Three sets of local holiday let owners in West Yorkshire are celebrating after being recognised in a national awards scheme that showcases exceptional holiday homes.
The owners of Morgan’s Barn, near Huddersfield, and No.19, Haworth and Over the Arch, both located in Haworth, were named winners in the awards programme by Sykes Holiday Cottages following outstanding guest feedback.
From a spectacular three-bed barn conversion nestled on the fringes of Honley, to a stunning second-floor apartment in an old textile mill in Haworth, these holiday lets are among some of the best across the country.
The Sykes Stars programme – now in its third year – aims to recognise holiday homeowners from across the UK that have achieved excellent feedback scores from guests over the last 12 months.
The owners of the West Yorkshire holiday lets were among just 33 sets of holiday let owners to be awarded three Perfect 10 certificates from Sykes in the last year, making them Sykes Stars. To receive a Perfect 10 certificate, owners must have at least six reviews from guests each quarter giving them 100% feedback.
Meanwhile, the owners of Over the Arch have been named Sykes Super Stars after securing four Perfect 10 certificates in 2024, one for each quarter.
To view the full list of Sykes Stars for 2025, visit https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/blog/sykes-stars/
James Shaw, Managing Director of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said: “We love celebrating the incredible variety of holiday lets across the UK, and our Sykes Stars represent some of the very best of what’s on offer.
“It’s a privilege to recognise owners like these in West Yorkshire who go above and beyond to deliver unforgettable experiences for their guests. Our winners play a vital role in shaping the UK holiday let market, especially as demand for unique, high-quality stays continues to grow.
“With West Yorkshire remaining a top choice for staycations, we’re excited to see how they continue to set new standards and inspire others in the industry.”
First time Sykes Stars winner Katy Powell is owner of Morgan’s Barn, a beautiful barn conversion nestled down a quiet country lane on the outskirts of Honley.
After spending more than 25 years in the corporate world, Katy decided to follow her dream of running a holiday letting business in 2018 and converted an old outbuilding on her Yorkshire farm. The result was Morgan’s Barn, which has been praised by guests for its idyllic location and Katy’s friendly and helpful service.
Katy Powell, owner of Morgan’s Barn, said: “I’m so proud to have been named a Sykes Star – it really feels like all the time and effort that we’ve put into making sure guests have a great stay has paid off.
“I’ve found holiday letting to be such a rewarding job, and my favourite part of it has to be meeting all the people that come to stay with us. To anyone who’s thinking about opening their own business, I couldn’t recommend holiday letting enough.”
Set in the heart of Haworth, Jannine Shelton and Ella Gallagher are the owners of No.19, a charming end of terrace cottage just off the village’s cobbled main street.
Jannine and Ella bought the property during the Covid pandemic, spending 18 months thoughtfully renovating the space into a stylish two-bedroom holiday let. The pair added statement pieces such as a freestanding bath and plush furnishings to create the perfect base for guests to relax in.
Jannine Shelton, owner of No.19, Haworth, said: “We’re so pleased to receive such positive feedback from our guests – in fact, reading the comments in our guest book has to be one of our favourite things about holiday letting.
“We’ve worked hard to make the cottage a place where people can come and make wonderful memories, so finding out that we’d won a Sykes Star award is really the icing on top of the cake.”
Also situated in the popular village of Haworth is Over the Arch, a stunning apartment owned by Deborah Furness and her partner, Ben.
Located on the second floor of a converted mill, the property offers guests a spacious, contemporary stay complete with a well-equipped kitchen, large open plan living room and king-sized double bedroom.
Deborah is one of just three Sykes owners nationally to be named a Sykes Super Star, with guests praising Over the Arch for its unique location, as well as its clean and tidy interior.
Deborah Furness, owner of Over the Arch, said: “I’m really proud to have been named a Sykes Star for a second year running. We absolutely love holiday letting and we never tire of hearing guests say how much they’ve enjoyed their stay and the local area. To anyone thinking of getting into the industry – we can’t recommend it enough.”