Booking luxury cottages - where? Is there really anything on Airbnb?

[AbsentmindedWoman]

I'm just wondering where people book luxury short term cottages? Or maybe 'luxury' isn't quite the right word, but just somewhere really comfortable and decently equipped?

We're in an Airbnb and it's grand, will definitely be cosy and cheerful once we get the fire lit after going out and buying in quite a few bits I'd thought were kitchen basics. It's just not quite what I expected, again.

It looks very clean - but there was a very stale loaf of bread in the cupboard, and loads of half empty jars/ butter, and then used baking dishes with dirty tin foil in the oven. No washing up liquid or hand soap downstairs. A nearly empty hand soap upstairs. There are two saucepans, and no frying pan.

I just want somewhere really clean and well-equipped and comfortable so when we arrive and are exhausted but need to dive straight into work zoom meetings etc, everything is simple. I wouldn't have thought I'd have to go to the level of luxury for that, but it seems that might be the case. This had five stars on Airbnb.

Where do you book great self-catering accommodation nowadays?

There are lots of websites which specialise in UK cottages. Must admit, I'd never thought of using Airbnb. Probably true that you get more if you pay more?

I kind of thought Airbnb was the main platform for booking self catering places now though?

I used to book cottages years ago for Christmas (before Airbnb) and those sites just don't exist anymore. It feels like a lot of inventory is all on Airbnb now.

I'm in Ireland so perhaps the market is completely different but would have thought it might be similar enough!

Watching with interest ... we'd hoped to get a nice flat/apartment in Stratford upon Avon after Christmas which fitted that bill, I.e not fancy pants but as comfortable and well thought out as home IYSWIM? I'm at the stage in life where if I'm paying to stay somewhere and it's not comparable to my own home comfort/standards wise, it ain't happening!

Looked on Air BnB, jeez the prices

I’ve given up on holiday cottages now as most are pretty shabby and disappointing for the price.

Have gone with a couple of luxury hot tub style lodges for recent short breaks and the standard has been excellent.

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

Watching with interest ... we'd hoped to get a nice flat/apartment in Stratford upon Avon after Christmas which fitted that bill, I.e not fancy pants but as comfortable and well thought out as home IYSWIM? I'm at the stage in life where if I'm paying to stay somewhere and it's not comparable to my own home comfort/standards wise, it ain't happening!

Looked on Air BnB, jeez the prices

@tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz

Is this Stratford one any good for you? We’ve stayed in a different part of the building, which was smaller and cheaper; this one is very striking though, and it’s a handy location, with parking.

www.manorcottages.co.uk/cottage/Cotswolds-Warwickshire-Stratford-upon-Avon/3-Masons-Court-1014334.html

I.e not fancy pants but as comfortable and well thought out as home

Yes, this was exactly what we're after!

I mean, we were going to do an omelette for a quick dinner and now have no frying pan, of course it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but ffs

And once we start mulling some wine, we will have a sole saucepan left...

I've never used Air BnB - don't trust it at all.

I just google "cottages + county" and there's pretty much always a website like "www.countycottages.co.uk". Never had an issue and we've rented some absolutely stunning places.

Booking.com is also worth looking at. You can filter so it’s apartments or houses rather than hotels. And they if you find a nice one in the area you like, look them up directly.

I think you have to find the specific local company that does high end cottages, not a countrywide company - that way they’ve got much higher oversight.

We used Crabtree and Crabtree for a Scottish Borders holiday, for example, and rented a fab cottage.

Cool stays has some fab looking places?

I've used holidaycottages.co.uk twice this year, and was v happy (no, I'm not on commission from them!)

I google 'Luxury holiday cottage' or 'Luxury barn holiday cottage'. Sleeps X etc.
Or google 'Holiday cottage, sleeps X for the area you want, then order most expensive first and see if you fancy any of the first ones that come up.
We have had some excellent ones in recent years. Now always have to wade through discounting the hot tubs, but still some great places.

Yeah pp is right you have to find the specialist site(s) for the area you're staying in for the best high quality ones ime

I'd use the usual cottage booking websites like other posters have said pl the more general Accomodation sites

Airbnb is just a portal similar to say Ebay or etsy, there's no such thing as an “airbnb” as such. I'm maybe not expailning it very well but if you had a bad experience with an eBay seller you wouldn't never buy anything from eBay again would you ?

I also Google luxury+destination

Sawdays is good. Hidden Ireland and Ireland's Blue Book also good.

I'm also prepared to pay more. I want it to be as nice if not nicer than my own home!! I Google map / Google earth it and do the walk thingy to get a good view.

Yes, like @hopeishere , we aim for something more luxurious than our own homes.
One week a year, in this country, preferably with a view too. We pay up to around £2000 / £2,200 for 6 of us.
This is the view from bed in the summer 2019 cottage. Pen-y-fan.

Holidaycottages.Co.uk

Donnini apartments (Scotland)

VRBO

You need to read reviews. All holiday booking sites are a mixed bag!

I think a lot of the decent places use the specialist agencies as Airbnb has such a bad reputation now. Agree that booking.com can be useful and they don't have tonnes in any given area so it's worth a quick look through. But they're still not as "accountable"/open to feedback as a specific agency. Airbnb is a lot of sifting for often little reward: there is a lot of shit on there

Sowerbys for Norfolk; excellent quality control. Everywhere fabulous! In Burnham Market there's an even posher company with a stunning brochure.

We had a lovely family holiday this year (12 of us) at a gorgeous house with amazing garden and a pool via www.holidaycottages.co.uk

Booked another through the same place for next year :)

Premier cottages?

Wherever you book it will always vary depending on the owner.

I own 2 properties both on Air BnB. I provide soap, shower gel, loo paper, salt, pepper, oil, tea, coffee milk, fresh flowers and a cream tea! Mine are very clean and there would be no food leftover from previous guests in my cupboards!

You need to read reviews.

I spent a long time combing through reviews and dismissing places that didn't meet certain criteria.

Thank you for all these recommendations!