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Original poster

Self catering welcome pack - yes or no?

201 replies

Malteser71 · 09/05/2021 22:50

So I’m wondering about our holiday let in Cornwall and ether it’s worth continuing to provide a ‘welcome pack’ of goodies.

It generally costs us about £15 per changeover. We include tea/coffee/milk/sugar/biscuits and crisps.

Thing is, when I’m a guest myself, I dont drink tea and I don’t take sugar. Lots of people have food allergies/intolerances.

What do you all think? Do you appreciate these welcome gifts on arrival? What goods do you like ?

OP posts:
FrancesFlute · 10/05/2021 17:20

The only thing I would personally appreciate would be milk and nice biscuits. I always take my own tea and coffee as we know what we like and they don't take up much room in packing. If we get one I'd hate the thought of the waste.
That said, an optional pack might be a good idea if it works through your agency?

Allgirlskidsanddogs · 10/05/2021 17:28

I’d rather have a cheaper holiday! I find a welcome pack is a lovely idea but really not much of it is used, either I’ve already bought it or it’s something we wouldn’t use.

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 10/05/2021 17:28

I’ll bet there’s some health and safety rule that says tea bags must be sealed

Particularly since Covid. I don't think many people would be happy using opened packets.

I housekeep for a 7 person house and provide 1l of local semi skimmed milk, 40 tea bags and small pack of filter coffee (both from a regional supplier) plus a pack of local biscuits. I got sugar sticks so we're not wasting 2lb of sugar with a few teaspoons removed each time.

All costs about £8.

To be honest, it's an expensive house in high season and I think it makes guests feel they've been thought about in a small way.
Sometimes the tea and coffee is unopened, so I leave it for the next people.

loulouljh · 10/05/2021 17:30

It is always nice when you arrive to find some basics plus home made cake! I cannot think of any holiday home I have been to without one to be honest..

Bleddyansum · 10/05/2021 17:31

Spices??!!

2 people just on this page expect them!

What ones do you prefer, fresh in pots, or dried and out of date.

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 10/05/2021 17:37

it is always nice when you arrive to find some basics plus home made cake!

I think so too but from memory, many people on MN believe that to be an outrageous health hazard.

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 17:55

The people who want 'spices, home made cake, coffee, tea, milk, wine, perhaps some fresh flowers' etc do know they are being completely ripped off by it?

If you want to 'feel welcome' and have money to spare fine, but your 'hosts' are marking up, the agency is marking up and the housekeeper taking her cut. Mark my words.

Just organise a delivery/bring your things with you and get the good deal! Or stay in a hotel.

People are so particular, it is all such a waste for a self catering holiday.

SwimBaby · 10/05/2021 17:58

I’d do either just enough for a cuppa while you’re unpacking like hotel supplies or nothing. Personally I’d love a welcome pack but judging from the answers the opinion is very mixed.

DinosApple · 10/05/2021 18:03

We always stay in self catering when we go away. Usually 3 hours plus away, but sometimes a lot more.

Standard welcome pack to me would be: A pint of semi skimmed, tea, coffee and nice biscuits/posh crisps. We'd be chuffed with that tbh.

An awesome welcome pack would be: A pint of milk, tea, coffee and a homemade cake, eggs, jam, butter and bread.

Obviously some people wouldn't eat or drink those things, but if it's there it shows you are welcoming. If they want to leave it that's their choice.

I'd be pleased to find salt, pepper, oil, bin bags, antibac spray, tin foil, cling film, kitchen roll, toilet paper for each toilet plus a spare (more if possible), dishwasher tablets for the stay/washing up liquid, soap for each sink. The trouble is you never know sort of place you're staying in until you're there so I invariably end up taking it all!

IEat · 10/05/2021 18:11

I like a quick cuppa on arrival and a cheeky biscuit before I head out to explore the local shop for food . I also like a mug not a tea cup

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 18:17

But the people who want 'a quick cuppa and a posh biscuit' do realise that many people are alergic/have dietry problems/can't drink milk/only drink XYZ milk'... it goes on and on.

YOU may like it, many other don't. Many others have DC's and expect something for them, while they have 'their quick cuppa'

Why would you expect oil to be provided? It is so odd! What are you cooking with this oil? Where is that? You have too buy it so buy the oil, surely?

newnortherner111 · 10/05/2021 18:21

I think it should contain those things which you would like or even need immediately without a trip to local shops. Which guests may not know the location of, and indeed townies may be used to shops open all hours which is not the case in many rural areas.

So milk, maybe tea or coffee, not sure about much else.

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 10/05/2021 18:26

If you want to 'feel welcome' and have money to spare fine, but your 'hosts' are marking up, the agency is marking up and the housekeeper taking her cut. Mark my words

I'm a house keeper who buys tea, biscuits etc. I provide a receipt and am reimbursed accordingly. I don't take a cut.

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 18:28

@PennineWayinSlingbacks

If you want to 'feel welcome' and have money to spare fine, but your 'hosts' are marking up, the agency is marking up and the housekeeper taking her cut. Mark my words

I'm a house keeper who buys tea, biscuits etc. I provide a receipt and am reimbursed accordingly. I don't take a cut.

You don't. but quotes on this thread (and in my experience) show that that it is expected and more importantly, totally reasonable. Are you working for free?

No, you are doing a job.

DIshedUp · 10/05/2021 18:28

@BillieSpain I don't want to make my own cake, or buy my own flowers, its just a nice little surprise when I get there. If I wanted to do everything myself I'd just stay home. Its bizarre you think you'd be any less 'ripped off' in a hotel

This whole thread is so Op can garner opinions on what people like. It would be a bit pointless for posters not to then say what they like

Advice54321 · 10/05/2021 18:31

I’ve just got back from an air bnb stay in Cornwall and we really appreciated the tea, coffee, milk, sugar and biscuits. I don’t think you need crisps.

One thing that we really noticed was missing was salt & pepper!

MotherPiglet · 10/05/2021 18:32

I always appreciate a welcome pack and find it's a nice touch but I wouldn't mind if one wasnt provided.

Original poster
Malteser71 · 10/05/2021 18:33

I think I’ll just ribbon up three toilet rolls....

OP posts:
PennineWayinSlingbacks · 10/05/2021 18:33

Are you working for free?

No, I pick it up from the village shop between my house and the cottage. I get fairly paid for my efforts and have a good relationship with the owner; I see it as part of my role to prepare the house for guests.

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 18:34

But she has tight margins and a very high changeover cost and I am giving her my experience, along with others. What people expect.

Nobody wants the same things. If she is hiring a housekeeper and we live in COVID restricted times a home made cake for your average rental, self catering, this expectation is not really helping matters is it?

I do not think you would be ripped off in a n hotel. This is what you pay for. Self catering is just that. Don't push the cost up. You will be paying for the flowers and cake. You will.

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 18:36

@PennineWayinSlingbacks

Are you working for free?

No, I pick it up from the village shop between my house and the cottage. I get fairly paid for my efforts and have a good relationship with the owner; I see it as part of my role to prepare the house for guests.

I'm pleased for you and your employers.
DuesToTheDirt · 10/05/2021 18:37

I like a welcome pack but would rather have a bit of something special (biscuits, bread or something, especially if local).

I'm of the camp that likes a few basics left in the cupboards from previous visitors - salt, tea, coffee etc., rather than in a welcome pack.

PennineWayinSlingbacks · 10/05/2021 18:43

I'm pleased for you and your employers

And, as I assume you're not being sarcastic, I'm delighted you approve of my arrangements.

BillieSpain · 10/05/2021 18:48

@PennineWayinSlingbacks

I'm pleased for you and your employers

And, as I assume you're not being sarcastic, I'm delighted you approve of my arrangements.

Of course I am not being sarcastic. Good changeover managers/housekeepers are like hens teeth and worth their weight in gold.

It sounds like you are not using an agency between you and your employer, trust is involved ad that is key. You are loyal and reliable, obviously.

Once there is an agency they mark up and up and up. I am commenting as I thought I could give my experience. Everyones experience is different.

Your employers ARE lucky. I ended up cleaning and doing the laundry and bookings myself.

Kazzyhoward · 10/05/2021 18:51

@DuesToTheDirt

I like a welcome pack but would rather have a bit of something special (biscuits, bread or something, especially if local).

I'm of the camp that likes a few basics left in the cupboards from previous visitors - salt, tea, coffee etc., rather than in a welcome pack.

Trouble is that you really don't know whether half used packs etc are in date or have been swept off the floor. We've stayed in homes where the cupboards have had lots of things left in them, mostly they're out of date and have been there for years. I'd consider using something unopened that was within date, but anything opened I just put to the back/top of the cupboard and leave it for the next occupant.