An incensed vacationer described a “boutique” holiday property in Cornwall owned by comedian David Baddiel as a decaying “deathtrap” that required a thorough cleaning.
David Ross has been residing at the Watch House in Coverack with his wife Suzanne and his mother Gloria, who is 80 years old, after paying £2,727 for a week’s stay.
However, the family feels uncomfortable and has accused the vacation rental firm they booked with of “false advertising” because the four-bedroom coastal property, which Baddiel is attempting to sell for £1.5million, looks nothing like it appears on their brochure.
‘It truly is horrible and beyond repair – not what you would expect from something marketed as a “boutique hideaway home,”‘ said Mr. Ross, 60, of south London in a statement to MailOnline.
“The ceilings are peeling off, there are outlets hanging off the walls, lights hanging by the cords, and it is filthy.”
A window with a sign warning people not to open it because it is broken is there, and another window has a grill that hasn’t been cleaned in decades.
The entire space is a complete deathtrap, including the washing machine and dryer in the bathroom.
Before Baddiel paid £1 million for the property in 2011, Mr. Ross reserved the Watch Tower on the Lizard Peninsula as a treat for his aging mother, who used to frequently visit with her late husband.
In what is probably her “final holiday,” he thought it might revive some happy memories.
But the trip ended up being a misery, and the booking company, Cornwall Hideaways, only handed the family £200 in compensation, despite David’s claims that they had promised to repay them 10%.
When we voiced our concerns, they sent down some cleaners, but when they arrived, they admitted the task was much too much for them, according to Mr. Ross.
The garden is like a weedy wasteland since it has been so neglected.
“It needs a full renovation,” I said.
He continued, “I feel bad for bringing this to light, but I’m just so upset. I’ve always loved David Baddiel.
“Since the property is already reserved for the remainder of the year, I just wanted to let potential guests know what to expect.”
“Since it’s currently out of season, they’ll be paying more money than we did,” I said.
I believe that a week’s stay here should cost no more than £1,200, and that amount is only for the location.
Baddiel has been approached by MailOnline for comment.
The 58-year-old Fantasy Football celebrity has previously talked about his fondness for the Cornish coast, claiming that he lives there to concentrate on his writing and that he frequently goes to the neighborhood bar called The Paris with his wife Morwenna Banks, 60, who is from the region.
In 2020, Baddiel stated: “Our home in Coverack allows you to work with a view of the sea, which I quite enjoy doing.
“I think having the sea around is incredibly Zen,” says the author. It calms you down and is excellent at clearing your mind of any other thoughts you might be having.
The Watch House, which was constructed in 1810, claims to provide “a sea view from every room” and is ideal for “romantic” and “family” getaways.
The property has several large windows, clapboard walls, and exteriors made of Cornish stone.
According to rental firms, the home’s wood floors give it a “charming, classic vibe,” and one of the four bedrooms is located in the loft, which is characterized as a “den” appropriate for older kids and teenagers.
It can accommodate up to eight people, and both the sandy beach and the village of Coverack with all of its cafes, bistros, and ice cream shops are only a two-minute walk away.
‘Cornwall Hideaways, as the agent for the Watch House, is responsible for the care and cleaning of the property,’ a representative for the company stated.
On this occasion, we didn’t live up to our usual high standards, and while we sent our cleaning personnel to fix the problem, we also gave the customers a refund, which they were happy to receive.
Naturally, we have made sure that all necessary repairs are made to this lovely and cherished property.