Good value, charm of an old house full of books matching the character of Hay and very central.

We would happily return. Brilliantly situated, warm - important in December - with comfortable beds, and an artistic atmosphere, one suspects from John's dyspeptic review [24 Oct] that he hadn't read Tam's description carefully enough. The old wooden stairs are indeed quirky, and need care navigating, but that's genuinely old properties for you. The catering facilities are basic but accurately described, ie no cooker, so eating out in the nearby restaurants is advisable - though probably something most shorter term visitors would want to do anyway. A bathroom the floor below, down the quirky stairs, is unconventional but part of the different experience from a conventional 'comfortable English home setting'. If that's what John expected he should also expect to pay a lot more. This is a place with character, sufficient comfort, and above all the central Hay location.

Very little to dislike, having read the description carefully beforehand, and having stayed in many quirky places including several in or around Hay, over many years.

We had booked two nights but were sufficiently unhappy to leave after the first night, The flat will offer excellent central location once it is made fit for a fair expectation of standards. That will obviously require considerable investment. I would be embarrassed to think that a visitor from abroad had booked this thinking they would find a comfortable English home setting. My friend, who had the smaller of the two bedrooms, was visibly shocked when we arrived. Enough said.

Frankly, everything. I accepted a (negotiated) £80 refund, but that did little to improve a ruined and shortened weekend.

My car broke and I couldn’t get there but Tamara was super understanding and reimbursed me everything she could. It was easy and nice to communicate with her and I’m looking forward to going there some other time. She also sent lots of recommendations about the area.