6 Red Sails

We were three couples who have been going away for a 4 night break for the last 20+ years.

Our choice of Red Sails at Sandbanks was an excellent one. The property is very well maintained and exceptionally clean so we had no issues whatsoever. The kitchen was well equipped. We found the internet slightly slow but it was not a problem. The leather coach in the living room probably needs to be replaced in the next year or so as it wasn't that comfortable but we were only using it during the evenings so it wasn't a problem.. We had three cars and there is only space for 2 on the driveway so one of us used BCP via Ringo parking outside on the road. Mon afternoon to Friday morning cost us £78.60 which we have share amongst the three couples. There is a bus stop for the no. 60 going to Poole just over the road and the no. 50 can be used to go to either Swanage or Bournemouth just by the Sandbanks ferry. We used this too but the winter time table was in use and there is only one per hour. In the summer they are every 30 minutes. There are a couple of restaurants in walking distance - Rick Stein and The Tandy, we used the later one evening, it was ok but nothing special. Thank you for allowing us to rent your property we all had a memorable time. A note for the maintenance team - the toilet seat in the downstairs bathroom needs to be tightened up.

6 Red Sails is a striking semi-detached town-house nestled in the eclectic mix of mansions in Sandbanks.

The accommodation is generally clean and tidy with plenty of space - though the gutters could do with the pine needles being emptied from the large pine trees that shade the property. On the ground floor is a play room with a child-sized sofa and TV, bathroom and bedroom; the first floor is an open-plan kitchen/diner/lounge and a small balcony (with enough chairs to cater for any guests you might have), there is a tele mounted high in the seating area. The third floor features the master bedroom with shower area and large Juliet-balcony doors; and to the back of the property is a twin bedroom with en-suite shower. There is plenty of glass in the property providing a light and airy space, but a lack of black-out curtains means that light is pervasive from sunrise. The property feels like it could do with a snagging pass, light bulbs need changing, some of the doors don't close, there's nowhere to put your soap in the showers, no toilet roll holders etc. The kitchen is oddly equipped, you're sorted if you want to bake some muffins, but normal cooking requires a little more creativity. The sofa is probably due for a refresh. The connecting walls to the neighbouring property allows sound to travel, so your stay can be subject to the quietness of whoever is staying in the next property. Additional to the expected noise of sea-gulls by the sea, the property is on the main road through Sandbanks which is frequented by cars and motorcycles having a bit of a blast. The property is double-glazed which helps dampen it somewhat - but don't mistake it for a tranquil location. The amenities in Sandbanks are non-existent, the closest shop is back down the spit, there are very limited dining options. Sandbanks beach is lifeguard patrolled, huge and well kept, the sand is lovely and the high tide leaves plenty of space. There is a medium sized car-park right next to the beach. There is a good toilet block and showers and a single small kiosk selling hot snacks and ice-cream tubs - and that is it. There is no beach shop, or traditional ice-cream vendor, or even a chippy - so make sure take everything you might need for the day. An evening stroll past the harbour provides a fantastic sunset view. With the ferry nearby, it's a short drive to the sheltered and well equipped Swanage beach and other attractions (though the queues can be very long), and an equally short drive in the other direction gets you to the well equipped Bournemouth beach and pier.

The property location and accommodation was ideal.

We were an elderly group and sometimes found the stairs configuration a bit difficult, and so needed care. The main grumble related to the lack of water at times to the upper floor on-suites. This happened most often in the mornings, especially when more than one person was using their own shower. Additionally the system did not provide sufficient hot water for more than one shower/bath operating at the same time. This was rather annoying when everyone was trying to get ready to go out. The housekeeper and the maintenance were very attentive to this problem but could not resolve the problem. Generally otherwise everything else was of a high standard.