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.

No thanks. I would cancel. I want it exactly as it was and I certainly wouldn’t be happy with a 5pm check in. I want to get settled and get a bit of the day

If everyone leaves 24 hours between guests then the prices have to go up for everyone surely?
9-5 seems the least invasive change whilst still paying the same.
Things will be different for a while for everyone.

Bleach does not kill the virus

What makes you say that - it's what both Public Health England and Public Health Scotland recommend using.

I wouldn't be happy but explain the reasons to me and I would accept it just an email saying things have changed and no explanation I wouldn't be happy... Maybe a bottle of prosecco in the fridge would help too!

using bleach on it's own is not very effective, but disinfecting surfaces previously cleaned with soapy warm water is.

Your Prosecco point @Lola001 reminds me that so much is made better by owners communicating properly with guests. Guests aren't just random people paying us to stay in our properties. They are individuals and part of the 'service' involves establishing a relationship with them before they arrive. Quite apart from anything else, it's just good manners. Everything else arises as part of a dialogue with the guest/s. You very quickly come to know who is gluten-free and won't want the 'standard' cake, or who likes white wine rather than red, etc, etc, etc. It just takes a bit of effort, but it makes life nicer for everyone.

I would want a reverse disinfectant service, ie, that you touch/close every door and disinfect them, finishing with the front door.

I will be disinfecting on arrival, as I’m not sure our holiday cottage has done this.

Also things that people touch. Kettle, toilet flush, all cupboard handles, remote control.

Easy really

All excellent points, @CountessFrog

I would do these anyway (not least as I am severely emetophobic, so have always erred on the side of super-caution), but would normally leave all the doors open after disinfecting the handles on my way out. I may now modify my practice!

I would want everything as it is - games, kitchen equipment etc. If I’d payed for a cottage that was suited to my family I’d rather have the option of cancelling if you were going to take all the bits away that made my holiday a holiday.

Normal cleaning would suffice, as I would clean all plates and kitchen equipment before using them anyway. I would be put off a 5pm check in too. It would be better to make the checkout a bit earlier if you really want to do some extra cleaning. No earlier than 10am though.

Then I’d be happy.

I’m happy also to bring my own pillow. I do that anyway.

After that - let’s just crack on. Hope it goes ok for you x

using bleach on it's own is not very effective, but disinfecting surfaces previously cleaned with soapy warm water is.
That will be what I've read - there seems to be a "disinfecting the post and the wall the parcels have touched" sub group that is only using bleach and I read not to use it.
But in any case, staining clothes on bleach residue would be very annoying.
With regards to surfaces, I'd assume cleaning all touchable surfaces was standard anyway and everyone is washing their hands all the time. After a day or two you only have yourself to blame for germs.
I am more worried about going to a crowded tourist attraction than our holiday cottage by a factor of about 1 million.

If that's addressed to me, @CountessFrog, thank you! Much appreciated...

OP, I love the fact that you're cleaning everything, I'm always a bit worried about the mattress, bedding and furniture anyway so really like the measures you are putting in place; I always wash all the kitchen stuff before use and would prefer to know that all the things I might need are there. (In the past I've had to go and buy a frying pan, kitchen sieve, wooden spatula - although to be honest there was a frying pan, I just wouldn't want to eat anything that had come out of it!)

We do self catering a lot, as it suits our holiday style, and we've already cancelled two this year, as the events we were going to have been cancelled - the booking agency was very helpful and let us transfer to the equivalent dates in 2021; we stayed with them last year and the apartment was lovely.

The early checkout time would probably be more annoying than the later check in as we'd just plan to arrive a couple of hours later, whereas we're not naturally early risers ...

Yes, Holidayletter, it was.

I’m so tired of this. I fully appreciate that people letting cottages are having a nightmare.

I’m letting one in August, I paid the (huge!) balance on Saturday. Feels like a leap of faith, but I’m prepared to have faith. We can’t go on like this.

We holiday in cottages a lot, the thing that would put me off is the 5pm check in, I find 4pm hard enough! I wouldn’t want cushions and throws removed I’d just like them to be washed🤷‍♀️

Something left to tell me everything had been deep cleaned would be good too.

How would anyone know that the soft furnishings had been washed/swapped over anyway?

Reading this thread just makes me want to book a week long cottage !! Ah if only.

I would be ok with a 5pm check in - although I'd prefer the usual 4pm - but if we were expected to leave at 9am that's a bit of a deal breaker for me, I'd probably just leave the night before.

Regarding the arrival could you let people drop off their luggage and use the kitchen - that way they would be able to at least make a meal and put away the kitchen stuff ?

If this how holiday rentals will be now I'd be cancelling and re booking for next year when hopefully things will be back to normal. Not being able to check in till 5 would be a right pain with trying to get dinner and beds sorted for small children, not having tea and coffee and other basics is just a pain. No books, cushions etc just makes it sound joyless.

Thank you again, @CountessFrog I really hope other people think along the same lines as you (this has been the worst few months of my life - and that's saying something) - and that you have a lovely holiday, when it comes!

It all sounds utterly OTT to me.

I would be really pissed off with less kitchen utensils/crockery as sticking them in a sink full of hot water and washing up liquid is so easy.

I would also be naffed off with insufficient quantities of tea and coffee. I am capable of washing my hands after touching anything that could be contaminated and boiling water poured on the bag/pod is sufficient to kill the virus.

Throws and cushion covers can be washed with detergent which kills the virus.

I would only remove things that are unnecessary and difficult to sterilise. Books, board games, children's toys etc.

We’ve got to get a grip and take sensible precautions without ruining the economy haven’t we?

It’s astonishing how hysterical people have become.

HolidayLetter - I think you’re getting a hard time here. I’d rather not have a late check in / early check out but I’d rather that than not be able to go at all. These are NOT normal times and I’d put up with some inconvenience to still get away, support tourism and still minimise risk.