Frequently Asked Questions
We hope we have thought of everything you will want or need to know before booking your stay or arriving at Stable Cottages. If you do have a question that’s not answered below however, please email info@stablecottages.com or call Debbie on 07802662702 who will be happy to help.
WHO RUNS STABLE COTTAGES?
Stable Cottages are owned by Jason and Debbie Symonds who live adjacent to the cottages: "We are not on site 24 hours a day but we are always on the end of our mobile phones (Debbie – 07802662702, Jason – 07967648853) so if you need us at all, please just give us a call. Our eldest daughter Kirsty manages our bookings and admin and works from her home office in nearby High Halstow). You can reach her by emailing info@stablecottages.com"
WHAT ARE YOUR CHECK IN AND OUT TIMES?
Our change over date can be flexible during low season however it is generally a Friday or Monday. Arrival time is from 4.00pm and departure is by 10.00am. A few days before you arrive you will receive a message from our booking system confirming your cottage number and gate code. If you are intending to arrive late (after 9pm) please let us know in advance using the ‘Confirm Arrival Time’ button in this message.
CAN I CHECK IN EARLY OR CHECK OUT LATE?
Unfortunately our cottages take most of the day to clean so if we have someone else leaving or arriving that date (which is the case most of the time) we are unable to accommodate a late check out or early check in.
ARE CHILDREN WELCOME AT STABLE COTTAGES?
Well-behaved children of all ages are welcome at Stable Cottages. For the comfort of our other guests, it is our policy to allow no more than four children per group. We also allow a maximum of three children to every one accompanying adult. To help make your stay as a family more enjoyable, we have provided a variety of indoor and outdoor games (two football goals, a small climbing frame and slide and a play house) as well as a brand new outdoor adventure play park for children aged 5-12. All we ask is that whilst using these facilities, your children are supervised, well-behaved and respectful of both the equipment and our other guests. During your stay, please keep your children in the area surrounding the cottages and within your sight. For those with young children, our two four bedroom cottages are both equipped with two full sized cots and a high chair. Travel cots and high chairs can also be provided in our two bedroom cottages upon request. If you require cot bedding, please let us know.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Dogs are generally welcome at Stable Cottages at the additional cost of £20 per dog per week or part week. If you would like to bring your dog with you, please ask us before confirming your booking. Please note that dog breeds are subject to our approval in writing. If it is agreed that you can bring your dog with you, we ask that you respect our dog policy and do not leave your pet unattended in the cottage, keep them off the furniture and downstairs only, only exercise them in our dog walking area on a lead and remove pet hairs from rugs before you leave. Once you have left our grounds, there are plenty of public footpaths to take dogs on long walks (off the lead if you prefer). If you are planning on bringing your dog but would like to go out on a daytrip or for dinner without them, we can recommend an excellent registered dog sitter in the local village (Charlotte @ Canine Holidays - 07483297280). Charlotte's services must be pre-booked before your stay as she does get booked up in advance.
WHAT IS YOUR CLEANING POLICY?
We follow a thorough two-step cleaning and disinfecting process. When you arrive we also provide you with a limited number of cleaning products in the cottage (e.g. washing up liquid, bathroom cleaner, cloths etc.). Any additional products required once these have run out must be supplied by yourselves. In order to ensure that your cautionary deposit is returned to you in full after your departure, please ensure that the cottage is left clean and tidy as you found it when you arrived. If the cottage is left very dirty and requires excessive cleaning, we reserve the right to deduct an appropriate charge for this from your deposit before it is returned to you.
IS BEDDING PROVIDED IN THE COTTAGE?
Bedding and towels are provided and washed at 60 degrees or above between changeovers.
ARE TOILETRIES PROVIDED?
For convenience, we provide a roll of toilet paper in each bathroom. Please note that once these have been used, any further supplies will need to be provided by yourselves.
IS THERE A FULLY FUNCTIONING KITCHEN IN THE COTTAGE?
Each kitchen is fully-equipped with an oven, hob, and microwave. Our four bedroom cottages have an upright fridge freezer. Our two bedroom cottages have a fridge with a small freezer compartment, however for your convenience, there is a large freezer in the utility room with designated drawers for each cottage. Each kitchen also contains a toaster, kettle, Nespresso coffee machine, pots, pans, ovenware, cutlery, cooking utensils, two tea towels, a dish cloth and scourer. We also supply you with a bin bag to start you off.
DO YOU HAVE LAUNDRY FACILITIES ON SITE?
The cottages have a shared utility room with two washing machines, a tumble dryer, airer, iron and ironing board. Adjacent to the cottages there is a washing line for outside drying. Please note the tumble dryers are coin operated and accept £1 coins.
IS PARKING ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON SITE?
There is plenty of secure parking for guests at Stable Cottages. If you are planning on bringing more than two vehicles with you, please check with us that there will be space for additional parking before your arrival.
ARE HEATING CHARGES INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL FEE?
All of our cottages are provided with full central heating and the cost is included in the rental charge. We aim to be as green as possible and the heating and hot water in both the cottages and the pool room are provided by an eco-friendly biomass woodchip boiler.
IS WIFI AVAIALBLE AND FREE?
Free wireless internet is available in all the cottages. Wi-Fi is provided for internet searching and email connectivity, not for movie downloads or activity that exceeds reasonable use. Any charges made to Stable Cottages by our provider as a result of excessive activity will be taken from your deposit.
WHERE CAN I DISPOSE OF MY RUBBISH?
There are two large waste bins for your rubbish to the left of the car parking area. There are two large waste bins - one is for general waste and the other for dry mixed recycling (paper, cardboard, recyclable plastics etc. as detailed on the front of the bin). The smaller brown bin is specifically for the recycling of glass. We kindly ask that you do not leave any rubbish outside the cottages. Not only does this look unsightly but it can attract all kinds of unwanted wildlife!
DO THE COTTAGES HAVE SMART TVS?
Yes, each cottage is equipped with a Smart TV which you can use to watch Freeview or login to your Netflix account/other online streaming services if you have them. Please note we no longer provide DVD players in the cottages.
CAN I ARRANGE TO HAVE MY SHOPPING DELIVERED DURING MY STAY?
You are welcome to have your shopping delivered to Stable Cottages during your stay. If you do book an online delivery, please ensure you give the correct address including your cottage number (Cottage X and Stable Cottages, Fenn Croft, Newlands Farm Road, St Mary Hoo, Rochester, Kent, ME3 8RE), your contact number and that it is arranged at a time when you will be here to open the gates and collect it. Please do not select “Newlands Farm” as the delivery address as this is not our property.
AM I PERMITTED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL VISITORS ON SITE DURING MY STAY?
We allow guests staying with us to have a maximum of three day-time guests visit them during their stay. Visitors must be pre-agreed and registered with us (names and ages) by email (info@stablecottages.com) and will not be permitted to use any on site facilities (games room/gym/play park etc.) during their visit.
CAN I HOST A PARTY DURING MY STAY?
No. Stable Cottages is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the tranquil countryside surroundings. For the reason, parties and loud music are not allowed on-site at any time. If you are looking for somewhere to host a party or a lively break, Stable Cottages isn’t the place for you.
IS THERE SOMEWHERE I CAN EXERCISE?
We have a small gym area which comprises of a cross trainer, rowing machine, bench press and a few small weights. These facilities may only be used by guests over the age of 18.
WHAT IS THE 'GAMES ROOM' AND WHEN CAN I USE IT?
Our games room has been provided to make your stay at Stable Cottages as entertaining and enjoyable as possible. The games room is open from 9am until 10pm and contains a pool table that accepts £1 coins, a football table that accepts 50p coins, a table tennis table (you are welcome to bring your own bats if you are a professional!), a playpen, a children’s kitchen, Duplo and a selection of puzzles and board games. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult in the games room at all times. For the benefit of all our guests, we ask that you respect this area and leave it tidy.
Where IS THE 'outdoor play area'?
Our outdoor play park consisting of a slide, tunnel and swings, is located in the field opposite the cottages and may be used by children between the ages of 5 and 12 whilst under adult supervision.
DO YOU HAVE CCTV ON SITE?
For safety and security, please note that we have thirteen CCTV cameras on-site at Stable Cottages.
WHERE CAN I SMOKE DURING MY STAY?
Smoking is not permitted inside any of the cottages. There are benches and ash trays provided outside each cottage.
CAN I SET OFF FIREWORKS OR CHINESE LANTERNS
We respectfully ask our guests not to set off Chinese lanterns or similar. They are a known danger to animals and not appropriate for use here in the countryside. There are times when fireworks may be set off, but please ask Debbie or Jason first for advice on where and when it is possible to do this.
ARE THERE ANY ACCESS RESTRICTIONS AT STABLE COTTAGES?
We have produced the following Access Statement with the aim of providing, accurate and above all honest description of the accommodation, current facilities and the services on offer at Stable Cottages. This allows potential visitors to make an informed decision as to whether the property and services meet their needs. To view the Access Statement click here.
WHERE CAN I VIEW A COPY OF YOUR FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT?
Click here to view the latest copy of our Fire Risk Assessment.