Wigwam Holidays Montrave Estate — Local services in Great Britain

Edit to reply to the property’s response: I did NOT confirm I felt safe. I said “I’m sure it’s perfectly safe and it’s a beautiful cabin and campground but, of course, personal safety and comfort is a subjective feeling.” In addition, how was I supposed to get your message offering to come by when I had NO service? Instead, Airin unnerved me by showing up unannounced as I was leaving the next morning. All of this could have been resolved by refunding me. I’m not even asking for all 3 nights - only the 2 unused nights. Instead, we’ve gone back and forth for days on end and I’m left feeling like you only care about the money and not your guests.

I was a solo female traveler and didn’t realize this was such a remote location when I booked. I reserved for three nights through Booking.com but checked out after one night as I felt very vulnerable about my personal safety. My one night there was very restless and nerve-racking. There was very little in the way of security for my safety including flimsy, flexible walls and all-glass French doors with one small, unsubstantial lock. I also could not get any cellular service inside the cabin from my prepaid international plan. The property also does not offer WiFi which apparently was stated in their information page but I didn’t really concern myself about as I had my international plan - until I got there and couldn’t get service. But seriously, what place doesn’t offer WiFi in this day and age?

Because of the high review, I’d made a non-cancellation booking for three nights but checked out after the first night following my message to the property detailing my concerns. I even stripped the bed and left the towels together in the bathroom.

The managers had offered to come to visit me to address things but, again, because I had no service, I didn’t get their message until I’d gone out to my car in the morning and therefore never agreed to a visit (they couldn’t have done anything to change things, anyway).

The wife ended up coming the next morning ANYWAY, which was quite uncomfortable as she turned up unannounced as I was about to leave. Again, not a secure feeling to have someone just knock on your full glass door unexpectedly without warning.

The property’s head office refused to refund me as I’d made my reservation through Booking.com but what is particularly galling is that I looked the next night and there was nothing available so they were able to rebook my cabin.

To top things off, I’ve messaged Booking.com three times over the past 6 days asking for them to at least consider a refund of the two nights. I’ve received auto responses that they promised to get back to me within 24 hours but my messages have gone ignored.

Overall, just not a nice experience from either the property or Booking.com. I would highly dissuade a solo traveler, especially a female, from staying here.

*Edit - I’ve finally received a response from Booking.com and they are pinning the refund on the property (while the property is pinning it on Booking.com) so as a consumer, I’m caught in the middle. What happened to being gracious and responsive? I don’t go around asking for refunds but in this case, a refund of my unused nights in which the property didn’t even incur any utility or housekeeping fees would be appropriate customer service....

This place is absolutely lovely with one important caveat: * you 100% need a car to access this place and get around safely*

There are two bus stops nearby but the reality is that the walk from either of those stops to the wigwams is not safe at all for pedestrians. The shoulder of the road is very very narrow, and cars are whipping by at high speeds. Our bus driver wouldn't even drop us off at the designated bus stop when we arrived because she and other locals on the bus said it was very unsafe to walk from there. She kindly dropped us at the main gate for the wigwams instead but you can't guarantee other drivers will do the same. That said, we did have to drag suitcases at least a kilometre up a gravel driveway from there to our wigwam.

Also you must bring food with you. There are limited to no options to get food once there (unless it's pizza night at the wigwams), if you didn't drive. The public transit is very infrequent from the bus stops, especially in the evening. Thankfully, the wigwams are set up with everything you need to cook as long as you bring groceries.

If you're driving to and from the wigwams, this place is perfect. The owners have clearly put so much care into setting this site up. The cabins are very comfortable, well equipped and super clean. The trails around the property are lovely, as are the herds of deer.

Obviously the public transit issue is outside of the owners' control, and it's not a knock against them, but it is important for people booking to understand how risky planning to walk to and from this location is (especially if you're attending a wedding at nearby Pratis Barns as we were which would require walking at night).

If you have a car, I would 100% recommend...

The owners/site managers were super friendly, and the home made pizza's fab. The inside of the accommodation was spotless. The outside looked a little tired, and the wooden seating could have done with a rub down and been treated. ||I went with a friend, and found the accommodation quite cramped for two people (not a couple). There is little storage, so I imagine going as a family would be a challenge. The mattresses were thin - so sleeping on the pull out bed felt like sleeping on a park bench. We had chipped bowls and plates, however we were offered plastic alternatives, (not a deal breaker as we were only two people and found two undamaged of everything). The toaster would not work as it kept tripping the electrics. I did not notice any PAT testing stickers on anything, but am unsure if this is a requirement for Scotland. I left a note about the toaster in the cabin as I left, and got an immediate email response that I should have gone to reception and let them know. (I didn't as I was in my pj's and really did not want to get dressed to find someone).||Tip - for those that don't know the area, there is very poor phone signal - text messages would sometimes get through, but a...