find anything or anyone, there were a few brochures about different places, no suggestions of where to eat should you wish to eat out etc, which is usually included in an information folder.
They did not provide even basic cleaning materials to wipe round the kitchen and no cloths, there was a bottle of fairy liquid but I had to go out and buy some sponge scourers to do the washing up! A small brush and pan to clean the floor which looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in months. Dust, stains from spilt drinks, dog hairs, fluff just under the chairs, unacceptable. The hard floors were so dirty we had to clean the bottom of our bare feet (I like walking around in bare feet), before getting in bed. We’ve stayed in 3rd world countries and had better accommodation. We had to move the armchair round to face the t.v. as being disabled Imy Husband struggled to get up off the settee, which was broken we noticed, and the hair from under the chair would have made a new dog!
We had no idea where to find anyone, tried ringing, no answer. Both toilet seats were loose, one slid completely sideways when I sat on it, I nearly fell on the floor. The emergency pull cord in the wet room is by the toilet, so if you are going to fall make sure its by the toilet, not in the shower. No-one came after we arrived to make sure everything was ok, which I would definitely have expected. We had been there from Saturday to Thursday before we saw anyone, and that was only by chance, and we complained about the toilet seat, someone did then come round to fix it saying we should have gone to the office, but there is no sign for an office, no information as to where the office is, and I didn’t want to go wandering round horses and stables to find anyone. Mismatched crockery, dirty knives and forks, horrible thin towels. No complimentary toiletries which I would expect for a property of this rating. Traps in both bedrooms, not sure if for mice or large insects. Grass and weeds over 30cm high by the cottage and round the garden swing, hose pipes left thrown on the road and dried cut grass everywhere. It looks a tip. It says on the information there is a DVD player, there is not. There is supposed to be a hairdryer but having looked everywhere couldn’t find one, a good job I brought my own. The beds are really uncomfortable with springs coming through on one of them and sticking into your hips, when we came home I noticed bruises on my Husbands legs from lying on springs. The outside patio area with table/bench seating is unusable as the table and seating is covered in bird poo and hasn’t been cleaned for years, there are a vast quantity of dead plant stems lying around all over the area and weeds galore plus grass between all the brick blocking. Total waste of space. How on Earth they were given the rating they have I don’t know. Obviously hasn’t been looked at for years. Needs re-classing, downwards to 1 or maybe 2!
First thing we noticed were all the vehicles. There must be about 50 horse boxes of various sizes dotted around, it is an equestrian centre, however some were newish, some old and some scrap by the looks of them. Also many cars that look like scrap on trailers, and a car sales business along side the stables, dog kennels and holiday accommodation. The access road is clogged with parked vehicles that never seem to move, which make visibility very bad on the bends. It looks more like an industrial estate than somewhere you would choose to go on holiday.
On arriving at no. 9, Admiral, key in door as promised but no welcome pack, which is normal in a property advertised as this standard, no information about where to find anything or anyone, there were a few brochures about different places, no suggestions of where to eat should you wish to eat out etc, which is usually included in an information folder.
They did not provide even basic cleaning materials to wipe round the kitchen and no cloths, there was a bottle of fairy liquid but I had to go out and buy some sponge scourers to do the washing up! A small brush and pan to clean the floor which looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in months. Dust, stains from spilt drinks, dog hairs, fluff just under the chairs, unacceptable. The hard floors were so dirty we had to clean the bottom of our bare feet (I like walking around in bare feet), before getting in bed. We’ve stayed in 3rd world countries and had better accommodation. We had to move the armchair round to face the t.v. as being disabled Imy Husband struggled to get up off the settee, which was broken we noticed, and the hair from under the chair would have made a new dog!
We had no idea where to find anyone, tried ringing, no answer. Both toilet seats were loose, one slid completely sideways when I sat on it, I nearly fell on the floor. The emergency pull cord in the wet room is by the toilet, so if you are going to fall make sure its by the toilet, not in the shower. No-one came after we arrived to make sure everything was ok, which I would definitely have expected. We had been there from Saturday to Thursday before we saw anyone, and that was only by chance, and we complained about the toilet seat, someone did then come round to fix it saying we should have gone to the office, but there is no sign for an office, no information as to where the office is, and I didn’t want to go wandering round horses and stables to find anyone. Mismatched crockery, dirty knives and forks, horrible thin towels. No complimentary toiletries which I would expect for a property of this rating. Traps in both bedrooms, not sure if for mice or large insects. Grass and weeds over 30cm high by the cottage and round the garden swing, hose pipes left thrown on the road and dried cut grass everywhere. It looks a tip. It says on the information there is a DVD player, there is not. There is supposed to be a hairdryer but having looked everywhere couldn’t find one, a good job I brought my own. The beds are really uncomfortable with springs coming through on one of them and sticking into your hips, when we came home I noticed bruises on my Husbands legs from lying on springs. The outside patio area with table/bench seating is unusable as the table and seating is covered in bird poo and hasn’t been cleaned for years, there are a vast quantity of dead plant stems lying around all over the area and weeds galore plus grass between all the brick blocking. Total waste of space. How on Earth they were given the rating they have I don’t know. Obviously hasn’t been looked at for years. Needs re-classing, downwards to 1 or maybe 2!
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Date of stay: May 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
"definately cottage 9 for disabled, all one floor and plenty of room with fully equipped wet room."Read full review
LOCATION
United KingdomIsle of ManSanton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ballavartyn Holiday Homes
Which popular attractions are close to Ballavartyn Holiday Homes?
Nearby attractions include Laser-Mayhem (3.7 miles), Manx Aviation and Military Museum (4.5 miles), and Home of Rest of Old Horses (1.1 miles).
Is parking available at Ballavartyn Holiday Homes?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Ballavartyn Holiday Homes?
Conveniently located restaurants include Aura Bar & Bistro, Flavours Indian Cuisine, and Enzo's Restaurant.
Are pets allowed at Ballavartyn Holiday Homes?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.
Are there any historical sites close to Ballavartyn Holiday Homes?
Many travellers enjoy visiting St Michael's Isle (4.5 miles), St Trinian's Church (4.0 miles), and Hango Hill (5.0 miles).
Is Ballavartyn Holiday Homes accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.