Any holiday house owners out there? Need some advice!

[IsolaPribby]

Hello!

We have a small holiday house on the Isle of Wight. We advertise on TripAdvisor, and over the past few years we have had steady bookings through the summer. However, this year has been very slow, and we are struggling to know why.

Has anyone else experienced a downturn this year? We thought what with Brexit etc that more people would be interested in holidaying in the UK.

We are competitively priced, but are considering dropping prices just to get people in.

Anyone have any ideas, or similar experiences?

Thank you

We don't have a holiday home but holiday in the UK a lot. This year the weather has been so rubbish maybe people are just booking abroad because they're fed up and want guaranteed sun.

Maybe look at where you are advertising. I've found places through Facebook local pages. Is that something you could try?

I only really look at TripAdvisor to find reviews of places I've already found. Its not my first port of call to find somewhere.

Are your prices competitive? With the ferry costs IOW hols can be expensive. Not your fault I know.

I hope it picks up for you.

Yes, we've got one. It's been booked out for this year since the end of last year. We are with a really good agency, which makes me think that the problem could be where you are advertising.

I hope you solve the problem, OP.

Time40 can I ask which agency you use?

Books yes, our prices are competitive.

Thanks, both.

Yes agree re advertising. Trip advisor last place I would look for holiday cottage. Airbnb seems to have taken over for owners advertising direct.

As a regular cottage renter around the south coast, I always dismiss the IoW cottages due to the cost of the ferry, and the additional journey time, sorry. It adds such a lot to the holiday, I can’t justify it when there are so many others to choose from.

Have you tried booking.com and airbnb. They’d be my go to sites for booking U.K. breaks

Yep I always use Booking.com. I find them very good.

I actually prefer the TripAdvisor booking experience as a renter, but it's not where I go first - Airbnb then holidayrentals because they're where the best properties are. Might be time for a platform change.

Ok, will have a look at Bookings.com. And Holidayrentals, or is it holidaylettings? Actually, holidaylettings is part of TripAdvisor anyway, so it's on there already.

Does it have WiFi? Good reviews? Is the decor clean and up to date?

We use Airbnb and I'd say bookings are pretty good. Much the same level as last year

Underneath yes to all of those!

I stopped holidaying in the UK as it is cheaper to go abroad, with guaranteed weather. I think a lot of people are thinking the same.

I wouldn't use trip advisor to look for a rental cottage. I agree with booking.com

Are you brave enough to link to it so we can see if there are any issues with photos etc?

We have a holiday let, its not in the Uk.
We have our own website, and tripadvisor, but 100% of bookings this year so far have been through Booking.com.
They take a %, but its fairly convenient for both us and those booking. I think its because of the security of the property actually existing (booking check), vetting hosts and knowing your money is secure (booking keep all the money until after you have left the property)

Yes meant to add I always use booking.com. Airbnb and TA don't feel secure enough for me.

Booking.com rather than airb&b (have a holiday house abroad).
Be careful to keep your calendars up to date, and watch the min nights/price - you don't want to end up letting for 1 nighters in August!
They do take a hefty chunk of commission so I would also look into the Facebook groups for booking direct - just do a search for " Book your holiday cottage direct " there are loads. Also EBay - to shift awkward weeks.

I will only book a uk holiday property via a well-established regional or national holiday letting agent. Never via Air BNB or an owners direct portal - the standards aren’t the same.

Ada here it is www.tripadvisor.co.uk/VacationRentalReview-g191249-d8295840-Kingfisher_Cottage-Sandown_Isle_of_Wight_England.html

Be kind

Definitely get it on more websites, there's no way I'd ever look to book anywhere on trip advisor. I usually search "holiday homes in xxx" and follow Googles leads tbh.

It looks nice and well thought out. You're definitely aiming for the small family Market rather than 2 couples. The fact its a terrace might put people off.

Try homeaway.co.uk it is what used to be owners direct / holiday rentals. The big problem with booking. com is their commission charges. Airbnb takes less commission and could be worth a try as you get boosted to the top of the list as a new host.

I think the house looks clean and tidy but I would include some pictures of local amenities and be a bit clearer about parking. When you say it's normally available I take that to mean that you're going to struggle. Is there no parking in the mews? Can people unload outside?

IsolaPribby, I think bookings will pick up. Because the weather has been so uncertain so far this year, people are thinking twice about holiday destinations. Towards the end of next month there will be an improvement in bookings.

My friend has a holiday cottage in a National Park. Her bookings through the local holiday company dwindled. Now she advertises on Air BnB and her bookings are up again.

PS: The house looks very nice and well equipped. It also has good customer reviews. I'd be more than happy to stay there. There is parking in the road and a council car park nearby - I'm sure you can drive up to the house and unload or load the car.

Reasonably priced too.