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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:
TerrapinStation · 14/06/2020 16:53

@Delatron

I haven’t booked a break yet. If I could only get a 5pm check in anywhere due to guidelines. I just wouldn’t bother going and I’d stay at home.
That's a very extreme reaction, for the sake of 2 hours you'd rather not have a holiday at all?
DisobedientHamster · 14/06/2020 16:53

Hotels will probably have similar restrictions in place.

I have one booked for July; no, no similar restrictions.

9 am check out and 7 pm check in would stop me booking. In effect your paying for 2 days you hardly use. If I had children a 7 pm check in would be terrible.

This!

Thank fuck we have a motorhome. CBA'd with such a rip off.

DisobedientHamster · 14/06/2020 16:55

That's a very extreme reaction, for the sake of 2 hours you'd rather not have a holiday at all?

It's not just two hours, it's everything else - having to pack more, get up earlier to clear off and if there's a 7pm check in, basically use an entire day on either side.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Dixie2016 · 14/06/2020 17:04

I’d be thrilled with extra cleaning as being perfectly honest I find most holiday accommodation a bit grubby. It’s usually surface clean but lacking in the proper cleaning you’d do if you actually lived there.
And I’d definitely welcome no cushions or throws as I usually pack them all away since I read they don’t get washed between guests.

Delatron · 14/06/2020 17:10

It’s not just two hours like another poster said it does really affect the first and last day of your holiday. Worth it for a 3 or 4 days stay? Not for me.
It’s not an extreme reaction as others on this thread alone have said the same.
Especially with young children.

It just tips the holiday on to the ‘not really worth it’ bracket. Especially with everything else going on at the moment. I’m not sure many of us were expecting to get away.

TerrapinStation · 14/06/2020 17:14

@Delatron

It’s not just two hours like another poster said it does really affect the first and last day of your holiday. Worth it for a 3 or 4 days stay? Not for me. It’s not an extreme reaction as others on this thread alone have said the same. Especially with young children.

It just tips the holiday on to the ‘not really worth it’ bracket. Especially with everything else going on at the moment. I’m not sure many of us were expecting to get away.

Well clearly my mind reading skills aren't working today, I should have known that when you only referred to a 2 hour delay in check in you actually meant all of those other things you've now posted, silly me.
Delatron · 14/06/2020 17:24

Yes, however if the check in was 3 and check out was 10 then it would be worth it.

So the impact of moving the times does have huge a knock on effect.

I thought this thread was from a holiday owner asking for opinions on her. We schedule? Then you give your opinion as a customer and you get told that’s an overreaction. Only on Mumsnet.

Delatron · 14/06/2020 17:26

The only other point I posted apart from the time difference was ‘in the current climate’

Not loads of other points? My points were all to do with moving the check in and check out time. So no you don’t need to be a mind reader. You just need to read my post correctly.

drspouse · 14/06/2020 17:31

With two small children and the car already full how could we bring duvets or kitchen equipment? We usually pack knives and a cafetiere because even if the cottage has them they are rubbish. I'm not sure what you could remove and still make the cottage workable.
I'm not that bothered about cushions but it is really easy to swap them over, same with toys, likewise anything movable that you'll be cleaning twice why not swap it over instead.
7pm check in with small children when there is nowhere to eat out? No way.

bottlenose301 · 14/06/2020 17:33

I wouldn't mind a 5pm check for a longer stay. It just wouldn't work for me (and I'd likely be with my child) on a short break or long weekend. Or a 9am check out. Maybe I'm in the minority though.
I think a days break in between guests could be sensible but not sure how practical that is.
I feel for cottage owners, air b n b etc. I know they aren't doing this for 'shits and giggles' and these are the regulations.
But ultimately its down to the customer to choose whether to stay or not.
As others Have said on here, hotels (some anyway) may be more equipped to handle the extra cleaning and turnaround so for me personally, would be better for me for short stays.
It's all up in the air though so we just have to see how it pans out.

drspouse · 14/06/2020 17:35

And why use bleach? Bleach does NOT kill the virus. Just smells, and stains clothes.

bottlenose301 · 14/06/2020 17:36

I agree Delatron. I'm hoping this kind of advice and feedback helps planning. Its useful to hear all the different kind of consumer feedback whether it's agreed with or not. Holiday let owners will realise they won't be able to please everyone (now more than ever) and a lot will be trial and error.

SellFridges · 14/06/2020 17:39

Our holiday company (a pretty big one in Cornwall) have updated their info to say that their check in/check out will change to 5pm and 9am. I’m ok with the check in as we have a long journey, but the check out is now very early especially as we have a multi location break booked so will have 9am -5pm to fill between locations. I just remember to check if we can use the parking at our second location.

ineedaholidaynow · 14/06/2020 17:42

Hotels will have more regulations too

HolidayLetter · 14/06/2020 17:52

This thread is really useful - thank you for starting it, @Movinghouseatlast

My main changes were going to be:

Provide individual soaps, shower gels etc. I know they are terrible for the environment, but I can't see people wanting to use a soap dispenser which someone else has already used - so I think this is a short/medium-term solution.

I was going to change cushion covers between guests, rather than stash them all away. The sofas are leather, so they will have to stay as they are. However, they can at least be cleaned.

I was not going to change the arrival or departure times (currently 3PM and 10AM). I think guests would feel short-changed if I did. I quite often let guests arrive and leave their luggage early, rather than traipse around with it, and would continue to offer to do this.

I provide a welcome pack, and will continue to do so. All the items are sealed - including the tea bags, which are individually foil-wrapped. I don't provide eggs/dairy produce, except for a bottle of milk (which I leave in the fridge).

Masses of cleaning products are under the sink in the kitchen, and I always leave out loads of fresh loo rolls. Maybe I will leave them in their packets so guests can be certain that they haven't been touched.

I clean the properties myself, having failed to find anyone who does it to the required standard, so will be extra diligent.

Other than that: I will work on the assumption that guests will to some extent make their own decisions. Some may prefer to bring their own towels and bedding; if that's the case, that is absolutely fine. They can bring whatever they like! However, I will continue to provide everything I have always provided, unless I am explicitly asked by a guest not to.

I think anyone booking a holiday cottage will be aware that there is some degree of risk, however minuscule, and anyone who is seriously at risk is probably not likely to book a property which has potentially recently been inhabited by someone else.

ExpletiveDelighted · 14/06/2020 18:24

I don't mind a 5pm check in / 9am checkout but would mind losing a night if I'd already booked. Happy to ditch throws and cushions off beds (I always chuck them in the bottom of the wardrobe for the duration anyway). I also don't mind if you remove books, DVDs, games etc. I'd still like leaflets but you could have two boxes and alternate them. I do expect a full complement of kitchen equipment and cushions on chairs and sofas though.

I personally don't think every surface needs to be sanitised, but if those are the rules.

I'm not bothered about lavish welcome hampers but tea/coffee/milk and maybe a cake are a nice touch.

Studycast · 14/06/2020 18:31

Averylongtimeago you are advised not to use vacuum cleaners in France? Is this because they could potentially spread the virus around?

Studycast · 14/06/2020 18:33

Agh, posted too soon, won't brushing spread it around just as much? Or are you meant to damp mop everywhere?

Scruffyoak · 14/06/2020 18:34

7pm check in is extreme.

We are booked for Cornwall 4th July. Don't expect anything different to be honest.

tinierclanger · 14/06/2020 18:42

I wouldn’t book with a 5pm check in, let alone 7pm. 3pm is enough of a pain as it is.

bluefoxmug · 14/06/2020 18:46

we usually travel a long way, a 3pm check in is ridiculously early imo

check in 5-9pm is perfect and check out between 9-10am reasonable.

Woeismethischristmas · 14/06/2020 18:49

I wouldn't be impressed at the leave it how you wish to find it. I expect a cottage to be properly cleaned between guests. Obviously I wipe down surfaces after cooking, dishes in the dishwasher quick Hoover but my idea of a holiday is not to get up crack of dawn to clean on my last day. Strip beds at a push.

Cant you just get an extra person in to give you a hand to get deep cleaning done?

I say this as a holiday cottage owner as well.

dobbyssoc · 14/06/2020 18:58

Could you do it so you have 24 hours between guests rather than vacating and coming on the same day? This would be important to me to know the cleaning has not been rushed.
I'd also let all guests know before time what will be available etc so everyone is aware.
In terms of food you can always ask the guests if they would like the hamper or not then you have no wasted food if they'd rather not have it

HolidayLetter · 14/06/2020 19:04

Just musing further.

I have always asked guests to put the dishwasher on before they leave. But I don't (and wouldn't) ask them to do any more than that. They are paying a large amount, and are on holiday! Plus I would rather do it all myself, not least as the rubbish/recycling can be a pain, and I'd rather make sure it's all in the right boxes at the right moment, etc. Permanent residents can become unhappy if holiday guests fill up the communal bins with black sacks of bottles!

Asking guests to put the dishwasher on is purely pragmatic. It's helpful to me, as I otherwise have to spend time washing up or waiting for the dishwasher to finish (which can sometimes be the case if I have to start it when I come to clean, and need to do two full loads).

HolidayLetter · 14/06/2020 19:06

A final thought, for the moment. I also have back-up to help me with the cleaning, for the times when guests leave the place looking like a complete tip thinking of the people who had a piss-up and vomited all over the house