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Original poster

What will you expect/ not expect in a UK holiday cottage when they reopen?

456 replies

Movinghouseatlast · 14/06/2020 10:40

I'm just writing my new guidelines for guests as we are hoping to reopen on 4th July. There have been some changes to cleaning etc. I was just wondering what guests will think?

Check in is now 5pm instead of 3pm to allow for extra cleaning.

Guests have to strip the beds and put bedding in cotton bags.

They have to put the rubbish out. I have also asked to leave the cottage as you would wish to find it.

They are asked to leave all windows open.

All extras are being removed- throws, cushions on beds, games, additional kitchen equipment as we just don't have time to wash and disinfect it all.

I usually leave a welcome hamper of an afternoon tea, homemade bread and granola, jam and butter decanted into dishes, croissants. I am still going to do this, but wonder what people will think? I think it is safer for the guests for me to cook all these things than to buy them.

I am only going to provide a few wrapped tea bags and coffee pods- usually unlimited and loose in a jar.

I would be interested to know your thoughts! Thanks.

OP posts:
Florabella · 16/06/2020 10:48

Will you all be expecting hairdressers to give you a partial refund if they can't give you a cup of tea and a head massage when they reopen?

DisobedientHamster · 16/06/2020 10:53

That's why I see a lot of these lets not being able to stay in business, Flora. We use a motorhome/camping van but looking at the prices of cottages in the UK pre-Covid, I'm shocked so many used them, but especially now when it's all stripped back you have to also pack kitchen equipment and games/etc. I can see why some are postponing till next year if possible. Or what effect price increases will have if there is recession.

Saying that, I wonder what camping van/motorhome hire companies are having to do now that campsites are opening with regards to cleaning the vehicle.

Brendabigbaps · 16/06/2020 10:54

@maddiemookins16mum

Oh and there’s no point getting humpy with posters who might not quite like your plans and basically telling us to educate ourselves, you asked for feedback.
This!!

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DisobedientHamster · 16/06/2020 11:03

Will you all be expecting hairdressers to give you a partial refund if they can't give you a cup of tea and a head massage when they reopen?

I would expect to pay the price of a wet cut if that's what I'm getting (reports are that this is what is what will be allowed once the salons re-open). It also takes less of the hairdresser's time and time is money.

LadyFlumpalot · 16/06/2020 11:06

Florabella - no, but I would expect a discount if my two hour cut and blow dry appointment was shortened to one hour to allow extra cleaning and I couldn't have my hair blow dried because it might waft germs around...

sleepyhead · 16/06/2020 11:22

Florabella, of course it's completely fine for you to put your prices up and also to give up your let if you feel it's not worth the hassle any more.

It's also completely fine for people to decide it's not worth the hassle of renting a cottage for a week if the changes (which I totally understand are outwith the control of the owners) tip the balance from a week away being worth the money, and it not.

For me, the potential smell of chemicals, the hassle of the later check in (more so if it was an earlier checkout), finding that kitchen items that I was expecting are missing, sitting in bare rooms and potentially having less to amuse the children if the weather's bad, tips the balance for me and I'll stay at home (no huge loss to anyone - I'm sure there'll be plenty people wanting to take my place!).

rookiemere · 16/06/2020 11:22

Florabella I hate the head massage and have to ask for them to stop, so if that's not a feature going forward, I will be delighted Smile !

I think some people live in a parallel universe. Holiday rental owners did not ask for any of this to happen and have lost effectively 4 months of income as a result. If they are being forced by their governing board to do extra cleaning, then blame the board or covid-19 not the holiday let owner. Sure it will be inconvenient if we get in later or have to leave earlier, but it's not the end of the world and hardly fair that the owner should reduce their prices because they have to do more cleaning.

Florabella · 16/06/2020 11:25

In that case say you are paying £1k for a week's holiday. 2 hours off that for a delayed check in means a reduction of £12 on your holiday. Pretty sure that wasn't the level of reduction that people were meaning!!

(Can you tell I have just been doing maths for homeschooling!!)

ExpletiveDelighted · 16/06/2020 11:25

I only ever have wet cuts so I might not see much difference but I'm expecting prices to creep up to cover the cost of the PPE and the time the staff will have to spend cleaning between appointments.

rookiemere · 16/06/2020 11:27

I do think though that if people could drop off their stuff and at least use the kitchen only and keep an earlier arrival time, that would solve most of the issues.

stophuggingme · 16/06/2020 11:31

I think whenever I spend hundreds of pounds for a holiday cottage / self catering let I expect it to be a home from home

I appreciate it’s a fine balance between necessary precautions due to Covid and reputation management but I would be really unhappy about no games, cushions, extra cooking things, home comforts etc

I think also as a customer you make an informed decision and take a calculated risk now with self catering so if you go you can’t expect hospital levels of sanitisation

Hollyhead · 16/06/2020 11:40

I haven't read the whole thread, but 5pm check in would be ok, and I'd understand extra cleaning. Also happy to strip bedding and leave things clean.

I would be annoyed if there was very basic equipment, we pay a premium for a cottage which is very well equipped for a reason. Same with games/books etc - I think two boxes that rotate would be good for this.

Throws are a pain in the arse anyway so that would be fine, same with cushions as long as there are at least 2 pillows per bed.

Scruffyoak · 16/06/2020 11:47

We would expect a home from home too. We don't want to pay more for added extras like toys and games and not get to use them!

stophuggingme · 16/06/2020 11:48

A 5pm check in with young children would be a nightmare especially if it’s been a long journey

bluefoxmug · 16/06/2020 11:57

I'm a bit bemused by people saying 5pm is too late for small dc?
do you put them to bed really early?

DappledThings · 16/06/2020 12:00

I'm a bit bemused by people saying 5pm is too late for small dc? Do you put them to bed really early?

Not especially early no, but if we can't get in till 5 then by the time we've unpacked food, made them some dinner sorted out rooms and beds, and given them some time on their feet after potentially a long time in the car then it's going to get past their bedtime and into the land of overtired pre-schoolers full of exhausted rage pretty quickly.

Chemenger · 16/06/2020 12:01

If you run a business listening to what your customers want is important. The question was asked of us and we have replied. There is no point in interpreting these responses as a personal attack, somehow. It seems there are plenty of people who are happy with the new arrangements as well as plenty, like me, who are regulars in holiday cottages who would be put off by these changes. Knowing this should help those of you who run cottages to deal with your customers. So you will have an answer for someone who complains that some of the features of luxury accommodation and kitchen equipment, which they may have seen on advertising pictures or seen described as “well equipped “ kitchens, have not been delivered. I would strongly advise telling customers how their experience will change before they arrive.

Kazzyhoward · 16/06/2020 12:05

If you run a business listening to what your customers want is important. The question was asked of us and we have replied. There is no point in interpreting these responses as a personal attack, somehow. It seems there are plenty of people who are happy with the new arrangements as well as plenty, like me, who are regulars in holiday cottages who would be put off by these changes

Yes, opinion is polarised, just like it is with the question of whether to allow dogs or not allow them. Any business has to consider their target customers. A holiday cottage with a target audience of families with children will be very different to one with a target audience of elderly dog walkers. The owner of any business CAN'T be all things to everyone - they have to choose a target demographic and cater to them.

Kazzyhoward · 16/06/2020 12:10

In that case say you are paying £1k for a week's holiday. 2 hours off that for a delayed check in means a reduction of £12 on your holiday.

But it could mean effectively losing a full day, not just 2 hours. We often "check in" as soon as we can, dump the luggage, and then go and do something, like grocery shopping, going to a restaurant, maybe even going to an attraction. If we're hanging around until 5, that effectively scuppers the opportunity to do any of that on the first day, and may mean things like grocery shopping then eat in to the next day too. So, whilst on the surface "it's only 2 hours", in terms of being able to do things, it could easily be a lost day.

Westiegirl3 · 16/06/2020 12:17

I haven't read the whole thread, but we book holiday cottages in the Lake District several times a year and I wouldn't be happy with a 5pm check in, the usual time is 4pm and even that is sometimes to late when you just want to park up, unpack the car and go out around the village you are staying in for a drink..
9am check in would totally rule out a cottage for me, I always strip beds and give a general clean and hoover round before leaving and I wouldn't be happy having to get up at 6am, this would just mean extra work for your cleaner.
Games, leaflets and books, I never touch anyway.. COVID 19 or not, I always think they are germ ridden Hmm

stophuggingme · 16/06/2020 12:55

@bluefoxmug

Exactly what @DappledThings wrote

forgetthehousework · 16/06/2020 13:00

CherryPavlova hope you have a wonderful break Smile

We usually pay about £100 a night and for that price I'm always quite willing to strip the bed and take out the trash. At the moment I'd probably be happier making up the bed too particularly if the fresh linen was in sealed bags.

hopeishere · 16/06/2020 13:04

I hate throws on sofas and refuse to book anywhere that has them!!

We don't use the games or DVD's either. Take a fire stick.

Kazzyhoward · 16/06/2020 13:08

Games, leaflets and books, I never touch anyway.. COVID 19 or not, I always think they are germ ridden

Yep, we never let our DS play with toys & games etc left in the house. Not only are they little germ factories, we usually find them incomplete or broken anyway. We found it easier to keep them hidden (i.e. don't open the drawers and cupboards) so DS didn't know they were there.

They're one area where owners/cleaners don't seem to take much interest. On the few occasions, we've seen something that looks interesting, i.e. a jigsaw, we've made it only to find a few missing pieces.

Worst case was a cottage that advertised Xbox and Nintendo Wii games consoles with a range of games to play. Our son was older then and was looking forward to it, only to find all the games discs were missing from their cases. Owners blamed previous guests for stealing them, but it's their responsibility to replace things if they're advertising them to be available! They should be checking things like that as part of the changeover process.

Hollyhead · 16/06/2020 13:10

I’ve always touched games/books/toys without thinking about it, never caught anything. Maybe some of you should relax!