What 'out of the ordinary' things would really delight you in a holiday rental?

[Malin52]

Just bought a holiday rental property (yes, I'm in another country with no COVID restrictions except the border remains closed) and I'm super keen to make sure my guests have a really lovely experience.

I've had many experiences of my own of staying in holiday homes with crap or limited amenities that ruins a holiday so between that and the various threads on here I've got a pretty decent list of 'non negotiables' ie full length mirrors, table lamps, 2x the crockery/glassware for max capacity, range of sharp knives, potato peelers, sieves, enough lounge/dining space for everyone, good towels, various saucepans and oven dishes, food serving dishes and tools, games and books you can actually read rather than a job lot of shite picked up at a knockdown price (the beginners guide to Visual Basic in one place I am reminded of) etc.

But I'm Keen to know what would really make you think your hosts had really thought about your needs? Some of those things that you wouldn't normally find but you wish were there or things you have to remember and pack, or go out and buy

Rental is a two bed , beachfront location

Some thoughts I've had:

• basic cooking bits on top of oil, salt/pepper such as mixed herbs, chilli?
• kitchen consumables such as paper towels, cling film, tin foil?
• couple of Tupperware boxes for picnics, cool bag and ice packs,
• ice made up in the freezer
• chilled tap water in a glass bottle the fridge
• beach bits: sunshades, blankets, body boards
• reuseable bags for the supermarket
• sugar, teabags, coffee.

Anything else?

How would you feel about using food items someone else had used previous such as the herbs, oil, sugar etc? What if there was a decanted sealed jar of ketchup in the fridge (bbq on the deck and I always find buying yet another ketchup just for a couple of burgers v annoying). Would the ice and water delight you or make you go eurggh?!

Thoughts welcome? Too much effort for the potential for someone to think it's all a big grim?

Also, washing powder and dishwasher tabs. Some provide but it is always nice to know ahead of time so I don’t need to bring some. And overall, being clear ahead of time what is there is super useful. If it’s not mentioned you have to assume it won’t be there and pack it anyway.

Gosh, some people have high expectations.

It's nice to find a filled ice cube tray - as long as it's clean and not all freezer burned!

Holiday homes filled with children’s stuff would really put me off, I don’t want to have bright plastic kids steps / stair gates / high chair / potties (bleugh) cluttering up the space

These should be on request!

Things like Tupperware, binoculars, beach tat, etc. will get nicked. Books will be taken, and ‘swapped’. For anything unnecessary just think ‘will I be happy enough to replace this every few months?’ if yes, go for it

I repeat my earlier point - it totally depends on who you’re guests are. I never had one item taken in six years - and that included those full size LOccitane toiletries. But the sort of guests we had just really looked after things and appreciated what we offered. NB I did occasionally have people ask if they could take home a paperback they were reading which I never minded!!

I have stayed in 2 holiday rentals recently. The first one had a welcome pack of a pack of fresh scones, with cream in the fridge and jam. A carton of orange juice and some milk. Also a pack of nice biscuits. That was very much appreciated.

The second one did not have anything at all but was near a shop. Bit it had a little portable bed brought in for DS. On the last night oif our 10 day stay for various reasons I ended up in that bed and discovered that the spribgs had broken and so you were lying on the frame and it was INCREDIBLY uncomfortable and really hurt my back. i mentioned it to DS and he said yes he had had trouble sleeping. I was pretty cross so I would recommend just making sure things are not broken like that. I am sure you would not, but it was something that MIGHT have escaped notice by the owners but there was a bit of me that wondered if because it was for a child they cared less IFSWIM.

We holiday most in the Channel islands and Canary islands and UK. The weather is variable to say the least. We will have a hoodie/fleece each and also a decent waterproof and possibly a lightweight waterproof too.

I wouldn't really consider a hoodie/fleece to be a coat. And they don't really need to hang either, although it may be more convenient to leave by the door if they aren't being worn inside, I'm not sure they would need a separate hook. But then our coatracks have at several items per hook including umbrellas and stuff so maybe I'm not best to ask!

If you wanted to have decent books in the holiday rental, to discourage people taking them/swapping with their own books, you could maybe cover them in clear plastic covers (like library books) with "property of xxxx holiday home" stamped on them.

@Daisydoesnt

Things like Tupperware, binoculars, beach tat, etc. will get nicked. Books will be taken, and ‘swapped’. For anything unnecessary just think ‘will I be happy enough to replace this every few months?’ if yes, go for it

I repeat my earlier point - it totally depends on who you’re guests are. I never had one item taken in six years - and that included those full size LOccitane toiletries. But the sort of guests we had just really looked after things and appreciated what we offered. NB I did occasionally have people ask if they could take home a paperback they were reading which I never minded!!

That's what the deposit is for. If people nick things, take it off the deposit.

Full spice rack and kitchen utensils including scales and a blender. Oh and definitely some kind of coffee machine, even just a cafietere. Nespressos are obviously easier but expensive.

I would have no problems with using others 'leftovers' with regards to condiments.

I am always delighted to receive a little welcome hamper - even a little one with milk, bread, tea, biscuits, coffee for coffee machine.

I think as PP have said that it’s the cleanliness, state of repair and having enough of the basics like plates and cups that’s most important.

That said, some things we are always happy to find...

Access to cleaning cupboard/materials
Lots of tea towels
Biscuits / cake on arrival is lovely especially if homemade or local, but anything beyond that is not appreciated to the value of the cost/effort taken to provide it

White bedding
Decent pillows. A choice is lovely but people really won’t expect it in a rental and fussy people like me will bring their own anyway.
A coffee machine is lovely. I bring my own if there isn’t one and don’t expect there to be one, but it’s nice if the listing says there is one
I like to find games, one or two well maintained ones are better than lots of tatty ones
I also love the random collections of left-behind books, but appreciate I might be alone in that!
Good quality knives and cookware
King size beds and decent mattresses

A couple of phone chargers can be really useful, although I wouldn’t buy expensive ones as I’d expect them to go missing

Large wine glasses.

I always take my own, or go out and buy some cheap ones. I hate wine in a small thimble.

Blankets, any type but preferably wool, that smell lovely and fresh.

Pack of t lights would please me, I love candles and always take my own.

Sharp knives.

Freezer.

Any leftover oils and spices etc being left and clearly labelled as such wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I'd be more impressed with your non throwaway attitude than any feelings of ick.

I don't drink tea or coffee, but if you were to take up valuable space I'd want the machine to be able to do hot chocolate.

No to food, beyond a welcome cake or pack of biscuits and few teabags.
No to ice made up in freezer...would bin it as it might have been there for months.

Key thing....double the amount of cultlery and plates and glasses and mugs as max the house sleeps AT LEAST.

Very worst thing is having to wash up constantly because there are only 4 knives because property sleeps 4.

Leave some empty cupboards so when people have their food delivery arrive, there is place to put stuff....so no surplus of casserole dishes or odd roasting tins filling every single cupboard.

Yes to quality mattress, towels and bed linen.

Ensure big door mats near every door and enough coat hooks and places to leave muddy shoes.

I stay in a lot of serviced apartments
You would not believe how some of them don’t have the basics
So...
Microwave - unbelievable but yes a five star expensive apartment no microwave I hate cooking on holiday
Toaster
Spare bulbs for the lamps and check them after each stay . Every apartment I’ve stayed in have had broken bulbs and lamps not working just keep a few spare .

1or 2 extra long extension lead with USB points for phones and stuff
A couple of spare USB lead for phones even if cheap £1 ones how many times have I left charging leads behind 😂
Hairdryer
Salt pepper & oil
Large Bag of ice cubes
4 pillows on the bed
Mirrors in bedroom lounge and bathroom

Washing up liquid - don’t care if it’s cheap but don’t water it down to make it last longer
Washing machine tablets
Cleaning stuff - bin bags -
Toilet rolls a pack of 4 is fine
Decent hover that works
Dustpan and brush
Decent towels
2 large bath towels 2 medium towels & 2 hand towels and any colour but white 😂
Bath / shower mat
Pack of 6 bottled water

@MyDcAreMarvel

A soft toy and a craft pack on each child’s back. A decent welcome pack that included sweets and treats for the kids.

That's a lot of extra expense for the OP every week/couple of weeks. A decent welcome pack is always welcome but surely the soft toy would have to be new each time as most people wouldn't want their kids having some random soft toy. Don't most people with children young enough for soft toys take a favourite with them?

Lots of the things mentioned on this thread are lovely and would be very welcome, but some are just over the top.

Be careful with nice little bits for beach etc.

You sound lovely but they will get nicked.

I would keep it to household items only.

I love a proper cooking set - oven dishes, frying pans, saucepans etc.

A milk jug, measuring implements, cafetière, teapot, egg cups, plenty of cups etc.

Nice towels and bedding with a good mattress topper!

It’s fascinating how different people are!

I’m in the camp that likes it if there’s a few bits like herbs, sugar etc in the cupboards.

In terms of things that lend a bit of ‘wow’ - nespresso machine or similar, a few local welcome goodies (a cake or biscuits or whatever else), nice toiletries.

In terms of things which generally make me think the host knows what they’re doing and really makes for a good stay:
-kitchen well stocked with glassware, crockery, pans etc. Nothing more annoying than trying to improvise when there’s no trays for the oven etc.

-good info provided in the accommodation and also in advance. These days it’s so easy to email over info ahead of the stay. Info about what is included and what to bring is always appreciated. In the UK I always arrange an online shop to be delivered when we arrive so knowing simply things like whether we need to buy dishwasher tablets or not really helps plan. General thoughtfulness and a sense that the owner actually cares about your stay make for a positive experience.

@MacDuffsMuff by soft toy I mean a beanie baby type toy costing around £8 , bought in bulk a baker toss craft pack would be around £4 so £12 per child.
As a customer I would be happy to pay more than the £12 extra for little things like that. Of course my children bring their own but littles extras like that really make their holiday. One hotel did that once it was the highlight of their holiday and what they talked about the most,

OP the place we normally stay has lots of lovely little extras.

The welcome back is lovely - tea/coffee/biscuits/wine/bottled water/bread/cheese/butter and milk. Always a box of nice chocs too. She always leaves a vase of fresh flowers too. Cleanliness is the main thing, as I'm sure it is for most people, good beds and good linen.

There's plenty of cutlery and crockery.

[quote MyDcAreMarvel]@MacDuffsMuff by soft toy I mean a beanie baby type toy costing around £8 , bought in bulk a baker toss craft pack would be around £4 so £12 per child.
As a customer I would be happy to pay more than the £12 extra for little things like that. Of course my children bring their own but littles extras like that really make their holiday. One hotel did that once it was the highlight of their holiday and what they talked about the most,[/quote]
Fair enough, it's a nice touch, but certainly not a deal-breaker for me.

For me, big mugs
I'm rare as I like having the extra bits and bobs of food in the cupboard as nothing is more annoying to me as having to buy whole new boxes/ bottles of seasoning, sauces etc and then have to cart them all home or abandon them. I struggle to see how a splash of Worcester sauce or mustard from a jar in the cupboard can be unhygienic/ germy?
Same with the ice cubes- how can ice go off???? I LOVE having ready made ice cubes in a holiday let- can get the drinks going while you unpack- it's one of the best bits!

A big bed without a footboard!! Nightmare for my tall DH.

@MyDcAreMarvel

A soft toy and a craft pack on each child’s back. A decent welcome pack that included sweets and treats for the kids.

This really is overkill - and a lot of parents would not thank you for leaving sweets and soft toys. Kids will accumulate enough junk on their own without it being provided by the holiday home owner.

A colouring book, or some kids' drawing paper is fine, though.

I take all my holidays in rental cottages (dog friendly) the most important thing for me is good quality mattresses and bedding, I take all my own oil and condiments etc. I dont like ready made up ice cubes because you don’t know if anything has been added to them! Maybe a supermarket bag of ice would be good. Also like to have decent wine glasses I hate those teeny ones..... I like large glasses of wine on my hols oh and bath sheets not bath towels I also hate small towels!

I think how you feel about this often depends a lot on how you travel there.

Packing a box with a few bits from home is easy enough. Likewise, buying a box of dishwasher tabs is no biggy if you can just take the rest home with you. But I don't have a car, so I've travelled by train. I don't want to spend 4€ to run the dishwasher twice over a long weekend when I'm already paying enough for use of the place. If it's not already there, chances are you're actively removing it between guests and I very much resent being forced to stock your house.

So adequate quantities of all powders and tabs necessary to run whatever appliances you've got (dishwasher, washing machine).

Cling film/tin foil
Plenty of bin bags and very clear instructions about how to sort recycling and where it all needs to go. (As PP said, not via the tip on the way home either.)

Basic kitchen supplies: oil, tea bags, proper coffee (and filters if necessary - that one was infuriating), instant coffee, sugar, salt, pepper, sweeteners.

Butter dish and tea pot with cosy. Very pleased to find these.

No fresh stuff. I'll feel obligated to use it, which is potentially inconvenient. I have previously left a place carrying half a homebaked cake because that felt less awkward than leaving it abandoned on the kitchen table.

More than one dish cloth and tea towel.
A washing up brush and scouring pad.

A potato masher. (Not vital, but a real bummer when you suddenly realise there isn't one and you'd assumed there would be.)

Access to Hoover and basic cleaning supplies (this does everyone a favour and i will spill coffee or sugar.)

Hand soap (liquid, so I can also use it in place of the shower gel I've forgotten and so it doesn't have to be new every time).

Loo roll. Plenty of loo roll. (Stayed in a place once where they left us only one. We ran out on the Sunday when all the shops were closed - we were actually working and crazy busy, so hadn't been paying attention - asked the owners, who lived next door, if they could let us have another and they said no!)

The latest check out time you can possibly offer and somewhere you can let us leave our luggage for the day if you need us out by 10 am, but our train doesn't leave till the afternoon.

Also yes to cafetiere and books - in holiday lets I have been in, I have left books I have read as a little library for the next people- one book I chose had a little note on the inside cover from someone who had stayed previously a few years before