HOLIDAY TIME! What would make the perfect MN seaside cottage?

[runawayquickly]

Attention all weekenders/Brit seaside holidaymakers!
I'm about to start renting out a place in Suffolk and would like to implement the genius little touches you have failed to find in holiday cottages so far. What would make you book a place? A couple of my ideas so far:

1. Dansette record player to wow the kids with and play stacks of 45s when you come back from pub of an evening
2. Loft room with bean bags, a DVD player and Disney's back catalogue. Lockable. Or maybe not
3. Optional waterproof undersheets in the airing cupboard for the nervy mother with potty-training dcs
4. Deaf old biddy neighbour. THis last one was just pure luck.

My target market will be families, probably with grandparents or other friends in tow. Suggestions please!

P.S. I understand a special gin and tonic tap and soundproof rooms/padded cell might be useful, but I've probably thought of all that kind of stuff already

I meant to say look at this site sorry, forgot link!
I don't think it's 100% tbh but I like some things about it. I don't do chintz either.

Mumsnet discount? Ooh, I expect so. Get back to me on the freebie when it's finished! Still got the builders in so think we'll have missed out on the summer season. First big events will be Christmas and New Year and that could be a non starter since my family have decided WE should be the first booking. That's not gonna pay the bills...
Have decided that when it's not booked for weekend and I'm not up there with kids, I am going to tout it round friends/colleagues for a donation to NSPCC. That way friends don't have to feel shy about asking if it's being used.

No, no, put it on Laterooms or on special offer for last minute deals, that way you get SOME income from it, just not full rate.

Kids info folder for those old enough to read with activity ideas and vital info like where the DVDS are.

Games and jigsaw boxes suitable for different age groups. So little kids don't have to go raking through piles of 1000 piece jigsaws of cottage to get a suitable toy.

Hire/ loan packs for babies and toddlers with things like sterilisers to baby baths. Make sure the details of what you have are quite clear to save parents having to bring loads of stuff just is case there isn't what they need there.

A seperate kids lounge would be ideal especially for extended families, so the grown ups can do boring things in peace.

Agree mattress protectors on all the beds perhaps a pile of pampers bed mats for potty trainers, spare sheets etc too in a linen cupboard. All to often there are no spares to be had.

Advice I had was cheep pillows replced often and expensive pillows to last the pace.

or cheap even

a cottage where local people lived who worked in the local area and could afford to buy.

really despise second homes which is what holiday cottages are aren't they?

Good cheap foam pillows not feather and bed protectors (not plastic please).

Bottle opener and can opener all in easy view (always spend time hunting for them).

Good well prepared welcome pack, with everthing from local pharmacy to taxi companies.

Check all the things you may have as standard like salt /pepper are usable for each changeover. Leave standard items listed in the welcome pack and say if they are not there to call. Ask guest not to leave any of their used items in fridge, cupboards. Nice thought but no thanks, pet hate.

Big scrap books ask the guests to put their art, poems, things they liked, disliked.

Cheap sets of buckets and spades, (no inflatables you don't want to be sued if misused) fishing nets.

Small cheap pair of binocluars. Cards, dominos etc.

Plastic cool box and ice packs in freezer.

Oh and a leave a list of suggestion of things to do like this thread: here. Not all of them but some good ideas.

Lucycat if they are used all year round then that is different.

We had a thread about second holiday homes a while ago. Food for thought. I know where you are coming from.

But if the tourist use the local shops (mention in welcome packs) and amenities then they are helping the local community while they visit.

A torch for when the lights go out or you want a midnight stroll.

Oh def, stuff like a torch and spare light bulbs so they don't have to phone you late at night just cause the hall bulb has blown.

Stayed at a cottage once with a round window in the roof gable and a telescope. Wonderful.

From recent seaside holiday with 15 adults and four kids:

A bedguard or two, to save parents borrowing one from their parents, then leaving it behind and leaving themselves unable to use parents as overnight babysitters on return from holiday. Ahem.

Dishwasher that does a load in three minutes flat.

Tons and tons of china, cutlery and kitchenware, including children's plates etc.

Sufficient space for everyone to hang about three coats each and stash three pairs of shoes (British weather, can never have enough outerwear).

Let people know what's provided when they book, so they know what they do and don't need to bring. It's great if you provide this stuff, but not so good if your guests have lugged duplicates from home with them cos they didn't think you'd have it.

Lots of good ideas here, but to add to the booklet of leaflets etc. idea - we stayed in a cottage in Devon one year where the owners had typed out details of various days out they recommended, walks they enjoyed, places to eat - it was very 'personal' and had all sorts of useful details like "this walk takes x amount of time, fine for kids, nice pub here at the end, child friendly, good bar snacks." It was more personal than just leaflets - and more informative.

They also had a file with all the instructions for everything in the house in it - very useful.

Loft room brilliant - unless it is over an adults' bedroom and not well soundproofed (ruins your lie-in!)
Sharp knives
Dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier
washing line and pegs
Boot room or at least lots of places to hang coats and leave wellies
huge comfy sofas that won't show stains
liquid soap for all basins

Big nod for hand soap, we stayed at a very well equiped place but it didn't have soap.

Love it when places have made and effort to add information from personal experience as madeye suggests. Good to know the insider info about shops, walks and local activities.

Nanny and cook included in weekly rental along with electric and linen

Big pile of local touristy/interesting things to do and local amenity info.

Nice pile of old magazines for when the kids have gone to bed and DP gone for walk on the beach.

On a 'don't' note - we just rented a lovely lovely cottage but the although the quilt cover and sheets etc were freshly laundered, I think the quilt and bed had been done with febreeze or something and my strong perfume induced sinus trouble spoilt the first few days till I managed to air everything enough to get rid of the pong.

Buckets and spades
Garden toys
Welcome pack with nice stuff in
Dishwasher/washing machine (please please include electricity/gas!)
Info. about local area
Make it clear what you provide (washing up liquid etc and if it's septic tank and you need non-bio)
Plastic stuff for kids (plates/cups)
CD/DVD player
Mumsnet discount
Please include utilities I don't book places that don't. Like I want to pay huge amounts then scrabble around in the dark looking for 1 pound coins for a meter!