What makes the perfect cottage holiday rental for you?

[SunshineChatter]

I am new in the holiday rental market, with this summer being my first proper season letting my cottage in Somerset.

I am trying to make it as well appointed as possible. Soft cotton sheets, fluffy white towels, complimentary mini toiletries, champagne flutes, kitchen scales, baking stuff, wi-fi, Netflix, beautiful garden furniture, BBQ, welcome hamper, dog treats, etc.

But I'm sure we all look for different things when we rent a luxury holiday cottage. Could you please share what you feel would make a cottage stand out were you to rent it for a week's away with your OH, family, friends, etc? It sleeps four in two bedrooms. TIA.

Wifi
Washing machine
Free parking
Early check in
Late check out
Baby stuff (cot , high chair etc)
Lots of hooks and towel rails in bathrooms
Twin rather than double
Basic cooking stuff (oil,salt, pepper etc)
Washing up liquid
Laundry detergent

@OneKeyAtATime WRT early check in and late check out, we always try to offer that but it really depends on our cleaners' schedule. But if they give the go ahead we are more than happy to allow that. We certainly enjoyed not rushing around to leave when we left other holiday properties in the past.

Agree with others that while most people have a fairly long list of "nice to have" or "annoying if they're not there" things, surely for most there are only a few things that would actively put them off booking a place. Everyone's are different but for me it would be things like: inconvenient layouts (eg an ensuite bathroom, bedroom accessed through living space etc), anywhere that allowed dogs, weird extra charges eg for electricity or WiFi (yes, such properties do exist, never stayed in one but I've seen them listed), any part of an arrangement that lacks clarity or is complex eg no/unclear contacts for maintenance/emergency or clarification of what items are in the property, arrangements for refunds or deposits etc.

I mean, obviously I also wouldn't stay somewhere dirty or uncomfortable but I'd take that as a given anyway.

I never see anything about covid in the cancellation policies on airbnb.

Doesn't surprise me as they're a bunch of shysters anyway. The main problem with Airbnb is that they fall foul of my 'no weird charges'/no ambiguity rules to a noticeable degree. Also, have you noticed how many review sections state something like 'the host cancelled this booking'? Wtf are people doing, carrying on like that? It really is shoddy as fuck. Much rather use a legitimate agency with clear expectations and redress set out for both parties.

Good weather! (sorry op).

[quote SunshineChatter]Perhaps people should say how much they expect to pay for their lomg list of requirements. I suspect that many people Re putting down wish lists without realising the price you would pay for such properties in July/August.

Yes, good point. We have kitted the cottage out so well because it's our second home. We've stayed with family and friends and every time we realise something is missing (the last time it was a 'zester' - I'm not even sure what it is for as I don't cook but my domestic goddess friend said the cottage needed one!) we get one. But all this adds up, especially when things get damaged or thrown in the rubbish by accident.

So it'd be good to get an idea of what budget people would allocate for such a holiday.

As for the alcohol license, I can't remember who told me but I looked into that on a government website and it's definitely a thing. A quick Google search just threw up this page but that's not the one I was pointed to when first told www.boshers.co.uk/blog/holiday-home-letting-2/alcohol-in-welcome-packs-is-a-licence-required/[/quote]
Thanks for the link Sunshine, I've done some googling now too and I'm satisfied that I don't need one. I've taken the view that as I don't even mention wine or even welcome pack in my listing I am not offering 'wine included accommodation' , but a 'totally without strings gift'. That is my interpretation, for me & I don't mind either way if others agree or disagree .

Zester - tick. Also, melon-baller, cherry-stoner, pickle-spoon, Nutribullet, bean to cup machine, big cooker, huge pans, small pans, cake tins, bread tins, roasting tins & sharp knives. Logburner, big Apple desktop to use, Bluetooth speakers, two BBQs. I do try to think of everything.

My house sleeps 8 and I charge between £400 and £450 per night all year round. Minimum 2 nights stay, 6 nights in summer. Discount for 7 nights.

My house isn't flashy, but it is quite stylish & quirky. Definitely not luxury, but comfortable with some nice surprises. Lots of parking and opposite the beach. If it were on the beach I could charge £3,500 - £5,000 per week.

I've been full all summer and booked for half term already, Christmas and New Year. But I am disappointed with some of this years families - totally different from times past. It's usually great fun though and I do go out of my way to ensure my guests have a great stay & my reviews reflect that at 4.95 out of 5 for 56 bookings.

@lljkk we don't go through any agencies so I'm not sure what their policies are. To date we've had a couple of cancellations and others asked to reschedule. We said yes to both of course. I am not sure how anyone could think it's OK not to given the current situation.

@Notwiththeseknees you provide an Apple desktop? Wow! Do you not get lots of 'IT support' calls from guests who can't work it out?

And where do you get reviews? Is that on the agent website or on yours?

Guests use a visitor account set up on the computer, but no IT calls - yet. If they couldn't use it because they don't know how, then they will have to resort to their phones or their laptops. When I travel it is too big to cart about so I thought why not let the guests use it.

I am on AirBnb and also have returning guests. I haven't a bad word to say about them. When CV first kicked off, they extended the extenuating circumstances to include it and all my cancellations were given a full refund straight away including their fees and I was given a percentage of the booking value. I can't remember what it was now, but it was just given. No strings, no claiming, fully automatic.
I never accept guests who try & book around the platform with cryptic messages or seek me out on Social Media. Their help desk has always helped. And as a PP brought it up, I have never, ever cancelled a booking. Even when I've cocked up on minimum stay settings, I uphold my end (hence me doing a changeover tomorrow after a 3 day booking sneaked in) - I was away in December & forgot to put in my minimum nights. But you take it on the chin.

I'm currently in the launderette with 3 machines on the go as my laundry service couldn't handle it in time for tomorrow.

We have 2 new blinds to put in tomorrow during changeover, 3 cleaners to clean, M&S goody basket is ready, new hall light fitting to fit, set a fire, arrange flowers, change into my 'hostess dress' (no one likes meeting a sweaty mess) and then relax. Running a holiday cottage is simple - doing it well is demanding and exhausting, but it is mainly great.

The view. Nice sofas. Somewhere outside to sit. A cafetiere and wine glasses. Dishwasher tablets. Clean. Tasteful furnishings. I would say minimal but we have stayed in some lovely more antique filled farmhouse style and it was another level.

Really well-equipped kitchen - no mismatched glasses or crockery.

Dishwasher.

Preferably a utility room with a washing machine and tumble dryer.

Excellent bed linen and beds. Ditto towels.

No carpets.

En-suites to all bedrooms.

Wi-fi.

We stayed in a lovely (expensive!) apartment on the beach in UK. Things that would prevent me from re-booking - carpet in most rooms, slippers with a request for guests' use (not new - yuck), washer/dryer (always crap), and a random selection of crockery and stemware.

If you don't go thru an agency, how do you advertise, OP?
I can't figure out any efficient way to look for rentals other than airbnb. Everywhere else is massively more expensive or already booked up; airbnb is the only way I can find any properties for when/where we are looking.

I could not care less if crockery were mismatched...

Hairdryer. Washing machine would be great with youngsters!

Blackout blinds/curtains!

If there is outdoor space then some outdoor games, ie giant jenga or a boules set (just something to keep kids and adults occupied). If it's near the beach then a bucket and space etc.

Gas bbq

@lljkk there are websites that allow owners to pay a yearly fee to be listed. They don't do anything besides that.

In addition to that we post on lots of Facebook groups. There are groups dedicated to holiday places in particular regions, or dog-friendly places, holiday lodges, cottages, etc. It's hard work at our end because we have to post pretty much each day and need to monitor those pages for enquiries from potential guests. One thing I'd say - if you go the direct route, check the place to ensure it's kosher - do they have a website? A long-standing Facebook page? Do they take credit card payment? We got scammed to the tune of £3,500 when we 'booked' a place and paid via bank transfer only to find out the owners' email address had been hacked and we were talking to fraudsters. We ended up with no booking and no money, despite talking to fraud line (or whatever it is called) with a case number, our bank, etc. So now we don't book anything that requires a bank transfer payment.

@londonscalling we have a hairdryer in each room :-)

Decent beds - given up renting holiday cottages as they seem to only use the worst mattress they can find!

@Mumelie I know what you mean. Some of the beds we slept on when renting holiday properties has such soft/old mattresses you and your OH would meet in the middle! But we like the beds we have at home so since this is our second home we put the same mattresses in the cottage as we have in our primary home.

I wanted to share our latest review - we are really trying to provide everything so all your suggestions have been very, very helpful and they've gone on a list ;-)

(I have removed the name of the cottage so this doesn't become an advertising post ;-) )

We had a lovely stay at XXX cottage. The cottage is so much more spacious than the photos and the beautiful inglenook fire place is huge! The kitchen was extremely well equipped with everything you could possibly need. The garden really is beautiful and the patio dining area was sunny all day. We were also pleased that there was a great BBQ. Will definitely be staying again- 10/10!

Also it would bump the cost up

Happy with mismatched crockery and a homely feel

@woodhill

Also it would bump the cost up

Happy with mismatched crockery and a homely feel

I wouldn’t be. I’m not a student in digs.

Upgrade several of the sockets to have integral USB charging.

If you can, have a number of chargers avaioable (in case someone forgets theirs) but be aware that these might walk. Perhaps something for you to drop round rather than have permanently in place?