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AIBU?

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Original poster

Dishwasher or washing machine in holiday let?

702 replies

dontdillydallytoolong · 21/02/2021 23:42

Hi. We are in the process of converting our annexe into a holiday let. There is one double bedroom and a smaller bedroom with bunk beds. There is space in the kitchen for either a washing machine or a dishwasher. Which would you prefer if you were staying? My husband is saying washing machine, but I am thinking dishwasher. Would like help to decide. Thanks.

YABU - washing machine
YANBU - dishwasher

OP posts:
Jeremyironseverything · 22/02/2021 00:21

I think I've only ever used a washing machine once on holiday. Dishwasher without a doubt.

Needmoresleep · 22/02/2021 00:21

We do holiday let’s, mainly to young families. We have both, but our good washer dryer with a good quick wash programme is often welcomed in comments. Small children get wet playing on the beach, they get muddy going for walks, babies have accidents. No way would I want to save it all up for when I got home.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2021 00:21

I hope the OP is finding all this helpful. Grin It doesn't seem very clear cut does it?

Missymare · 22/02/2021 00:22

Washing machine

GCAcademic · 22/02/2021 00:24

We do loads of laundry on holiday as we do a lot of walking and DH also goes off cycling. Muddy clothes and dog towels aplenty. We usually go away for a fortnight anyway, and I don’t want to pack that many clothes.

NoMackerelInSwindon · 22/02/2021 00:26

A quick geeky count up of the definitive answers is something like 2 to 1 in favour of a dishwasher.

Useful supplies paraphrased:

"You could find a laundrette for a mid-stay wash...."
"Can wash dishes by hand, but washing clothes by hand is a chore..."
"You can also take more clothes with you...."

But I was bemused by this:

"We camp a lot and its the washing up I hate most..." does this mean campers have some form of portable plug in dishwasher?

Personally, I am in favour of the clothes washer. Then the solution is to allow guests to bring a dog. For example, a Labrador. After meals just place the used crockery on the kitchen floor. Wait 10 minutes. Then just stack everything back in the dresser and away you go. Problem solved.

minniemoll · 22/02/2021 00:26

I won't stay anywhere without a dishwasher, but I've never used a washing machine in any of the many self-catering places I've stayed - I just take enough clothes for the week (actually usually far too many, the joy of being able to fling everything in my car instead of deciding which things to take...)

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel? Or stay in a caravan?

Lovely1a2b3c · 22/02/2021 00:27

Also we always do washing on holidays of more than a few days and find washing machines in holiday rentals really useful!

Literallynoidea · 22/02/2021 00:27

Washing machine no question. I would never rent a holiday house without one. Plus tumble dryer as it always pisses down if you dare to have a holiday in the UK.

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2021 00:29

No! No pets. Ewww.

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel? Or stay in a caravan?

Hotels generally have a laundry service, so you can get it done. I don't do caravans any more due to a previous bad experience in about 2007 and I said never again. Sad

wellthatsunusual · 22/02/2021 00:29

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel? Or stay in a caravan?

I've only ever stayed in a hotel for a maximum of two nights, precisely because I worry about needing to wash clothes and having nowhere to do it.

At a caravan, I use the laundry facilities. Have only stayed in one abroad though, where it was hot and the clothes dried in minutes.

Bumblebee1980a · 22/02/2021 00:30

Washing machine if holiday property is aimed for families with young children.

We had two weeks in a uk holiday let and we needed to use the washing machine plenty of times for my DS.

He got filthy from forest walls and the beach.

We do love a dishwasher though but that isn't a necessity.

DenisetheMenace · 22/02/2021 00:30

Dishwasher. We take enough clothes, don’t want to be washing up on holiday.

DianaT1969 · 22/02/2021 00:30

What's the point of a washing machine without a dryer? Who wants wet washing hanging around on holiday? Unless you're going to have a washer/dryer, but I don't think they are as robust as single use machines.
Definitely a dish washer. Could you add a bike shed type storage unit to the side exterior containing a washing machine and dryer?

SwedishEdith · 22/02/2021 00:31

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel? Or stay in a caravan?

I would have thought most people choose self-catering precisely to avoid staying in hotels for long holidays.

BasiliskStare · 22/02/2021 00:33

Honestly - unless your let is very cheap or in a very over subscribed area I'd want both but if one - dishwasher. & If you are on site - you could offer to put a wash through for guests as a previous poster said. Could you get a slimline dishwasher in and a washer dryer ( perhaps with more cupboards / shelves etc else where for glasses / plates etc. ) . I do think most people would like both .

GCAcademic · 22/02/2021 00:34

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel?

I use the laundry service.

tobee · 22/02/2021 00:34

Dishwasher.

LondonStone · 22/02/2021 00:34

Dishwasher. 100%

People might personally want/need a washing machine when they stay but it has no effect on the next guest.

Turning up to dirty/badly washed mugs or plates with food still stuck to bottom will leave a horrible impression on guests. Trust me, a lot of people do not wash dishes well, especially in holiday homes. I’ve often had to rewash forks with food still stuck in them and it’s grim.

ItsDinah · 22/02/2021 00:35

You can get countertop dishwashers if space is a problem. 64% of Households with two adults and two children now own a dishwasher. I would guess if they're well off enough to rent the property,they'll want a dishwasher and a washing machine.

viques · 22/02/2021 00:35

@OllyBJolly

Dishwasher!

If you don’t then some manky bugger won’t wash the plates and glasses properly and they’ll be sticky and greasy. Yeeuch.

(Although I always make sure there is a dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and full cooking facilities when I book holiday lets)

Oh yes, the badly washed cups. Boak. Agree with the furniture too, in my early days of cottage renting we stayed in a place with Formica topped tables ,creaky cane sofas and weird floral curtains with frills. And no, it wasn’t trying to be retro. Lesson learned.

[Incidentally was also the place infested with plug-in air fresheners, we found about six of them but knew there was another one, somewhere. Eventually tracked it down to a random plug in the cupboard under the stairs]

Sparklingbrook · 22/02/2021 00:36

I have never been to a holiday let that had grubby cutlery/plates etc. Would the cleaners not check on things like that?

Bumblebee1980a · 22/02/2021 00:36

How do folk manage if they go to a hotel? Or stay in a caravan?

Use the hotel laundry service. Also our mobile home has a washing machine - I though caravans did too.

RedcurrantPuff · 22/02/2021 00:36

@ManxRhyme

Dishwasher!! Dishes need done daily, easy enough to pack a week's worth of clothes and if you haven't got a dryer the clothes washing is a pain on holiday anyway so best avoided.
This

Or we will find a launderette that does a service wash and use that.

AlwaysLatte · 22/02/2021 00:38

Washing machine. I don't mind washing dishes by hand for a week or two but not clothes, especially if I had a baby in reusables - plus extras like swimming gear/towels if near the sea.