Being asked to strip beds in holiday cottage

[librarian55]

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.

Thing is, it's nice to be nice. I never do it for the holiday let owners, I'm doing it for the cleaners who have an already tight turnaround (and who likely don't see much of the £ I've paid).

Plus, I'd feel odd expecting someone to handle my dirty laundry (hotels stays are different as normally only in the bed for a couple of nights).

It takes minutes. It's kind to do.

mydogisthebest I was not moaning about anything. I am simply curious as to what other people think. I pointed out the 10am leaving to illustrate that we didn't have a lot of time on the last morning.

Also, to all those who have said that it doesn't take long (something I also said in the original post anyway), you are missing the point. To me, it is like having a meal in a restaurant then being expected to clear the table and take the dirty dishes to the kitchen, nobody would ever think to do that and no restaurant would expect it.

I own a holiday let and I would never expect guests to strip their beds. COVID is being used as an excuse for all sorts of shoddy service. Recently stayed in a nice hotel the rooms are no longer automatically serviced you have to go to reception and ask. Likewise the coffees,sugar and biscuits have been removed and you have to again specifically ask for it. There is no need for this anymore it's just cost cutting and laziness. I am very happy to service my guests rooms and they are very happy to receive home baking and eggs.

Just stripping a bed in hardly "chores".

Me AND DH strip the bed. We will have done some cleaning the night before and then tidy round in the morning, do any washing up needed and clean the toilets.

We would not dream of just getting up and leaving and 10am is certainly not early

Also with the high cost of accommodation in the UK and with platforms like air BnB adding a cleaning charge I would not be stripping beds. I am on holiday and I have paid enough

When we stay in a hotel for more than 1 night we have never expected the room to be "serviced". We are perfectly capable of making our bed and certainly not so lazy we would expect someone else to.

I always strip beds, takes two seconds

@mydogisthebest funny how folk are so different,that's what I like about staying in a hotel you come back the bed is all made,the bins emptied and the room looks lovely.

You sound like a lovely owner.

This is the point isn’t it. People are paying lots of money for a holiday. Packing up on the last morning takes a while; cleaning surfaces, bathrooms, taking the bins out, unloading dishwasher etc. I don’t want anything else added to that morning. Stripping the beds has now gone from a ‘couple of minutes’ to ‘a few seconds’ it doesn’t take a few seconds to strip 3/4 beds.

We can all disagree but I would definitely put stripping the beds in with ‘chores’.

It’s a good analogy about the restaurant.. you pay for service - not to clear up afterwards.

It would only take a few seconds to clear the table and take it to the kitchen yourselves? Why don’t you do that too?

Exactly! Talk about missing the point!

I mean, if the standard of behaviour that @mydogisthebest considers to be normal in hotels really WAS normal, the classic complaint of parents everywhere "You treat this house like a hotel!" would make no sense 😂

I don't strip the bed in hotels but pull the duvet etc right back to the foot end of the bed. It's what my late Mum used to do when I was growing up so I guess I got the habit from her!! If we were staying further nights she would straighten the top layers (usually sheets and blankets in those days) leaving a top corner turned down - not actually making it though!!

But why would you expect someone else to make your bed? Either I or DH or both of us make our bed before we go out. It would not occur to us to go out and leave the bed unmade.

Also certainly do not needs bins emptied every day. What a waste of time for the cleaners

We always put all the crockery together and on the tray if we have one. Also make sure there are no crumbs on the table and wipe with a serviette any spills.

If there is one of those things that hold trays we take our tray to that (most people don't bother). If it's a small place we often ask the person behind the counter if they want us to bring our tray to them.

It annoys me when people leave their crockery and cutlery all over a table and all their crumbs etc. Often in places where you are meant to clear your own table like McDonalds or Pret so many lazy people don't.

@RampantIvy do you wash your glasses when you go to the pub for a drink. That really doesn't take long either. :)

I really don't get why people strip the beds at all. I had a holiday rental and I disliked it if people did this.

When the bedding is still in you can check for stains easily and sometimes they would dump it on the floor or mix the bedding up.

As for the PP who says she has a holiday home and doesn't want to see spunk stains on the sheets. Well if that's the worse you've seen! Lucky you!!

Another fucking weird mumsnet thread!

If it takes you an hour to strip a bed you need help.

Which is not good maths, you need to charge for a short break an amount that covers the break + cleaning. If 2 nights isn’t viable, make it 3 night minimum.

I'm not paying £1800 for a 3 bed cottage for a week and stripping beds and doing a big clean on my last day. I'll always leave the place tidy and respecfully quick cleaned etc, but I'll be prioritising having breakfast, getting ready, last minute packing and loading the car. Most places are arrive after 4pm, check out before 10am. 6 hours should give a couple of cleaners plenty of time.

But why would you expect someone else to make your bed?

Because I am paying them to do it for me?

I can honestly say that I have no problem whatsoever going out for the day and leaving an unmade bed behind me, be that at home or in a hotel. You're meant to let them air anyway!

Except in my experience the majority of people are late leaving a holiday place and the new arrivals are so often early and insistent on being able to get in.

The bed airs while we shower and dress. If we are having breakfast at the hotel that is also time it will be airing.

I think it is a complete waste of time for someone to have to go and make a bed just because the guest is too lazy to do it themselves. How long does it take to pull the duvet up, straighten the pillows?

We would never dream of just going out and leaving the bed unmade in a hotel. For me paying for a hotel room does not include someone having to make my bed every day, something I am perfectly capable of doing.

Well if it takes 2 seconds the cleaners can easily spend 2 seconds doing it, can’t they? The time argument is nonsensical on that basis.

If you pay for cleaning I would not expect to do more than a quick sweep and wipe down, rubbish in bins, dishes in the diswasher. I would not expect to strip beds. If it only takes two minutes of my time, it wont take the cleaning person any longer. But if asked, I would, not a deal-breaker - just not be too happy about it.

I would not put bedding/towels in the washing machine/dryer though - which I have seen requested. That would be a deal-breaker and I wouldnt book anywhere asking for that (also - anywhere expecting you to leave before 10, or arrive any later than 4).