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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Being asked to strip beds in holiday cottage

380 replies

librarian55 · 09/03/2023 16:29

We have just returned from a long weekend in the Lake District which was organised by my DD. We stayed in a very nice cottage. The day before we left, the letting agent texted my DD asking us to leave the place clean and tidy (fair enough, we would do that anyway) but they also asked us to strip the beds. AIBU in thinking this was very cheeky? The cost of cleaning would be included in the rental price and since we were expected to vacate by 10am, we didn't have that much time in the morning. I know it doesn't take much time, but I go on holiday to get away from such chores.

OP posts:
KimberleyClark · 09/03/2023 16:31

I agree with you, I never strip the beds in holiday cottages.

PamelaDawes · 09/03/2023 16:33

I always strip the beds. We stay in cottages several times a year. Sometimes people ask and sometimes they don’t but I usually do it.

Candleabra · 09/03/2023 16:35

Post covid holidays = charge you more for additional cleaning, check in later, check out earlier, make you do more of the cleaning and chores yourself.

illiterato · 09/03/2023 16:35

When we rented a holiday home we specifically asked people not to do it as easier for the cleaners to keep all the sets together for the laundry. I think if it’s not specified at the outset, it shouldn’t be expected. My only ask was that they drag the relevant wheelie to the curb on a Thursday night but tbh we even gave up on that and just organised a private rubbish collection.

StreamingCervix · 09/03/2023 16:35

I agree with you op, particularly if it was booked on air bnb where they actually charge a supplementary cleaning fee.

mynewusername2023 · 09/03/2023 16:36

How long would it take to strip the beds though? My king size bed at home takes about 2 mins to strip, it's putting the fresh stuff back on that takes ages.

Bayleaf25 · 09/03/2023 16:37

I really hate this when I’ve paid to go away. I do it (begrudgingly) but don’t think it’s great customer service.

AnotherFuckingUsername · 09/03/2023 16:37

Always strip the beds when at a holiday cottage - whether asked to or not. Take a whole 3 minutes.

Iris1976 · 09/03/2023 16:39

I always strip beds as polite thing to do.

SimplySipping · 09/03/2023 16:40

I think this has become more usual since covid and is probably here to stay. We just do it these days.

davegrohll · 09/03/2023 16:40

I don't see the issue with stripping the beds to be honest and have done it before , it doesn't take long

BiggerBoat1 · 09/03/2023 16:42

I've always done it in a holiday cottage. Can't remember whether I've been asked to or not to be honest.

ThomasinaLivesHere · 09/03/2023 16:42

I agree. You pay to not have to do chores.

I guess the mattress gets a better airing than if cleaner does it as they’ll have short turn around but it’s not good to ask guests to do chores.

Hollyhocksandlarkspur · 09/03/2023 16:43

Don’t mind stripping beds, cleaning up, empty bins etc but why do they charge an extra cleaning fee as well when we are expected to leave these air bnbs ready for next person? What’s left for the cleaners to actually do? I find it annoying but friends we go away with are very strict about it🤣so we comply.

Elphame · 09/03/2023 16:43

I really don't care whether you do or not.

It makes my cleaners job a little quicker and easier for her but that's all. She doesn't mind either way either.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 09/03/2023 16:43

We own a rental and ask people to strip the beds, perfectly normal long before COVID, because we book alot of back to backs I always like to strip beds on the rare occasion we do self catering because it means every guest gets clean.

MiniDinosaur · 09/03/2023 16:44

I think it’s a strange request, as a pp said, it takes a couple of minutes, so isn’t going to save the cleaner much time. I resent having to do this when I have paid a cleaning fee, it kills the holiday vibe.

As an aside, I have had guests in my home who have stripped the bed at the end of their stay and I found that very odd.

Blueeyes13 · 09/03/2023 16:44

We went to the Lakes during half term. The owner of the cottage explained to us that they were still operating under COVID precautions as the infection rate was still high in the area. Due to this we were asked to strip our beds. We haven't had to before, and we go every year, but I was happy to do it.

gogohmm · 09/03/2023 16:45

I only strip them if there's no cleaning fee then begrudgingly. Generally I book hotels for this reason

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 09/03/2023 16:46

Even pre-COVID we always stripped the beds when staying in holiday cottages. It only takes a couple of minutes!

Overthebloodymoon · 09/03/2023 16:50

Surely this should be part of what you’re paying for?! Never do this at a hotel.

PuppyMonkey · 09/03/2023 16:51

I only strip them if I’m told to by the owner/rental company and I must admit I do it with a bit of a harrumph.

Always leave the place tidy, empty bins, empty the dishwasher etc, no probs. But there’s something about being expected to strip the duvets that makes me Hmm

UdoU · 09/03/2023 16:52

We did strip the beds in last cottage stay in Cornwall, but only because we were instructed too. I wouldn't do it off if not asked to, as the cleaning fee should cover it.

Gloriousgardener11 · 09/03/2023 16:52

I tend to strip beds but that's my decision.
I wouldn't be happy to be asked to do it especially as holiday cottages are ridiculously expensive now.
I think this is to habit kept on from COVID - just like not being able to see a GP !

Saucery · 09/03/2023 16:54

I’ve done it as long as I’ve been renting holiday cottages (about 30 years). Takes no time at all. It was for my benefit when DS was little, in case he’d left any socks or teddies in there Grin