Kings Wee Castle — Local services in Bancroft

We stayed at this cottage for a multi-generational family trip that included our elderly parents, in-laws, and cousins. It was a quiet, respectful stay—not a party weekend—so it was quite surprising and disappointing to find ourselves constantly feeling restricted by the overwhelming number of rules provided.

To start with the positives: communication with the hosts was prompt and efficient. They were very responsive to our inquiries before and during the stay, which we appreciated.

That said, the experience itself was mixed. The hosts provided a very extensive list of rules—pages and pages—well beyond what we’ve typically encountered at other rentals. We carefully reviewed and followed them, including paying the extra fee to leave garbage onsite, as offered. Despite this, we were still penalized afterward, which made us feel as though the rules were being enforced more rigidly than reasonably.

While the listing showcased attractive photos, the actual cottage didn’t fully reflect that impression. The primary bedroom and en suite were lovely, but the rest of the property lacked consistency. Several bedrooms offered little privacy, including one directly beneath a loft that was fully visible from above. An extension of the house appeared less well-maintained and not as comfortable as the main section.

We were also disappointed with the indoor amenities. The listing described a range of games and activities, which we relied on while packing—especially since we were traveling with older family members and expected rainy weather. Unfortunately, many of these items were broken or unusable. The dartboard, for example, was completely nonfunctional upon our arrival. It was clear that attention to guest-facing details was lacking.

Additionally, the property listing stated that bedrooms were equipped with blackout curtains or blinds, which influenced our decision not to bring eye masks. This turned out to be inaccurate—some windows lacked proper coverings entirely—making restful sleep difficult due to early morning light.

Finally, while the listing mentioned the pond was suitable for fishing, that also did not match our experience.

Overall, while we do believe the hosts intended to be transparent and accommodating, the reality did not align with the description. There appears to be a strong emphasis on enforcing a strict set of rules, but much less attention to ensuring that the guest experience matches what’s advertised. For a family-focused and respectful group like ours, it was disappointing to feel so constrained and scrutinized...

Thanks for your feedback. I do want to acknowledge that we may have left one or two towels dirty, and I sincerely apologize on behalf of my group for that. That said, if there were any concerns during check-in or our stay, I wish you had reached out directly — I would’ve been more than happy to address them.

We absolutely used and enjoyed your space, but our intention was never to leave it messy. In fact, we did all the basic tidying up before we left. If your expectation is that guests should do a full deep clean before checking out, I’m sorry — that’s not something we were prepared for, especially considering we paid $2,500 for two nights, including a $500 cleaning fee.

To be honest, there were a few issues we encountered when we arrived — like a blocked drain in the bathroom and a BBQ that was in no shape to use without a solid 30-minute cleanup from our side. We chose not to complain and focused instead on enjoying our stay.

So while I respect your right to leave a review, I also think it's only fair to be transparent about both sides. If you expect your guests to be professional cleaners, then perhaps it’s time we discuss a refund of that $500 thats was charged for cleaning.

Aranan Stay period: 2 nights...

The location and view are the only redeeming features of this cottage — everything else was a letdown.

We paid over $500 in cleaning fees for a 2-night stay, yet were expected to deep clean the place ourselves. On top of that, they charge $35 per garbage bag if you don’t take your trash home. For the price, this is unacceptable.

Other problems:

One bathroom was already clogged when we arrived. No working locks on bedroom doors — not okay for privacy. The listing claimed blackout curtains, but the main bedroom had transparent sheers — not private at all. No floor towels or mats in the bathrooms. Overall, the rules are excessive and made the stay feel more stressful than relaxing. Would not stay again or recommend. The property has potential, but the management and guest treatment need serious...