We were promised a luxury glamping pod holiday… but it was…

A LUXURY glamping spot has been slammed by guests who have likened it to a “detention centre” and a scene from a horror film.

The £140-a-night Walnut Tree Glamping, in Westbere, near Canterbury, opened in April, and has been bombarded with one-star and ‘terrible’ online reviews ever since.

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But owner Jane Mapp has hit back at the negative feedback.

She admitted there were some original “teething problems”, but defended her business.

Tripadvisor and Booking.com are still being littered with reviews about the site by those who have stayed – or didn’t.

One review, posted on Monday, said: “Turned up at the place within minutes we left wouldn’t of stayed there I’ve seen detention centres in better states then that.

“The entrance was like The Hill Have Eyes or another horror film you wouldn’t wanna watch again.”

Another unhappy glamper wrote: “Totally disgusting place. I would not let my dog stay there. Pile of old mattresses on site, a deflated hot tub, dirty and cold and portable loos that were disgusting.”

Many commented on the “disgusting” state of the site, beds, and facilities, and how their expectations upon booking did not meet the reality.

One said: “I do not recommend this glamping site, it’s missold, it’s not glamorous at all, it’s dirty.”

Another said: “Facilities were dirty, the so called swimming pool had about 100 dead horse flies in it and was filthy (not one person used it). The shower was a disgrace!”

While all four Tripadvisor reviews marked the glamping as ‘terrible’, there was some positive feedback on Booking.com – mostly complimenting the location, and staff.

On Monday one guest posted: “The views are amazing. The hot tub and the pool are a great addition.”

Another reviewer reported: “Brilliant location, clean and comfortable accommodation, all round enjoyable and fun get away, would definitely recommend.”

Ms Mapp agreed with the positive feedback, she said: “It is a fantastic place. The views are absolutely amazing.”

In terms of the negative comments, she said she has made improvements since the beginning.

Ms Mapp said: “We started organising the actual plot here to get things ready and pretty and really blending in with the environment, so it didn’t stand out too much.

“And obviously we had terrible problems with companies, with toilets. They let us down, and we’ve addressed those and learned by the reviews.

“We’ve learned by what people asked for.

“We had some poor reviews to start with because of teething problems, but are now getting some glowing ones.”

Ms Mapp originally opened the six-tent site using a temporary post-Covid licence to operate.

She is now seeking full planning permission, but it has not been welcomed villagers, who claim site is a blight on the countryside – sparking almost 50 objections.

They raise concerns about an increase in traffic in the village’s narrow lanes, and incidents of excessive noise and anti-social behaviour as significant factors.

But, Ms Mapp plans to continue her bid, and dreams of running the site permanently.

She told KentOnline: “What we have is very small-scale – I don’t think villagers have anything to be frightened of.”

The planning application also highlights the fact campers provide a boost to the village pub and local shops in Sturry.

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