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What makes the perfect self-catering holiday?

115 replies

NeedATan · 13/03/2021 18:25

We are looking to start a self-catering holiday business, starting with one dog-friendly two-bedroom cottage in a rural part of the West Country (UK). We have a pretty comprehensive list of what we need to buy and provide (it will be quite high end, mostly aimed at couples, friends or families with older children) but we'd love to hear from you what you like to find when you go and stay in a self-catering property. Anything and everything considered! Thank you.

OP posts:
Xenia · 16/03/2021 11:14

We do all differ a bit - me with my single beds ( no doubles as we are none of us in a couple) and others needing king size ones. I also dislike pets so like someone above if it says "dog friendly" that would put me off due to allergies.

I don't mind some books on shelves. I was just reading my university diary and we had a family self catering holiday (lovely place, huge detached house, tennis court, all sorts including very nice for me a piano - we played every day) and there had been cats however so every day it was as if I had severe flu even after my father hoovered the whole bedroom, changed the covers on the bed etc My bed room was full of the owner's Mills & Boon books and although it was not my usual reading I did seem to read quite a few of them.
Susan

BalloonSlayer · 16/03/2021 11:30

For me it would have to be making it absolutely clear you allow dogs at the first stage, so that people like is wouldn't get excited about what looks like a dog-free place but turns out at the last minute it's not.

NeedATan · 16/03/2021 14:03

We will not provide blankets on the sofas or for the garden because they are difficult to clean. I always wonder how often those 'runners' at the foot of a bed in a self-catering place or in a hotel are washed. We will use throws on the (fabric) sofas when we have guests with dogs. These will get washed at 60 degrees after each check out.

The hoover we got is a Miele and will be left outside for guests to use if they wish to. The appliances we got are Bosch (including the iron!) because we want them to last even though not all guests will take care of them.

All bedding and towels will be high-threadcount Egyptian cotton. That's what we like at home and when we stay away, so that's what we're putting in the cottage.

Until further notice we will have to limit the amount of non-essential bits and pieces like sofa cushions, books, etc because of Covid. Once that's over (wishful thinking?) we will put some out but these will be cleaned regularly - I don't want to lie back on a cushion that a stranger had their head on. I doubt anyone does!

We will not be putting in a Nespresso machine because other owners have told us that you then open yourself up to either complaints because you didn't provide the pods, or complaints that you didn't provide espresso/decaf/etc pods! But we have bought cafetieres in three different sizes and stove top Italian-style ones.

We will also connect the smart TV to our Netflix and Prime accounts (with PINs so people cannot make purchases but they can watch stuff).

So much to think about!

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NeedATan · 16/03/2021 14:08

@Lentillover1900

And think very carefully about your food cutting boards Not wood certainly
We have bought three plastic (or whatever the white, thick ones are) and one wooden one (a friend said they wouldn't use plastic ones because it's not eco friendly). In varying sizes.
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fivelemons · 16/03/2021 14:09

One thing I always look for is some sort of outside area that is covered, so you can sit outdoors even if it is drizzling. In midsummer it is still relatively warm even when it is raining, and I'd rather sit outside when I'm on holiday. It also gives you somewhere to put towels to dry etc.

Also quite like a shelf with a few books provided, including a couple about local history.

PeacheyPeach · 16/03/2021 14:16

Decent wine glasses not the tiny old fashioned ones that are always in holiday homes!
Also enough lamps dotted around instead of sitting with the big light on in the evenings which can be pretty grim! Ive even bought my own lamps on holiday before now!

Londonmummy66 · 16/03/2021 14:32

A housekeeper and a chef (would also have liked a nanny when DC were little................)

usedtobeboss3 · 16/03/2021 14:46

This might sound like an odd thing, but I immediately discount anywhere that has beds with a rail or a board at the end. DH and DS are both 6'3 plus, and can't sleep comfortably in beds like this! So many self catering properties seem to have them...

NeedATan · 16/03/2021 15:18

@Londonmummy66

A housekeeper and a chef (would also have liked a nanny when DC were little................)
We have selected two private dining chefs that will come to the cottage to cook for you. No housekeeper but the cleaners would come and clean during your stay for an extra charge I guess!
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NeedATan · 16/03/2021 15:19

@usedtobeboss3

This might sound like an odd thing, but I immediately discount anywhere that has beds with a rail or a board at the end. DH and DS are both 6'3 plus, and can't sleep comfortably in beds like this! So many self catering properties seem to have them...
My best friend's husband is VERY tall so one of the beds doesn't have a board at the foot end for this very reason (we are planning to go and stay with friends).
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KihoBebiluPute · 16/03/2021 15:21

Make sure the bed in the master bedroom is at least a kingsize, or ideally a superking - people don't want to be less comfortable on holiday than they are at home. Bonus points if the mattress is an expensive "dual zone" type or zip-link so that you don't get a slope down to a central well.

In the second bedroom, make the bed something flexible that can accommodate either a second adult couple, or two kids, or if there is just one kid then having the second bed able to be hidden away underneath to open up the room (if you are just one person in a twin-bedded room it is frustrating having a huge amount of floorspace used up with an unneeded second bed)

Provide a dishwasher - people don't want to be doing more washing up when on holiday than they are at home, and even if eating out in the evenings there can be a surprising amount of washing up from breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

Don't fill up all the cupboards in the kitchen with crockery, glassware and cookware - we need somewhere to store the food we need! I often have to start off a holiday let selecting the best cupboards to totally re-arrange, taking a photo of what it was like when I started, and then condensing 2 cupboards of kitchenware into one just so that I have somewhere to put food.

Make sure that the cleaner between lets is going to do a scout of the garden to pick up any dog-doings left by the previous holidaymakers before the next batch arrive (and obviously make it clear in your Ts&Cs that they will be charged for this service if they are so antisocial) - the next holidaymakers should not have to deal with another dog's doings, whether or not they have brought a dog of their own.

hopeishere · 17/03/2021 07:38

We will also connect the smart TV to our Netflix and Prime accounts (with PINs so people cannot make purchases but they can watch stuff).

Will people not just log you out and log themselves in?? I'd rather use my own account.

AmberRoseGold · 19/03/2021 10:48

If you are planning on buying more properties then I would also echo the requirements around walkability and access. We stay regularly in some isolated places but with instant access to running and walking paths. If looking for new holiday destinations I search for nearby pubs and at least a corner shop. Unless it is on a farm/beach and truly country side. A gorgeous house on an A road where I have to drive everywhere to get to anything will not tick my boxes. And I generally won’t rent somewhere without a bath. Whilst my husband wants a shower.

Lentillover1900 · 19/03/2021 11:46

We will not be putting in a Nespresso machine because other owners have told us that you then open yourself up to either complaints because you didn't provide the pods, or complaints that you didn't provide espresso/decaf/etc pods! But we have bought cafetieres in three different sizes and stove top Italian-style ones.

We will also connect the smart TV to our Netflix and Prime accounts (with PINs so people cannot make purchases but they can watch stuff).

  1. Definitely a coffee machine!! Just get some decaf and caf capsules.
It’s a treat for some. A necessity for others!
  1. Do t bother giving them prime details. Netflix and sky.
jessstan2 · 19/03/2021 11:52

Clean, comfortable, good beds, decent bathroom or bathrooms, small garden (barbecue), quiet, private, parking, washing machine and dishwasher, well equipped kitchen, near to beach, shops and cafes. Efficient heating (it does get cold sometimes).

(Mosaic, Norfolk is marvellous for holidays. We had many good cottage holidays there.)

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