Why don't holiday cottage companies do these things? AIBU?

[TheStroppyFeminist]

I have been searching for a holiday cottage for next year and so far haven't found the right one but FGS, why don't cottage companies:

1. Show you a floor plan? I want to see where each bedroom is in relation to other bedrooms because of snoring etc
2. Show you the bathrooms properly? I want a huge walk in shower and I want a separate attachment as well but you can hardly ever see whether there is one
3. Insist on a 10am checkout and a 4pm or later check in? It's annoying and we sometimes leave the day before to avoid getting up early

I also won't empty bins or strip beds, I'm on holiday! AIBU? What are your self catering hates?

YABU, understandable, they CBA
YANBU, they really should provide this info

In all honesty I think you should shell out to pay cleaners /staff and give yourselves a break! You can still control the standard of cleaning if you train your cleaners well.

One of the places we go back to time after time has a manager who oversees the small complex of cottages (very small.) There is a gardener, a groundsman to do running repairs /DIY chap, and a small army of cleaners who do the other stuff.

Your bathroom requirements are pretty esoteric. How often are they actually met?

Just in case it is helpful to anybody.

They don't tend to be modern, but it might be worth checking National Trust properties. They all seem to include floor plans and an "accessibility guide", which has details such as seat and bed heights, door widths descriptions of bathrooms and plenty of photos. They are especially good if they are next door to an NT house and garden.

No need to strip beds and there is a late check at some places (but it is normally 10am).

One of the greatest things that you have these days is key boxes! No more being embarrassed because there's a terrible holdup by Stonehenge (fill in other black spot of choice) and you're 5 hours late and the owner keeps ringing for updates

My favourite one was the property with a 9.30am checkout and an instruction to run the dishwasher on the Eco setting only (it took over 2.5 hours) and asked that you leave it unloaded.

So essentially you couldn't use the dishwasher on your last day unless you were prepared to be up and done with your breakfast by about 6.50am.

I need a wee in the night so need an en suite.

I don’t have any en-suites in my actual house. what do you think happens when someone needs a wee in the night?

Not sure where many of you are booking through. I’ve never rented a house without a floor plan and the descriptions are always pretty detailed. I also don’t strip beds or empty the dishwasher before I leave but I do switch it on, do all the other washing up and empty the bins.

The reason for bare minimum kitchen equipment, etc is that people pinch stuff, all the time. I now take a box with a few bits in as standard that includes tea towels and dishcloths, sharp knives and a decent chopping board, bottle opener, dishwasher tablets, basic seasonings and oils.

A walk in shower that's also en suite is esoteric?

It's pretty common to find such things.

My hotel (and self catering) bugbears are

Bedside lights - you need two for a double bed and they need to be able to operate independently and not be brighter than the sun or so dingy that you can't see anything

Mirrors - you need to have a mirror which isn't in a bathroom that has a plug somewhere near it for hair drying. It is amazing how often this isn't the case, I take an extension lead with me usually!

Rainforest shower only with no bath cap provided - I do not want to wash my hair every time I have a shower.

Crap knives with no sharpener

I totally agree about the dog thing, we went to a holiday cottage once which marketed itself as dog friendly, when we got there it transpired that dogs were only allowed in the downstairs hallway (and there was no way of keeping them there! So I called them and informed them that they had mis sold and they could either refund me and I could go elsewhere or my dog could be allowed in the rest of the house (not bedrooms obv) which they then agreed to.

Poorly stocked kitchen is annoying. The last place we stayed had 3 mugs and no colander.

I'm not picky really but if you're going to try and market a place as high end your guests shouldn't have to take it turns to have a cup of tea.

That's such a mumsnettey comment 🤣🤣

Why is the fact that you don't have an en suite at home vaguely relevant to the OP? Lots of people do have en suites and expect the same when on holiday.

She's also said she has some other health/ mobility issue.
So wandering around an unfamiliar landing for a loo at night may not be sensible.

My late in laws used a lot of holiday cottages and she took all her own things from towels to mugs and even bed sheets ! They may as well stayed at home tbh.

The 10am check out and 4pm check in provides six hours for the cleaner to make the beds and clean the property / check inventory to make sure all the cutlery, crockery, etc are present and correct for the next guest.... In addition, if the previous guests have been absolutely filthy, it can take that time (and more) to clean the property. Not everyone wants residual dog hair/slob on the sofa and rugs and this can take time to clean / launder.

In addition, that six hour window is vital for maintence people to come out to fix plumbing/electrical/other issues - I am sure guests would rather not be interrupted by maintence repairs during their stay, plus have a property that is in tip-top condition!

My property satisfies what most people want! Three walk in showers. One relaxing bath! Clear info about en suites and layout. Small boutique agency. Half full this summer. It’s dispiriting when so many of you cannot find us. Yes, we are a town house but have views to die for. I’ve come to the conclusion that people don’t look beyond the big agencies like Sykes. The smaller ones have local managers and people who care. No, you don’t have to strip the beds! Yes, lots of kitchen space for food storage. Loads of big mugs! Plenty of crockery and cutlery. Wine glasses and tumblers and a Nespresso compatible coffee machine. Maybe we just aren’t cheap enough?

The most we've had is tidy and empty bins, never had to strip beds. The last place we stayed we left the dishwasher running and put bin bags outside. The cleaners drove up just as we locked up so that was a relief.
I hate leaving appliances running when no one's in.

If I am staying somewhere for a week, particularly if expensive, I want someplace to keep my clothes. This year DH and I rented an AirBnB in Cornwall for a week. Gorgeous old cottage, could not be faulted. Except that the only places for our clothes were two hooks in the sitting room and a tiny shared wardrobe with six hangers.

There was a lovely old fashioned dressing table but the very small drawers weren’t suitable for clothing. I lived out of my suitcase all week with the wet clothes draped over chairs.

Like much of what’s been written about here, it seems such an easy thing to fix!

Last time I was in France (15 years ago) the deal was we cleaned the cottage/annexe and the owner inspected the property before we left. Got a snotty nod from the woman. I think a deposit refund was dependant upon this.

This was the place where moth larvae came home with us. Must have got on packets we'd stored in their cupboards. Although the man did very kindly send a ring back that DD1 had left behind and didn't ask for postage which I was quite prepared to pay.

Reviews are really helpful.

@AhBiscuits

🤣🤣🤣how demanding are you to expect a minimum of one mug per person 🤣🤣🤣

Except you don't need to tidy up a hotel room before check out.

I agree a floor plan would be helpful too, though not a deal breaker. I have an elderly FIL who can't get up stairs, so downstairs bedrooms are useful to know about and their proximity to a bathroom. And it's good to know where second bedroom is in relation to main one - DC has sleep issues.

Six hours isn’t just for one property either. Cleaning teams do quite a few properties. Laundry company come. Any issues have to be fixed. Bins have to be washed and all bathrooms sparkling. Dishwasher on and emptied! There’s a lot to do for the cleaners.

Are you allowed to post a link?
If so please do.

You don’t empty the bins? Dutty bugger

I agree. Never been asked to do much - stripping the beds - especially DCs means we can spot if anything has been left in there so I'm fine with that. Bins/recycling we empty as a matter of course throughout the stay so its no big deal.

In a small house you probably know where bedrooms are likely to be! Next to each other. My house has a ground floor king with en suite, main bathroom and snug with tv for gaming. Next floor - 2 bedrooms and 2 walk in shower ensuites. Top floor - lounge with fantastic sea views, kitchen and dining area. It’s not a bungalow and it’s obvious where rooms are.