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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:
RampantIvy · 09/03/2023 17:59

Goodness! Some posters are really making a meal of stripping a bed. It only takes a couple of minutes.

HolidayLetter · 09/03/2023 18:00

I neither ask nor expect guests to do this. They are on holiday! If they choose to do it, that's a bonus for me - but not remotely an expectation.

saveforthat · 09/03/2023 18:01

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!

If it only takes a few minutes it won't save the cleaner much time. I never do this, I don't do chores on holiday.

Badger1970 · 09/03/2023 18:01

We're going away next week, and I've just had a long email from the company we've booked through. Can't check in until after 5pm (which is a complete waste of a Saturday), need to vacate by 9am on last day and we need to empty dishwasher not leave loaded and washing, empty all bins, hoover and strip the beds/put all towels and bedding in laundry bags and leave outside. And the fuckers have charged an extra £50 for cleaning as we are taking the dogs.

I feel like telling them where to shove their email, frankly.

MrsTerryPratchett · 09/03/2023 18:01

Why is it always two minutes? It's not, BTW. But why?

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 09/03/2023 18:01

I agree op. The whole point in going away is to get away from chores!

Frozendaquiri · 09/03/2023 18:02

Badger1970 · 09/03/2023 18:01

We're going away next week, and I've just had a long email from the company we've booked through. Can't check in until after 5pm (which is a complete waste of a Saturday), need to vacate by 9am on last day and we need to empty dishwasher not leave loaded and washing, empty all bins, hoover and strip the beds/put all towels and bedding in laundry bags and leave outside. And the fuckers have charged an extra £50 for cleaning as we are taking the dogs.

I feel like telling them where to shove their email, frankly.

Just don't do it. These people are so cheeky I don't know how they manage to stay in business

WhyIsBogdanSexy · 09/03/2023 18:02

This wouldn't bother me in the slightest, I think it's a totally normal request. Don't think it's a COVID thing as it's always been the case as far as I can remember?

Can't believe how het up some people are over it 🤯

Itcouldhappenabishop · 09/03/2023 18:04

I don't believe Covid is spread by bedsheets? If they were that worried they could advise the cleaning staff to wear masks and wash their hands after touching the sheets? It sounds a bit like a shite excuse to me.

nc1013 · 09/03/2023 18:04

For all the people saying how quick & easy it is, only takes 3 mins etc.....That's exactly why it shouldn't be a big deal for the cleaners/owners to do it themselves. If it's so easy why are they so keen to ask guests to do it?

Blossomtoes · 09/03/2023 18:04

I don't know how they manage to stay in business

Try reading the thread. Lots of us don’t mind in the slightest.

WhyIsBogdanSexy · 09/03/2023 18:04

I wish I didn't 'do chores' on holiday but shopping, cooking, washing up, sometimes laundry, cleaning kitchen surfaces all need to be done and my one year old has barely got the hang of the cooker so far

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 09/03/2023 18:05

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.

So I wonder why they ask guests to do it?

Purplehyena · 09/03/2023 18:06

It is a pretty standard request in my experience, I always do and I remember we did on holidays as a child so it’s certainly not just a ‘covid thing’.

Skodacool · 09/03/2023 18:06

This started during covid restrictions. We were asked to strip sheets and duvet covers and put them in a bag. I think it was a result of the suspicion that the virus could be spread by bedding. Where we stay the request has continued.

ChrisPPancake · 09/03/2023 18:06

I've always done this. Doesn't take long.

maranella · 09/03/2023 18:07

It puts me off going to holiday cottages in the UK tbh. I go away to get out of doing chores AND everywhere I've ever stayed charges a cleaning fee, so all the piss-taking asking guests to do chores that's come about since the start of the pandemic really annoys me. If you rent out your holiday cottage and charge for cleaning, then you or your cleaner do the cleaning. I don't mind putting out the rubbish, but if wanted to strip beds and mop floors I'd have stayed at home.

Rewind20Years · 09/03/2023 18:07

Always strip the beds
Make sure its clean and tidy
Washing up done, rubbish put in black sacks etc

Why wouldnt you? Surely people keep it tidy as they go during there stay?

MysteryBelle · 09/03/2023 18:08

Terrible customer service. It’s not the paying guest’s job to strip the beds, just to leave the place in general tidiness (not complete and total state of perfection, because that’s the owner’s job to get place ready for next paying guest).

I did read somewhere that it is good manners to strip bed and leave the sheets in a pile on the floor when you stay at a friend’s house. I think that is a little weird. Make the bed neatly and the owner of house will strip the bed and wash the sheets. Now if it’s a long visit of course help with changing and washing the sheets. But not in paid vacation accommodation.

Courgeon · 09/03/2023 18:08

We've stayed in loads of holiday accommodation in the UK and it's rarely worth the prices they charge. Often dank and gloomy, outdated furnishings, old fashioned bathrooms. A couple have been ok but they're in the minority. It's why I book static caravans now, I think they're better value for money! I hate it when owners ask this and and expect you out by 10.00am. I have ADHD the the anticipated overwhelm of it ruins the last day of the holiday. I have friends who book 2 weeks in the lake District each year and spend the last day in a frenzy of packing and cleaning. Not for me. I'm paying for a break.

IsItThough · 09/03/2023 18:08

I don't mind stripping the beds/putting the trash out and washing up - it isnt a hotel after all.

I expect the cost to reflect my having done this.

The bit I think has started to get daft is increasingly early check outs. 10 is sharp - have even seen some at 9! 11 is more reasonable.

Tessabelle74 · 09/03/2023 18:09

I strip the beds wherever we stay, premier Inn down to caravans. Housekeepers have a hard time getting the rooms to a decent standard in the time allotted so I see no problem helping them out a bit

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 09/03/2023 18:09

I don't strip the beds in my own house! (cleaner does it). No way am I doing it when I've paid to stay somewhere.

WhereIsMumHiding3 · 09/03/2023 18:11

I strip the beds when I leave anywhere

But you're right , I'm disabled and have children so ready if I was paying enough I wouldn't expect to have to

Twiglets1 · 09/03/2023 18:11

NeverApologiseNeverExplain · 09/03/2023 18:09

I don't strip the beds in my own house! (cleaner does it). No way am I doing it when I've paid to stay somewhere.

😂(& you never apologise, never explain)

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