What standards do you expect from your holiday accommodation?

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We're just back from a lovely holiday, staying at a few different Airbnbs. Overall everything was great. However, more than one place had a stained towel (other towels available so we didn't use it, but still) only two/ three pillows on the bed for two people, a noticeable amount of dead wasps scattered about the house, lots of little things that I was a bit surprised about. All of these places had very good reviews - and overall, they were great places to stay.

What standards do you expect on holiday? How do you guarantee places have home comforts, such as enough pillows?!

AIBU?

After 30 plus years of staying in holiday cottages at least once a year, my bar is set quite high.

To avoid disappointment I read as many reviews as I can get my hands on, scrutinise every photo in detail and my husband gets out google maps and does an area search. Might sound obsessive, but we haven't been disappointed with accommodation for years now. Yes, booking our holiday is time consuming and like a military operation, but a holiday is too precious and too expensive to get wrong.

I look for all the things that have caught us out in the past - does it have a decent coffee table in the lounge, hanging space/wardrobe in the bedrooms and is it next door to a noisy pub, etc.

All that probably sounds OTT, but some of the places we stayed in 20 years ago made me want to cry. I'm prepared to do a lot to prevent that horrible sinking feeling.

@knittingaddict. I do this too. .In fact I think I enjoy looking and researching the holiday more than than going on the holiday!

The worst one we stayed in had bits of food on the dining chairs in the kitchen, a grill tray full of congealed fat, debris on the sofa (it was an old house and crumbling away apparently) and stained towels. I rang up the caretaker as soon as all this became obvious.

I actually took down and hid a wall hanging that was in the bedroom in that holiday cottage too. It was bloody hideous and had to go. Put it back before we left obviously.

Ever since the "very expensive, but ridiculously marshmallowy pillow" holiday, I take my own pillow too. I really needed my own duvet on that one too. The bedding was gorgeous (for winter months) but it was summer and we roasted under a cloud of down and feathers.

Name changed for this!

We have a holiday let, we have the highest standards and get fabulous reviews!

I echo though, we are totally reliant on our current fabulous cleaners. We don't live near the property.

Prior to this we had poor cleaners for a very short while and it was a nightmare. I ended up having to take Fridays off work to inspect before more people moved in.

We were told use

1. The best beds affordable
2. The best linen affordable
3. The best garden furniture affordable

We also listen to reviews and for example someone in the early days sad we needed more crockery, so we got some.

We are also very well equipped,

@knittingaddict I wonder if we'd meet your standard?

Interesting!

Also, we don't do welcome packs.

Never been an issue or mentioned, didn't realise these were so enjoyed.

What do you expect?

We have a supply of tea /coffee (instant and pods for the machine), sugar.

We don't leave milk.

We leave washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets.

Clean
Different from my normal day to day accommodation
No noise at night

@Dostayhere

Also, we don't do welcome packs.

Never been an issue or mentioned, didn't realise these were so enjoyed.

What do you expect?

We have a supply of tea /coffee (instant and pods for the machine), sugar.

We don't leave milk.

We leave washing up liquid and dishwasher tablets.

I definitely expect milk.

Scones/cake, biscuits, juice, jam clotted cream, tea and coffee is pretty standard I think. This summers had Prosecco, gorgeous sourdough, butter, jam and cake

Scones/cake, biscuits, juice, jam clotted cream, tea and coffee is pretty standard I think. This summers had Prosecco, gorgeous sourdough, butter, jam and cake

Personally never been to a cottage with all that!

Who do you book through? Or is it direct? I'd be interested in their letting prices.

We have stayed in umpteen self-catering properties through Airbnb, Cottages for You, independent, all over the UK and overseas too.

We only ever book 4 or 5 star accommodation. When browsing, immediately discount anything which doesn't have LOADS of photos. Decor has to be modern and the place has to look well-maintained. Has to have a washing machine and dishwasher. Basically, it has to be as nice as home, or better.

I would expect milk in the fridge, the place we stayed in the summer left a bottle of champagne on the kitchen table and Magnums in the freezer for the kids. I would expect enough dishwasher tablets for 1 per day, few washing pods too, although I always take my own. "Welcome packs" vary, the very best was a place in Northern Ireland where we had bread, cheese, ham. biscuits, home made cake, fruit - enough for a full lunch.

I think it depends on your budget really. I prefer to hire out mansions or mini-mansions for family holidays with more rooms than we nees because I like having a pool and huge garden etc. And they tend to be great. Studio or 1 bed flats in cities that are aimed at commuters also tend to be amazing. It’s everything in between that can be hit and miss lol.

@Dostayhere

Scones/cake, biscuits, juice, jam clotted cream, tea and coffee is pretty standard I think. This summers had Prosecco, gorgeous sourdough, butter, jam and cake

Personally never been to a cottage with all that!

Who do you book through? Or is it direct? I'd be interested in their letting prices.

We book direct. I think the summer was just under £2k for a week.