What would you expect to find/love to find in a holiday let?

[lifesabitchandthenyoudie]

We want to set up a small cottage quite near a beach, about mid-range. We want to make it friendly and homely, a nice space to 'get away from it all'. What are your essentials in a holiday let? What would you like to see more of? What small extra things would give you that 'special' feeling? Thanks!

Agreed about bigger towels. We're in a cottage at the moment - DH and I were given a bath sheet each in the double room, but 6ft 16-year-old DS in the twin room was given one poxy little towel. We've swapped but now muggins has a tiny towel 🙄

Milk and teabags on arrival please! A clothes horse, and if there's an outdoor line, more than three pegs. A hand towel and clean sponge for the kitchen, and a decent knife. I had to cut potatoes with a blunt bread knife this evening.

A bird feeder near the garden/outdoor seating area is a nice touch; how lovely to sit and watch them in the morning or evening. And a pack of bird seed.

Agree that uncluttered is best. I'd rather do without something than be tripping over the normal household load of stuff. Part of the charm of a holiday is the streamlining of everyday life.

For the welcome pack, definitely include some booze. And maybe also sealed items like a small pack of nuts, or pringles, and some cheese/crackers. I find no matter how hungry I am, cheese and crackers will satisfy me enough to make it through the night. And most people (other than vegan) can manage on it.

Make the welcome pack optional for a higher charge, if need be; the convenience is worth it.

A decent sized fridge! We once stayed in a beautiful cottage and I did on online shop for delivery the day we arrived. There were 6 of us - all adults - and the place had 2 tiny fridges. It was very hot but we couldn't fit in all the food, milk, fruit juice, wine. Meant I had to shop every day or two which was really frustrating.

Also, please NO scatter cushions on furniture and beds. They're such a pain and just get dumped on the floor. And obviously aren't going to get washed between each stay.

Also, don't stint on essentials. Providing more than 1 loo roll, 1 dishwasher tab, tiny guest soap etc isn't going to eat into your profits that much.

Similarly, providing a bottle of wine, cake, tea bags etc is a nice touch and isn't going to break the bank.

Question for everyone saying milk.

How would you feel if the milk was frozen? I don't mean an entire pint I mean in a closed ice cube trail, so you make your tea and then add a milk cube.

@Mommybunny

Yes you need a liquor license to leave alcohol and you need to register as a catering business and get a food hygiene rating from your local council to leave food, even pre packed stuff.

For alcohol licenses the property needs to be licensed and you need to have a personal license holder. To be a personal license holder you need to complete a level 2 qualification. Which all costs money and time and there's annual fees etc. even if you're not charging for the alcohol.

Frozen milk tastes horrible. Sorry.

Thanks.

I was just wondering as I don't drink it, it tastes and smells rank to me at the best of times.

I find this a bit hilarious- like the PP who requested full fat coke because that's what she personally drinks for breakfast - surely if you have such specific requirements you take it with you??

I've just come back from a stay in a ground floor flat on the coast. It was lovely - clean and very well equipped. The only thing missing (for me) was a tea pot. I know lots of people don't use them, but I always do at home.