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Armada Cottage

Armada Cottage

4.6
out of 5
Ratings from 28 reviews
89% of guests
recommend
Cleanliness
4.7
Comfort
4.5
Condition
4.7
Location
4.6
Value
4.4
Customer
Service
4.8

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Armada Cottage is a spectacular, Grade II listed cottage in beautiful Charlbury. Boasting ancient timbers thought to have come from a ship that sailed during the Spanish Armada, the cottage is packed with character and has been beautifully styled to create an exceptional stay. You’ll have beautiful countryside and renowned foodie pub The Bull at Charlbury on your doorstep, but you can also venture out to nearby Chipping Norton, Daylesford Organic, Stow-on-the-Wold or Soho Farmhouse.

Comfy and Chic

Review submitted on Sun, 30 Aug 2026
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We had a fantastic time in this beautifully restored historic cottage. It had everything we needed: excellent location near the center of town, a well-appointed kitchen, plush towels, and a comfortable king size bed. In the evenings we enjoyed watching TV in the cozy sitting room. The grapes growing in the kitchen garden were incredibly picturesque and tasted good, too! We ate at The Bull frequently and highly recommend it. We also visited the Charlbury Museum--very interesting with pleasant and helpful staff, shopped at the Co-Op, as well as the Missing Bean and No. 5 for souvenirs. We also walked the town's many nature trails. We selected Charlbury because it was not heavily touristed like other Cotswolds locations. We felt privileged to be here and to share this lovely town with its locals.

Jane from Wilmington stayed at Armada Cottage for 6 nights in August 2026


Lovely weekend in Charlbury

Review submitted on Sun, 05 Jul 2026
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We absolutely loved our stay at Armada Cottage! It was clean, comfortable, and well appointed for our weekend away in Charlbury. Great location in town with easy parking. The owner, Richard, was very communicative and had great suggestions for things to do nearby. We would absolutely stay here again!

Justin from Los Angeles stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in July 2026


The perfect little home from home!

Review submitted on Sat, 28 Mar 2026
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Armada cottage is the dreamiest little cottage you could stay at. We had such a relaxing time and cannot wait for another stay!

With excellent bedding, sophisticated color scheme, a remarkable attention to detail and everything you need for a pleasant stay.

It is also located within walking distance from the train station, which meant we enjoyed a day trip to Oxford with ease.


Rebecca from Brighton stayed at Armada Cottage for 6 nights in February 2026


Armada cottage was clean enough, could have benefited from a thorough deep clean. Very busy road.

Review submitted on Sun, 05 Oct 2025
3.2
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
4.0
Location
2.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Whilst our stay was fine, it was disappointing to find the cottage on a busy road and not in the heart of things. Parking is difficult. Someone swiped the front of our rental car and drove off also - not specific to the cottage but the location isn’t the best.

Linda from Cremorne stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in September 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied 338 days ago
Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent stay. We are pleased to hear your stay was overall a positive one, but we're very sorry to learn about the incident with your rental car. We do provide guests with details on parking options nearby to help guests find the most convenient and suitable spaces during their stay, and we’re sorry if this wasn’t clear or helpful in this instance.

Beautiful stay in designer cottage

Review submitted on Sun, 14 Sep 2025
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had a lovely stay at Andrew & Beth’s cottage. It was beautifully appointed and very comfortable, as much a treat for the senses indoors as the countryside is in the outdoors beyond. The hosts were responsive and accommodating, including in providing many helpful recommendations for activities and dining. We especially enjoyed that the town boasts both The Bull and The Bell, which meant we were eating grandly in only a 5 minute’s walk.

Simona from Los Angeles stayed at Armada Cottage for 8 nights in September 2025


Beautiful typical cottage in the Cotswolds

Review submitted on Tue, 19 Aug 2025
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
4.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The cottage is quaint and very beautiful, well-maintained, and equipped with all comforts. Shampoo and shower gel, towels, a hairdryer, and everything you need for washing dishes and using the dishwasher are provided. The owners are friendly and helpful. One tip: the crib for our daughter didn't have a mattress, making it a bit uncomfortable, and we had to bring our own sheets. A high chair would also have been handy. Lastly, it's not possible to park on the street because the space is reserved for residents. You would need to indicate this in the house details or provide a permit to park (we didn't know this and got a fine!) Overall, it was a great stay, in a convenient location for visiting the Cotswolds, and the town itself is also equipped with restaurants, bars, and a supermarket that's open late. Highly recommended.

Elisabetta from Ossona stayed at Armada Cottage for 7 nights in August 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We’re very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Your valuable feedback regarding a cot mattress and highchair has been shared with the owner, who is now looking into these additions. Regarding your comments on parking, we include further details in the property’s welcome guide, which is available to all guests after booking. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.

Nice time

Review submitted on Sun, 10 Aug 2025
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
3.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Nice cosy space, we really enjoyed our stay. Everything on cottage was so nice and we feel like home.

Magda from Sabadell stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in August 2025


Not what was expected

Review submitted on Sun, 13 Jul 2025
3.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
2.0
Condition
3.0
Location
3.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The cottage is very cute. We rented during a heat wave and there was no ac and no fans. The windows are small and on a busy road so we could not open them. It was an uncomfortable night. The toilets were not flushing properly. We left and found a hotel. The owner was nice and sent two small fans from Amazon but we left before using.

Tony from New York stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in July 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We're very glad to hear that you enjoyed the cottage however we're sorry to learn that you checked out early. While we do everything we can to ensure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay, there are unfortunately some aspects that are outside of our control, such as the weather and any surrounding noise. The location of the cottage is noted on our website, including mention of how close the local pub and deli are, and guests can see its position clearly marked on the map. We do advertise that the cottage is close to the heart of Charlbury, which we understand may not suit everyone. We're also sorry to hear about the issues you encountered with the heat and the toilets. We understand the owner responded promptly with additional fans once you raised your concerns. As the cottage is an older building, the owners are unfortunately restricted from installing air conditioning due to regulations, though we appreciate how uncomfortable high temperatures can be.

Lovely Charlbury Cottage

Review submitted on Sun, 06 Jul 2025
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Lovely quirky cottage, good location. Courtyard was great.
Parking was easy, on street just around the corner.
Lots of helpful information about the area from the owners. Would definitely return.
(Beware no freezer, even in the fridge.)

Guest from Penrith stayed at Armada Cottage for 8 nights in June 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Regarding your comments about the absence of a freezer, we do list the kitchen equipment available under the full list of facilities section on our website for guests’ reference. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.

Charming oldy worldly cottage

Review submitted on Wed, 02 Jul 2025
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This is a small but homely cottage in a super little village. Well equipped and thoughtfully furnished.
We really enjoyed our stay.
Parking is a bit of an issue especially when unloading as non nearby, nearest us 5mins away.
Outside area is lovely to sit in but was a little overgrown so felt smaller than it possibly is.
Both The Bell & The Bull in the villare great eating pubs.

Guest from Kendal stayed at Armada Cottage for 5 nights in June 2025


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Regarding your comments on parking, we do mention on our website that on-street parking is available nearby. Once a booking is confirmed, guests can access the cottage welcome guide via the guest portal, which includes our recommendations for nearby parking options. We also really appreciate your feedback about the outdoor area. We’ve shared this with the owner, who has let us know that arrangements are being made to tidy it up as soon as possible. We hope to see you in the Cotswolds again soon.

Charlbury

Review submitted on Sun, 24 Nov 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Wonderful cottage very conveniently located in Charlbury. Easy access to the shops and local pubs especially The Bull

Simon from London stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in November 2024


Gorgeous Armada Cottage

Review submitted on Mon, 11 Nov 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Armada Cottage was absolutely gorgeous. An ancient building on the main street of a charming Cotswolds village that's been renovated with care and attention to every single perfect detail. The owners were responsive and kind. Everything we needed was provided. The street outside can be a bit busy and the doorways are low for the tall 21st century traveller but none of this takes away from this extraordinary place and experience. Highly recommend.

Andrea from Toronto stayed at Armada Cottage for 4 nights in November 2024


Beautiful cottage for interior design fans but lacks basic comfort

Review submitted on Mon, 28 Oct 2024
3.3
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
2.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
4.0
The cottage is beautifully renovated and radiates a wonderful Cotswolds vibe from the entrance to its rooftop. Each room has a lovely design and atmosphere. It looks like it belongs in a magazine. The village (Charlbury) is great and has two excellent restaurants (The Bull and The Bell) in short walking distance from the cottage. This adds massively to the charme of the place.

But there are comfort issues that are annoying when staying for more than a few days:
- The seating in the living room is too limited for cozy reading evenings for more than 2 people.
- The toilets don't flush well (very little water) and get clogged easily; there are no tools around to fix this
- The heating is limited: Thermostat drops to low settings automatically all the time and has to be manually turned up again; even when it's been turned up for a while, it doesn't get very warm, making this cottage not usable in colder months, I think
- The fireplace cannot be used as an alternative heat source or for a cozy evening atmosphere, which is a disappointment
- The ceilings and in particular, door frames are very low (you will hit your head when you are taller than 5.9ft
- The storage space is minimal - and the closets in the bedroom are very dark inside, making them challenging to use
- There is no teapot and the Nespresso machine isn't working well
- The street parking can be limited at times

Overall, it's still a lovely-looking place, but the mentioned comfort issues become annoying when staying more than a few days and with more than 2 people.

Sebastian from Wiesbaden stayed at Armada Cottage for 6 nights in October 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay, however disappointed to read the points that you have raised. We have spoken to the owner who has confirmed that the toilet, heating and coffee machine have been looked at and are all working as normal. On our property listing, we have a 3D tour and floor plan available which shows the ceilings, door frames and storage space.

Can’t fault it!

Review submitted on Tue, 22 Oct 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We absolutely adored our stay at Armada Cottage. The decor and amenities have been so thoughtfully done. Just a tiny walk from a cafe, amazing gastropubs and restaurants. Loved it!!

Tara from London stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in October 2024


Historic designer cottage

Review submitted on Sun, 13 Oct 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Our extended stay in the Armada Cottage was excellent. The cottage is well appointed... in the sense of having everything you need but also with a designer aesthetic that sets it apart from many holiday rentals. Attention to detail is apparent in the small tasteful vignettes throughout the cottage. The kitchen is well equipped, beds comfortable with quality linens, and there is a lovely small enclosed courtyard. Charlbury is a good village from which to explore the Cotswolds, has two excellent restaurants... The Bull and The Bell, and a great deli and convenient grocery store. We were sorry to see out stay here end.

Sandra from Vancouver stayed at Armada Cottage for 21 nights in September 2024


Pretty cottage in convenient location

Review submitted on Sat, 10 Aug 2024
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We arrived on one of the hottest days of the year, so the cottage was a welcome haven from the heat. It’s got a small but pretty courtyard where we ate breakfast and sat drinking our Bubbles before dinner at the truly fabulous Bull just down the road (literally 3 minutes walk).
The cottage is decorated very tastefully. Bed linen towels etc all good quality. It’s also convenient for walking in the area, visiting Blenheim and the beautiful Cotswold towns and villages.
The only negatives were there is no parking, only on street parking. The first day we managed to park outside, but the subsequent two we had to park about 100m down the road. Also, as it was so warm we all slept with the windows open and the traffic noise was a little loud at times. And a word of caution, there are two flights of very steep stairs in the cottage.

Catherine from Southend on Sea stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in July 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We are very glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay, however disappointed to read the points that you have raised. On our website listing under the full list of facilities, we list that the parking is on-street and in our points of note we state "Please note the stairs are steep and may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Also, we have a 3D tour available which shows the stairs.

Dreamy house in Cotswolds

Review submitted on Tue, 09 Jul 2024
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Perfect older cottage with a wonderful interior design and full of details. They include interior design magazines, beautiful textiles and a bottle of red wine and chocolates when we arrived.

Alejandra from London stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in June 2024


Absolutely Amazing!

Review submitted on Mon, 20 May 2024
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The Armada Cottage was absolutely beautiful you feel like you stepped into the pages of Country Life Magazine. Everything is done to a very high standard and beautifully decorated. Everything was well thought out and the kitchen was very well equipped with everything you need. Beds were wonderful and cozy. I will definitely be back because I definitely didn’t want to leave.
As far as Charlbury is a great home base for the Cotswolds we got the train from Paddington and made the short walk to the cottage. We used the bus the first few days and it was great. We also had a car for a few days and had no problem finding parking.
I can’t say enough about this beautiful cottage just go !!

Rachel from Laguna Niguel stayed at Armada Cottage for 5 nights in May 2024


Lovely cottage in the Cotswolds

Review submitted on Wed, 08 May 2024
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Armada Cottage defines charming. As a visitor from the US, I was excited to stay somewhere uniquely "English countryside" and this cottage did not disappoint. The wooden beams, white plaster walls, exposed stone, and creaky old doors were perfectly complemented by the lovely furnishings, artwork, draperies, and bedding. It's obvious a lot of care was taken in the interior design. It really is lovely. On the practical side, the place is immaculate. The kitchen and bathrooms are well appointed. The linens were high quality. There are books and games to enjoy. A television in each room. The little courtyard outside the kitchen is very pretty. We would have had our morning coffee out there, but the weather had other ideas. The bedrooms are spacious and very cozy. I was sitting on the window seat in the second floor bedroom and a pair of horses road by. A Hollywood director must have staged that moment! This cottage has everything and more. My friend and I absolutely adored it.

Kathryn from San Diego stayed at Armada Cottage for 4 nights in May 2024


Discover the Cotswold

Review submitted on Thu, 02 May 2024
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We enjoyed every minute at Armada cottage. Very good location to explore the north part of the Cotswold. The cottage is impeccable in every aspect. Fully equipped with all you may need.

Alessandro from Prata di Pordenone stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in April 2024


Lovely stay

Review submitted on Sun, 14 Apr 2024
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Our stay at the cottage was wonderful. The property is comfortable and charming. One note I’d like to call out is, in our experience, parking wasn’t so straightforward. There are a few spots nearby that were filled the whole time we were there and driving around trying to find parking to unload our luggage was a bit frustrating since it’s noted it’s easy. That’s all! We hope to return one day!

Kimberly from Oxnard stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in April 2024


Beautifully designed little cottage.

Review submitted on Sun, 14 Apr 2024
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We rented this two bedroom cottage for the two of us, and stayed in the upstairs bedroom, which is a very comfortable and romantic space, with its own slipper bath. It might have been a bit small if there had been another couple with us, with not much privacy, as there is no door to the upper floor. This might work with a family and two children. The cottage is beautifully presented with numerous lovely little quirky touches, as one might expect from the owners who also, I understand, run an interior design company. We found it imaginatively done, and it was well appointed and comfortable, on the whole. We found the evenings a bit chilly in the downstairs sitting room and thought it would really benefit from a wood burner. Apart from that it was all cosy enough. The location is great - a 7 minute walk from the station which is about 20 minutes from Oxford. As we were only there a couple of days we weren’t able to take advantage of the many sights and walks in the area, which is astonishingly picturesque. Really appreciated that the owner contacted us on the day of arrival, which felt welcoming, and quickly let us know on departure that we’d left something behind. Two great gastropubs within walking distance, the Bull and the Bell, where we had delicious food. All quite pricey but what do you expect in that part of the world? We’d certainly consider returning for a longer stay and would recommend.

Alice from London stayed at Armada Cottage for 3 nights in April 2024


Bolthole Retreats replied more than 1 year ago
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your recent stay at Armada Cottage. We are very glad to read that you enjoyed your stay. However, we are disappointed to read your feedback regarding the size of the property and there not being a door to the upper floor. This is shown on our website from the photos and there is also a 3D tour available. We are sorry that you found the evenings in the sitting room to be chilly and the owner has taken your feedback onboard and is looking into getting a wood burner.

A fantastic base for exploring the Cotswolds

Review submitted on Wed, 20 Dec 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We had a wonderful time staying at Armada for a pre-Christmas break. The cottage is in a great location for good food, walks and visiting local attractions. It is beautifully appointed, whilst retaining its character and feels very special and unique. We're a family of four and it felt very comfortable, would definitely recommend, it would also suit a couple for a romantic trip.

Matthew from Belper stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in December 2023


Great cottage in a great area

Review submitted on Wed, 22 Nov 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Delightful cottage with exquisite furnishings and very cosy in a perfect area. Two very good pubs serving good food less than 5 minutes walk, a train station 5 minute walk and just over an hour into London, we went for the day. Parking is not a problem we never had to walk more than 2 minutes

Linda from Hexham stayed at Armada Cottage for 4 nights in November 2023


Perfect Stay

Review submitted on Sun, 19 Nov 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Despite initially finding it a little difficult to locate the actual house in the dark, everything else about the stay was excellent, and I would happily return. The cottage is lovely and perfectly located.

Oliver from London stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in November 2023


A perfect stay

Review submitted on Tue, 17 Oct 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
The decision was made to spend our annual girlie weekend in the Cotswolds for a long overdue catch-up and some relaxation. I'm so pleased we ditched the hotel option and chose the much more personal Armada Cottage instead. It turned out to be the perfect base to explore the beautiful surroundings and unwind. We found a true gem in both the cottage and Charlbury. The cottage felt luxurious, but in an understated way. Extremely comfortable and beautifully furnished with a personal touch, and with all the luxuries you would expect, from lovely soaps and the sofest towels, to beautiful crockery and heavenly beds.
The village is just the right size with two fantastic pubs, a great deli and a Co-op for everything else. Lovely countryside walks on the doorstep too. Wish we could have stayed a few more days.

Johanna from Eastbourne stayed at Armada Cottage for 2 nights in October 2023


Visiting our daughter as she’s working in the UK

Review submitted on Mon, 02 Oct 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We felt like we were on the set of the movies, The Holiday. The cottage is gorgeous, every thoughtful detail made our stay comfortable and memorable.

The Co-op is a short walk away and we went for dinner at The Bull and The Bell - both were perfect!

The Charlbury Station is less than a 20 minute walk with easy access to Oxford, London, Paddington station and Heathrow - we didn’t rent a car!

We’ll be back.

Cherylynn from Shediac Cape stayed at Armada Cottage for 4 nights in September 2023


4 night September break

Review submitted on Fri, 08 Sep 2023
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
4.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Immaculate presentation of this recently refurbished cottage. All the old world charm retained with every 21st Century comfort you could want. Be aware that although on street parking is easy you may not have your car in sight of the cottage. Will return, excellent stay.

Jon from Gravesend stayed at Armada Cottage for 4 nights in September 2023