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.

@PatriciaHolm

I think the disconnect comes between what you seem to be being asked to do by VisitEngland, or whoever, and what the majority of your user base actually wants you to do.

No one who is worried about the (incredibly remote) chance of catching something from a light switch is going to book a holiday cottage. For those happy to do so, your normal cleaning is fine.

I agree with this. I don’t want these extra measures that Visit England are imposing. I want the experience I have booked, and am happy with the miniscule risk that will subject me to. If these additional measures are in place I would rather cancel and go next year when the country has regained its sanity.

I think some people are being quite naive if they think their holiday experience is going to be the same as it usually is.

Just look at all the extra precautions schools have had to take, not just social distancing but removing many items of equipment from the classrooms. Additional cleaning, even though it is the same bubble using the classroom.

Many people, possibly not those on this thread, are quarantining their post and washing their shopping. I can just see the sad face articles in newspapers where someone went to a self catering holiday cottage and caught the virus there! This is what holiday cottage owners will have to put up with.

As I said earlier in this thread I was told I was covered by insurance as a school governor if someone wants to make a claim if they get the virus supposedly from school. If that insurance didn't exist I would have resigned immediately.

I am assuming guidance will also be provided for hotels/B&Bs etc, like they have for schools, employers and there will be fines if these new guidelines are not adhered to.

I hope it is your cottagr that I have booked for July OP!

Sounds like you have got it in control. I would like to know that there was still enough in the kitchen that I could cook most of our meals. An inventory would be good as I'd be happy to bring any of my own stuff that I felt I needed!

5pm checkout is late but given the circumstances and with some warning that is fine - goodness I know plenty of people that have lost out on whole holidays including once in a lifetime ones so I'd take 'loosing' a couple of hours

I'm booked for October through a holiday cottage company and have had an email to advise that checkout is now 9am and check in is 5pm!

Even though that's only 3 hours difference in reality, but it feels like it will be a whole day less of our holiday. I'm paying for a whole week but I'm only really getting 6 days.

Previously 3pm was still enough time to get out for a walk, get fish and chips in and still get the kids to bed at a reasonable time. Now we'll have to bring something to cook and by the time we've unpacked and sorted tea it'll be past the kids bedtime and they'll be tired and grumpy after a whole days travelling/excitement.

Ditto the morning we are leaving - 9am means a 6am wake up to get breakfast, tidied, cleaned, packed away.

I completely get why the guidelines have changed, but it feels a bit off, especially when the holiday cottage company have explicitly said no refunds for the lost time.

@ineedaholidaynow

I think some people are being quite naive if they think their holiday experience is going to be the same as it usually is.

Just look at all the extra precautions schools have had to take, not just social distancing but removing many items of equipment from the classrooms. Additional cleaning, even though it is the same bubble using the classroom.

Many people, possibly not those on this thread, are quarantining their post and washing their shopping. I can just see the sad face articles in newspapers where someone went to a self catering holiday cottage and caught the virus there! This is what holiday cottage owners will have to put up with.

As I said earlier in this thread I was told I was covered by insurance as a school governor if someone wants to make a claim if they get the virus supposedly from school. If that insurance didn't exist I would have resigned immediately.

I am assuming guidance will also be provided for hotels/B&Bs etc, like they have for schools, employers and there will be fines if these new guidelines are not adhered to.

I don’t think I am naive to expect get what was advertised to me, and what I subsequently paid for. My cottage was booked last week, not before coronavirus, so I expect what I have paid for. If that can’t happen, I would like to be give the option to cancel.

www.staycity.com/stay-safe/

Adding this - these are serviced apartments I work with. They are removing cushions etc and providing bags so customers leave rubbish and laundry outside the room ie minimising the time staff are in the rooms.

I think you're doing the right thing in removing anything that can't be easily cleaned. With things like games and puzzles, perhaps these could be on request, and you "quarantine" them for 72 hours after they are returned?

I would be very displeased with the later check in time. And unless it's a really low budget place, with removal of the kitchen equipment.

Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s hard for businesses. I have lost 2/3 of my income (self employed but not for long enough to claim anything) due to the situation. I haven’t passed any of that loss on to my customers though.

@Drivingdownthe101 was there any small print saying details of booking subject to COVID-19 guidance?

If I have to leave 72 hours (that's 4 days) between changeovers...

Which time dimension is your cottage in, with its weird 18-hour days? I assume it's on Uranus?

Personally I reckon that people who are being hyper-vigilant will want to do their own disinfecting and bring their own tea bags and kitchen implements. Those who aren't would probably prefer to check in at the original time.

Hi. I booked my holiday cottage months ago for end of July and honestly, if it's your place, I would just be glad if we'll be allowed to go. I do understand the reason for delaying access but, having paid the balance on Friday, the instructions still say keys will be available from 3pm. So, in my view, you need to let your guests know as soon as possible so that they can make alternative arrangements or they'll be hanging around outside for 2 hours.

I wouldn't want to stay anywhere with a 5 pm check in. Normal cleaning is fine for me provided the reviews mention how clean it it. If prefer some items set aside, such as toys or dvds so that I could clean them myself before use.

I have a gite in France. Like the OP we are having to review our change over routine, cleaning, arrival times and the content of the house.
We have been advised that in order to disinfect properly, all hard surfaces should be first cleaned with hot soapy water, then gone over again with a dilute bleach/anti viral solution.
I normally go over and clean - having to go over everything again will take almost twice as long.
We have also been told not to use vacuum cleaners...
Of course all bedding is changed between guests- I have bought extra duvets and pillows so they can be changed as well.
Soft furnishings have to be removed or covered with throws which can be washed at a high temperature.
Again- I have enough throws and cushions to have two sets to swap over.
The list goes on and on, and that's before you start on all the outside stuff.

In order to wash all the pots and pans some of the stuff that rarely gets used will have to be thinned out- I have worked out it's 3 or 4 dishwasher loads if there is anymore than that there won't be time.

It strikes me that a lot of posters are expecting perfection in cleaning and disinfection - but not realising just how long it will actually take. Or the extra costs involved.

This really isn't about what individual guests want. This is about what is enough to keep the community transmission of COVID low enough that it doesn't start to spread exponentially.

We cannot just go back to everything being exactly the same is was in March or what exactly what happened in March with infection rates skyrocketing will just happen again. Nothing has changed - the virus may be a bit weaker but we don't know that.

I agree that there should be a larger gap between the vacating guest and the arriving guests, maybe 72 hours.
I understand that you are fully booked now and so can't do that, OP, but maybe one option to put in before the next set of bookings come in.

I understand why currently you feel to can only accommodate a 5pm check in. What time do guests need to vacate the property on departure? Just seeing if maybe there could be a bit of movement on both times there.

I would not book a property that imposed such a late check in. It would work if I was staying for a few dats or a week but not for an overnight stay or long weekend. If I'd booked and the check in time had changed dramatically I'm not sure I'd ask for money back but I think a lot of people might.

I agree with the idea of a couple of sets of cushions etc. So you can always clean one pair between stays.

You don't need to put tea bags into a jar, leave them out on the side.

Keep the kitchen utensils imo but nothing fancy. If you have a dishwasher these can be washed, or washed by the guests themselves but there is an element of trust there that guests will wash items thoroughly if no dishwasher.

I would be disappointed with a later check in, but I would be close to cancelling for an earlier departure. 10 is already early enough by the time you've got up, ready and eaten, then packed the last items and cleaned all the things that you're expected to clean before you leave. I have no problem with tidying up after myself, but I don't want to do it at stupid o'clock on the last morning of my holiday.

@heartsonacake

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.

^ This

I think it sounds really reassuring. I think having two sets of stuff is great. Hopefully this will mean the death of utterly pointless cushions and throws on beds that are never cleaned in holiday places.

I think 5 to check in is a bit late, although understandable given how much cleaning there is. This wouldn't put me off but I'd rather check in earlier and have less stuff.

I would leave more dishwasher tabs and perhaps ask for all plates, cups, glasses to be left on wash when people leave. That way you've got a bit of a march on getting done.

We will be offering the same service as usual, we are running a holiday cottage not a hospital and if people are willing to take the risk to go on holiday in the first place then they need to accept that we cant guarantee the covid status of the guests before them, or any of the places they will most likely visit whilst they are here.

Leaving a day between guests wouldn't work as either as then we would have to ask each booking to have 1 less day or we would end up with change over days mid week and a different day one week to the next. It just wouldn't be practical to manage.

@averylongtimeago who has advised you that you need to do that? I assume similar rules for this country.

Have people seen what some shops are doing tomorrow when they reopen? Some shops aren't having changing rooms open, others are but then quarantining for 72 hours clothes/shoes that have been tried on. other shops aren't letting people pick things up unless they are buying them. Shopping is not going to be how it is was so why would you expect your holiday to be

@Movinghouseatlast

Can’t believe the criticism; of course a Covid clean is going to take longer than a standard one!

Only other suggestion and I appreciate it adds to running costs - maybe hire an additional pair of hands if you can, so you could do the double clean in half the time? @
Splitting toys and leaflets into two piles and having them out week and week about sounds sensible.

@Caspianberg

We also have a holiday cottage, in mainland Europe, rentals fully re-opened and we are full back to back all summer now.

I wouldn't want all of those things removed, and neither would our guests imo. Most booked last year so booked based on those things being there.

Here:
Bedding - we will change still. mattress protectors have always been used and swapped. Wont be steaming mattresses

Throws, cushions etc - same as usual. We have double of everything, all covers and throws are already taken out, new set in and first set then washed for following week. So this will remain. I wouldn't want unwashed stuff left in before anyway.

Sofas - always hoovered and damp cloth wiped. We wont be steaming them.

Curtains - we won't be steaming them.

Food - welcome baskets remain. Salt/pepper/oil removed

Kitchen stuff - this has always all been removed and dishwasher, drawers cleaned and everything back. This will remain.

Toys and games - have 2 baskets. Will do half and half so guests arent touching anything for at least 7 days (we have min 7 day stay). then rotate.

Communal areas- extra daily cleaning

For us there is actually very little difference. We have always had a high level of cleaning (imo) and this will continue. Its mainly physical greetings etc that will cease. Our check out is 10am, and check in 4pm. We have a 5hr turn around.

@Movinghouseatlast, I prefer this approach. I'd be quite frustrated by a 5pm check in when Caspian's approach is easier all round and would mean maintaining the 3pm check in.

We have a holiday cottage booked for later this summer. Assuming we get to go we will be the first guests this summer as all booked stays before that have been cancelled.

So one thing I would be considering is that all this cleaning and scrubbing could only remove germs left by any previous occupants. If you have coronavirus, perhaps an asymptomatic carrier, then as fast as you’re cleaning you’re breathing germs back onto surfaces.

Our location is remote so perfect for avoiding others. That does mean we can’t walk out to pick up takeaway and will need to be cooking for ourselves. So I would be pissed off if half the equipment is removed.

What does this mean:
“ I have also asked to leave the cottage as you would wish to find it.”
Because when this has come up before owners are expecting people to have cleaned the property thoroughly. I’m just not doing that. I will wipe up smears and spillages, hoover up dirt we’ve walked into the house etc but I’m not going to be scrubbing floors and toilets on the last day of a holiday in a “luxury” property when I’m paying to have it cleaned in between lets.

72 hours is not 4 days.

Have guests check out at noon on Fridays and check in opens noon on Mondays.

Email your guests and say that in order to have the standard of accommodation they've chosen and paid for, these gaps are necessary, so all reservations are now Mon-fri. Refund guests 2nughts each.

OP and others with cottages / properties,

I'd prefer the option to arrive on Day 2 for a reduced rate, rather than access the cottage after 5pm.

We have a cottage booked for July 4th (the exact day for expected reopening at the moment). So far we have only paid the deposit - holiday company have agreed special terms for the balance.

We had booked a pub hotel room for the night before to break the journey - not available now.

I assume as we will be the first in, a late check in won't be needed, but i am already erring on not going - 5pm onwards would be the last straw.

Surely you just get more people to do the clean if needed?