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

[Movinghouseatlast]

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.

I agree, I think your normal cleaning would be enough and I’d want to stick to a 3pm check-in.

At least then you can get unpacked and maybe do something for a few hours before dinner. I wouldn’t be bothered about steaming curtains and things.

I like the rota of cushions and throws that another poster mentioned. Take one set away to clean and then you can leave the other set.

I would be fine with stripping the bed and putting the bin out (normally put our the rubbish anyway). Wouldn't like but would understand the cushions etc. Being removed. I'd be a bit annoyed with such a late check in that's almost a whole day by the time you get in and settled used up.

The main issue I would have would be the extra kitchen utensils being removed depending on what they are. If you're removing something like a smoothie maker I wouldn't care if you removed spatulas that would be more annoying.

I can’t see ‘you pay the same but get a worse experience for your money’ going down too well with many people to be honest.
Like the swimming lesson company who asked if people would happily pay the same but for lessons half the normal duration to allow for extra cleaning. I know it’s hard for businesses, but it’s hard for people who have lost income too and no one is going to want to pay the same but get less value for money.

I agree with as a customer, not wanting education, but just wanting the holiday I’d paid for. Check in times can be a pain, and when you’re paying for that night of the holiday at the usual price but you can’t get into the property until as late as 5 and probably have to leave early for check out at the end of your stay, it’s a bit shit. It makes a difference to the entire day.

I wouldn't be impressed with the extra cleaning and removal of home comforts.

5pm is a pain and I book cottages because they are comfortable and have everything I need.

It seems excessive and of dubious benefit. This "fogging" sounds like it'll make rooms stink of chemicals for a start.

We have a house in the countryside in Spain and I've always provided lots of toys, DVDs, children's books as we get a lot of young families holidaying there. I'm thinking that all that will have to go now. I'm really interested to know what prospective guests are thinking!

If I were prepared to take my family through an airport and on a flight, I’d not be concerned at all about toys, books and dvds. I’d think that people who were worried enough about those things would be the same people that would no longer go on the holiday, and the people that were prepared to do the travelling would still expect the same amenities that they had already paid for.

I think in your position I’d offer to remove toys etc, but definitely wouldn’t assume that that’s what guests would want.

I wouldn't expect anything different from a normal weekly turn around. I do always strip beds, empty bins, vacuum before I leave anyway. I wouldn't want soft furnishings and kitchen equipment removed.

Another one asking what kitchen equipment you're removing - we cook on holiday; we go self catering due to dietary restrictions, so I'd expect to be able to cook a (simple) main meal, with all the utensils/equipment provided.

A 5pm check in would be far too late for me. Surely if guests have to be out by 10am a 3pm check in would still allow plenty time for a thorough clean particularly if you dont have to strip the beds etc.

I wouldnt book somewhere with such a late check in and you might find its reflected in feedback if you change it for existing bookings

@Movinghouseatlast

It is very interesting, as these are the guidelines from Visit England (currently only in draft form)

So it seems some don't expect heightened cleaning or understand that it takes longer, is for your safety etc. So a bit of education needs to happen to the public.

If you started sending me emails lecturing me that my pre-booked cottage was now going to be shite for my own good and laying out why this was the case. I'd be asking for a refund to be honest.

People have been lectured about this for months now already - sending them an unsolicited sermon is just going to piss off people.

I’m obviously in the minority on this thread as I would feel very reassured if I knew my holiday cottage was being steam cleaned between rentals (especially the mattress and and settees as these can be suspect at the best of times as far as I’m concerned) and would pay a premium for that level of care. Stripping our bedding before leaving would be fine by me too. I would also prefer more not less cooking utensils especially if lots of eateries aren’t open or running at full capacity as it might be necessary to cook more and eat out less in the short term. With regards a small hamper, I agree that by 5 pm I wouldn’t be looking for an afternoon tea. I’d prefer a bottle of wine and a take away 😁.

Oh yes I’m happy to strip my bedding. I always do. But if I was told my check in was later and that some of the things that make it ‘luxury’ were removed (soft furnishings, kitchen equipment etc) were removed but I had to pay the same... nah I’d pass thanks.

Realistically, a virus is going to no more live on sofa cushions than on the sofa (I work in infectious diseases). If removing the cushions and throws makes people feel better, fine, but it won't really make much difference. I would want hard surfaces cleaned and disinfected.

I would want disinfectant spray and wipes left for me to do any extra places I thought needed it.

The hamper sounds lovely and also coffee and tea. If people choose not to eat it, fine. You aren't making them.

Stripping beds and emptying bins also sounds fine and pretty standard. I would want you to leave me something that tells me what you did to make sure the space was clean, which would be reassuring.

Also, I'd probably prefer time left between bookings (this is what hotels are being encouraged to do), so leaving a 48-72 hour gap between bookings. That realistically may not be financially feasible though.

My husband wouldn't put his hand in a jar of teabags but he wouldn't go to a holiday cottage either, he's taking this extremely seriously. I on the other hand wouldn't think twice.

I think the people who are coming are not going to be the type who disinfect their post. I'd remove the things you have referred to, wash them all and give guests the option as to whether they want them or not, on the understanding you need time to clean them so they'll be available on Day 3 or whatever.

As with many others, I wouldn't expect anything more than normal.

Realistically, I think the amount of contagion from people touching something that some else touched hours ago is so small as to be irrelevant. If someone is happy enough to drive/fly across the country and stay in a holiday home, I can't think they are going to be the type who genuinely believe they are going to catch some thing from a book or a game.

I think if you need extra time half an hour earlier check out and half an hour later check in gives an hour to steam the place? With a thorough explanation of why this was happening I would be ok with that. I wouldn't want less kitchen stuff? But all the basics in the dishwasher set running to finish for my arrival would be fine, again with an explanation.

Are you confident that you'll actually end up with back-to-back bookings? No-one shielding or worried about travelling? No-one coming from abroad? No-one cancelling because lots of places won't be open in a form we all recognise?

Gosh @DominaShantotto even imagining an email telling me about all the measures that they are putting in place to keep me ‘safe’ that will make my experience a less enjoyable one gives me the rage! Especially as I’m more likely to die on the 6 hour drive to get to the cottage I’ve booked.

The public don’t need educating or lecturing; it’s been months now.

If you’re not going to provide the service you usually do—and you’re clearly not, a 5pm check-in is far too late—you need to reduce the price and make everything you’re removing explicit.

You shouldn’t have to be cleaning everything twice; if you are finding that you need to, you aren’t cleaning it properly the first time.

I understand what you're trying to do, but as a potential visitor I would be slightly annoyed with a later check in (right at dinner time for my kids) and the removal of the luxury items if I was paying the same price. As an earlier commenter suggested, perhaps swap the cushions/throws etc which will give you more time to clean them and without compromising on guest's expectations.
We always strip off the beds whenever we stay at cottages anyway so that wouldn't be an issue at all

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.

@Movinghouseatlast

It is very interesting, as these are the guidelines from Visit England (currently only in draft form)

So it seems some don't expect heightened cleaning or understand that it takes longer, is for your safety etc. So a bit of education needs to happen to the public.

People don't need to be educated - we've all had information about COVID coming out of our ears for the last four months!

@vanillandhoney you misunderstand me. People are questioning why check in is later etc, so it has to be explained what we are required to do in addition to what we usually do.

@maddiemookins16mum I'm not getting jumpy. I didn't make up the guidelines I'm just implementing them. It seems most people think the guidelines are pointless, so we will have to explain why we have to implement changes.

If it’s ‘required’, as in actual law, I’d expect an email before factually laying out the changes you are making to my booking. I would then expect to be either offered a partial refund as compensation, or the opportunity to cancel without penalty as it’s not the holiday I booked.