Cat Hotel

Great place and the owner clearly loves cats. Used them for years. Sadly my old cat Charlie died last year and I haven't the need to use anymore. But thoroughly recommend

The good thing about this cattery is it's spotlessly clean and the cabins are really spacious. The cats have lovely views of the countryside. The lady who looks after the cats is really kind, caring and professional - she is clearly a cat lover. However, what would put me off ever returning here again is the extremely rude and arrogant owner. She spoke to my partner in a very insulting manner and had no interest in making us feel at ease. As a first time customer, I was shocked and appalled by the way this woman behaved towards us. I do not believe that the owner of this cattery is a cat lover, she just sees them as business and nothing more. This is evident by her two dogs that greet you in the office - hardly a welcoming environment for cats! If this was the only cattery I had to choose from (luckily it's not), I would rather never go on holiday again.

I agree with Kevin Doherty's review. We took our beautiful and friendly tabby female here 3 times. The premises are clean and well located but the owner has her Jack Russell at her heels at all times - not great for cats. The 2nd time we collected her, she had no fur left on her back, 4" patch above her tail, this had never ever happened before. We already had the 3rd booking so got her all recovered and had her checked by the vet before we took her back. Only to return from our 2 weeks away to find out she had been dumped at our vets 2 days after we left her there by a guy with no introduction, who left without explanation and no label on the cat carrier. Luckily the vet recognised her but could find nothing wrong with her and was flabbergasted at how we had been treated, also because the owner refused to give any refund which the vet insisted we were entitled to. The explanation that our cat was ill was false. The owner was breathtakingly rude and arrogant when I spoke to her, and as I was quite shaken by it all, (had also just found out a close relative was terminally ill), I'm afraid I lost it on the phone with her. She then threatened to sue the vet and the local paper as they were keen to help me highlight our predicament. Our 10 year old cat and the sick relative were both dead within 4 months. It was the most horrendous experience. It's taken us 10 years to find the courage to have cats again after this.

My cat was very happy here, the cats are very well looked after and the owner gives very good advice, I have left my cat in another place previously and I could tell he wasnt happy, when I collected my cat from Harpenden cat hotel he just seemed so happy and content. They defo do have the cats best interests at heart. And its sure to say I will book him in again . If you go on holiday it makes you enjoy yourself more knowing that your fur ball is also enjoying his holiday too. Thankyou 👍

Impeccably clean and caring

On arrival I met by the owner and her two corgis roaming free, following at her heels which wasn't the greatest way to introduce two elderly cats to a new setting.

On collection day she rang me to arrange a time (despite me emailing her two days previously) and also told me that one of my cats had had diarrhoea for a whole week, which had progressed to having blood in it. The cats are 10 years old and it was during a heatwave yet despite this she hadn't contacted me or sought veterinary advice. She said she didn't ring me because I was abroad and she said I don't respond to emails (I have replied to every email I ever received from her). I have no idea why she did not think to text or WhatsApp me instead.

She didn't know which cat was which despite having been shown how to tell them apart when we arrived. Furthermore, she was unable to tell me which one was unwell, so I have to question her commitment to the welfare of the animals in her care. When I pointed out the reasons why I found our experience there unacceptable she replied by saying "There's no helping some people", which sums up her attitude to customer service.

Other reviews have said she is rude and arrogant and I wholeheartedly agree. I do not recommend this business.

My lovely Liska was very happy 😃 at Harpender Cat Hotel for 3 weeks in August.
Thank you 🙏

Nicky is wonderful and the service she provides is second to none. Thanks a million