To think self-catering places should ditch these Covid era things?

[Rainallnight]

We are staying in a (pricey) self catering cottage for half term.

we are required to strip our beds and put the linen into laundry bags before leaving. I don’t want to do this. I’m on holiday.

And check in wasn’t until 5pm for ‘extra cleaning’.

Two plus years of Covid have taught us hat it’s an airborne virus so opening the windows is the best thing you can do.

These other measures are unnecessary and are now there for the letting companies’ convenience rather than infection control.

It is driving me mad. AIBU?

Putting some linens into a laundry bag isn't driving you mad, nor is checking in at 5pm - this is a normal time.

I think you're looking to be annoyed tbh.

100%. It's just an excuse to introduce policies that suit the business but not the customer.

I'm currently annoyed that Specsavers won't allow me to choose a new pair of frames without a mask on. I've got no problem wearing one for the eye exam but it's not on to expect a customer to spend £150 without being able to see what the glasses look like because their face is covered.

I’m not looking to be annoyed. I find it annoying. I don’t want to have to strip beds when I’m checking out.

And 5pm was never a normal time pre-Covid.

Since when is 5pm normal? That's stupidly late even with 'covid measures'. We have 2 small children and 5pm would be a pain in the arse for us to get in and unloaded and then them fed, cleaned up and in bed for a decent time.

YANBU. Everything else has (almost) gone back to normal, it’s just an excuse for them to provide shitty service at this point

Accommodation in my area tends to be check in from 4pm or 5pm. Since Brexit staffing levels have been hit hard and with less staff changeovers obviously take longer. See also holidaymakers being asked to do a little more to help make their job a bit easier and quicker.

Please try to enjoy your expensive holiday and think yourself lucky.

Yeah the 5pm check-in would piss me off. I assume they've kept it simply because it's easier for them to have more time between bookings.

Stripping the beds, I can't get that worked up about though. It doesn't take long. And from what I've read most of MN used to strip their beds in holiday lets even before Covid.

YANBU. We had a U.K. holiday stay a month ago and there was no stripping of own beds. Check in I guess it is what they say when you book and you take it or leave it, whatever their reasons are. I was the most cautious person during covid and would find having to strip my own bed strange now on holiday.

That’s exactly how I feel.

I am no Covid denier - far from it, I was really obedient about the rules, even at huge personal cost. But at this stage of the game, everyone knows you’re not going to catch Covid from a duvet cover.

100% this. Write a review summing up what you've said here. These lazy places will soon need to change as people will vote with their feet.

I'm with you, OP. It isn't necessary - they could offer a deep clean as an extra with extra time for anyone who wants it. Most people touch things touched by other people every day and as you say, it isn't how covid spreads anyway. And it eats into the first and last day.

@FairyCakeSprinkles I went into spec savers today to look for sunglasses and was very surprised to be allowed to try everything on again. And no mask either

It doesn’t seem to be all letting companies that are still doing this thankfully. 2k accommodation for 10 nights in Cornwall, I point blank refuse to do this and pay this price so we chose a Scottish letting agent that seem to have more sense. 2pm check in and no unnecessary covid rules, plus it was over a grand cheaper!

Yanbu drives me crazy too.

"Because Covid" drives me mad.

Stripping linen doesn't take much effort but I still view it as something that I shouldn't have to do when paying for proper accommodation. In a Youth Hostel, fine (at £25 per night I'm more flexible) but otherwise I go on holiday to escape the chores.

It’s usually 2pm check in, check out 10/11am. No stripping the beds.
I stayed at an Airbnb that I paid over £1,200 for a week. I am not stripping the beds. I left it. Bloody cheek!

A bit similar - I am wondering when the perspex screens between guests on Have I got News for you - and other TV shows - will vanish?

This literally depends on what rules the branch director has set for that particular branch. Or at least that’s how it was suggested by a sign in our local specsavers waiting area. It’s all still crazy though.

Agree, we have been going to the same place for over 30 years and check out last day was always 10/1030. It is now before 9. Trying to get my nearly 91 year old gran ready and sorted at this time is so stressful for her. She is old and slow and takes time coming to in the mornings. Having to force her to shovel down breakfast and not be able to enjoy a cup of tea even is just a bad way to end a holiday.

YABU. If you don't like the conditions - stay somewhere else.

Easy.

We checked into self catering recently and out time slot was 2-3pm. It could have been earlier or later.
It is also pretty normal to have to put your linen into bags too.
We have also always checked out at 10.
Nothing to do with Covid at all.
The only difference we saw was a tape over the door of our accommodation to prove no one had been in there since cleaning.. and being given some wet wipes.

Well book somewhere else. I've been living pretty normally the entire time and not come across these things so sure you can also manage to avoid them. Stayed in premier inn throughout covid as I was traveling to see family, and nothing like this occurred. Been on a few UK hols very recently, nothing like this. You seem to have chosen a place that wants to do this stuff and I'd avoid places like that just as I avoid people who do.

Vision express let me take my mask off last year when asks were actually still required.

I would not strip the beds, it is part of the service they should provide. YANBU.