Bee Cottage in trendy Rye is pretty much the bees knees as far as we are concerned thanks to its funky but largely family-friendly interiors - the owner is an interiors magazine journalist - and its fab location a short stroll from the bistros, boutiques and pretty harbour for which Rye is rightly famous.
The Brooks family are clearly as in love with it as we are and fully intend that one day they’ll make it their permanent home but, for now they just want other families to enjoy it as much as they do, something that is clear to see from the thoughtful touches found inside. Having completely renovated the place into a fab and funky family holiday home, they have made it a treasure trove of 20th century design classics, from the cool to the kitsch, and adding a hefty dose of personality and fun along the way. By picking up pieces from Rye’s many vintage and antique shops, there’s plenty to make families smile in every room, from the retro light fittings to some tongue-in-cheek artwork and there’s even a proper record player with a selection of vinyl which will blow the mind of little digital natives! The house is bang up to date with all the latest gadgets too, including Netflix and a Blu Ray player for the TV, an X-Box with children’s games, Wi Fi and a Philips wireless speaker to stream music from a phone or tablet through Airplay. Worth noting here that parents of toddlers at the 'grabby' stage, might feel more relaxed after a quick 'sweep' of the house to move any low level 'objects' to higher spots!
The kitchen is anything but a blast from the past (well maybe the floor!) and fully fitted out with all the latest appliances and accessories for yummy mummy self catering, from the Rangemaster range cooker with induction hob, two ovens and grill to a slow cooker and hand blender for whizzing up baby food. A welcome pack is provided which includes cakes and biscuits as well as a few basic essentials. The beds at Bee Cottage are made up with luxury Egyptian cotton linen and topped with cosy throws, while the pebble effect bathroom has a luxurious roll top bath with a rain-shower overhead.
For playing and eating outside, Bee Cottage has a pretty little lawn garden, surrounded by bushes and trees, but also a fantastic flagged patio for barbecues, strung with colourful lights around a groovy funfair fresco. It is worth mentioning here that there are stone steps both down to the front door and down to the garden, so some supervision will be necessary and a two-person approach with strollers is required.
Accommodation Overview:
Bee Cottage is a 3-bedroom house which sleeps up to 6 people, plus 1 travel cot is provided for a baby. The house is brimming with funky, retro furnishings and features along with the latest technology and mod cons, from the home entertainment to the contemporary fitted kitchen. The living/dining room is open plan and includes a vivid peacock blue sofa, TV with Netflix and Blu-Ray player, Philips wireless speaker, record player and a dining table which seats 6, plus baby in a high chair provided. The slate grey kitchen, complemented by its striking patterned floor, is compact and well equipped, including a Rangemaster range cooker with induction hob, two ovens and grill; a microwave; slow cooker; hand blender; kettle and toaster; dishwasher; washing machine; and a digital radio. One twin bedroom and one double room are on the first floor, along with the family bathroom which features a roll top bath with a large fixed rain shower head and a separate hand held attachment; a large washbasin; there’s also a separate WC. The loft space has been converted into a big and bright master bedroom, with dormer windows, a king-size bed, plenty of storage space, a TV and DVD player. Bee Cottage has a private enclosed garden to the rear, with a small lawn and a flagged patio with a charcoal barbecue and dining table with benches.
There is free, on-street parking within 2-minutes walk of the cottage.