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Calling parents and self catering fans: your must haves please!

93 replies

Dexy007 · 06/01/2022 07:04

Hi

We plan to invest in a second home / holiday let on the beach (3 hours south of Sydney in Huskisson) this year.

We are big fans of air b n b holidays (just us two or with friends) so have a fair idea of what appeals, amenities and decor wise, but some outside perspectives would be great. Especially from parents as we don't have kids but are hoping to invest in a 3/4 bed place, so likely to appeal to families with kids.

What are your must haves? What are your bugbears? What would make you recommend to friends or rebook for next year?

We are planning that it will be dog friendly too (fenced yard).

Please assume the finances and logistics (agent / bookings) are in hand - just grateful to hear about facilities and practical tips.

Thank you in advance 🙂

OP posts:
Kite22 · 06/01/2022 17:01

I agree with the Inventory being visible.

People will always disagree on these threads about what is / isn't important, but I think the key when you are self catering is knowing what is, or isn't there, and then you can either bring it with you or, if that important, not go.
So many things always get suggested that are WAY beyond my expectations, or even that I really wouldn't want, but presumably all the more and more demands people make, add to the cost, and there are a lot of people - particularly young families wanting a beach holiday - that would genuinely prefer a slightly lower price for the week, than any fancy extras you might offer.

mbb1 · 06/01/2022 17:09

Full length mirror in every bedroom.

Mommybunny · 06/01/2022 17:17

If you’re going to be dog-friendly (and as a dog owner who has taken her on many self-catering holidays I encourage this), put in a proper dog run if you can to allow the guests to leave the property without having to take the dog or risk leaving it inside an unfamiliar place. I don’t know if Australian pubs and restaurants allow dogs but, pubs in the U.K. aside (which do allow dogs thankfully), not being required to take the dog with us wherever we went would have vastly increased our dining and sightseeing options.

lljkk · 06/01/2022 17:23

Plenty features others mentioned wouldn't cross my mind, tbh. But Things we like a lot that are not often included in s/c :

proper hob
vegetable peeler
chopping board(s)
frying pan
saucepans with lids
white sugar
Ceramic mugs easily found

Stayed in a nice condo last week that had... only plastic plates. Lowered the standard alright.

USB ports are nice on sockets

steppemum · 06/01/2022 17:35

Mny people say they don't ccok much when self catering but go out to eat/get take aways.

For some of us, we can't afford to go out more than once or twice in the holiday, and it is fun to buy and cook food local to the area.
So please make the kitchen functional, nothing fancy, just actually pans etc that work and a good working oven etc.

As someone who has tall teenage kids, please make all the beds full size, with proper mattresses. If you have smaller beds eg extra beds, make it clear what si\ze they are so we can make a choice if this will work for us.

logoutnow · 06/01/2022 17:43

If you are advertising a place for 8 make sure you have 8 chairs and a table for 8 and enough sofa space for 8.
Yes to the twin beds
At least 2 toilets
Proper knives and glasses - including plastics for outside
Air con in all the rooms
Cotton sheets and good pillows and comfortable mattresses
Walking distance to restaurants and bars - with a dog, we can't get a taxi, so we need to be able to walk to the nightlife, the dog gets his walks that way too! And you have to allow us to take the dog to our bedroom - he doesn't have to go on the bed but he would be very distressed sleeping in another room in a strange house - this is a deal breaker for us.
And clean - really clean!
And don't pop around with a homemade pie to spy on us!

Giveaschitt · 06/01/2022 18:05

Decent WiFi (or mention in the listing if it's not great)
Big saucepans and casserole dishes - it's so annoying trying to cook a family meal with the tiny pans we always seem to have at rental places!
Information about things like local walks - esp if you're making it dog friendly - knowing if there are walks from the doorstep, or if we'll need to get in a car.

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 06/01/2022 18:09

Space for a dog crate/indoor kennel.

DublinDoris2000 · 06/01/2022 18:16

I've just moved back to Ireland from Australia. I'd love to got to huskisson right now.
Air conditioning. A decent BBQ and outdoor furniture with a shade. Black out blinds and proper curtains in the bedrooms.
There are also some sporting events (triathlons) in Huskie, so if the twin rooms would suit adults ie decent beds and storage, you'd make killing!
Space to dry towels, cossies and wetsuits.

onedayoranother · 06/01/2022 19:48

If you allow dogs allow dogs! I stayed at a place and turned out the dogs were only allowed in the kitchen - which either meant the door would get scratched to hell or I ignore it.
My main bugbears are: mismatched dinnerware, and there should be enough I don't have to wash it up after every meal;
Cheap cutlery. Have decent stuff not a mismatch of stuff that looks pinched from a school cafeteria;
Basic (cheap) utensils. A decent good quality set please;
Families tend to cook on holidays, so proper pots and pans, roasting trays and even baking stuff (great to do when weather lousy).
Awful cheap sheets. And be sure to have mattress protector and pillow protectors!
Please have decent furniture. It can be IKEA, just not stuff that looks rickety or that you raided from a second hand shop.
Overdoing the rules and regs: I don't want little signs on every surface;
Must have good free WiFi and more than basic TV;
And lastly - leave me alone! I do not need you to check up that I've settled in/come round to water the plants/take out the bins etc. leave a number in case of problems that's enough.

VerveClique · 06/01/2022 20:18

Decent pillows/linens
Ample bin bags and dishwasher tablets
Loads of tea towels
YY to plentiful matching crockery
Decent knives and a sharpener
Emergency hand soap/shower gel in dispensers
Dispenser on kitchen wall with decent dishwashing liquid, plus new dishcloth and scourer
Decent dustpan and brush
Comfy seating
Good Wi-Fi
Clean, decent outdoor furniture
Champagne flutes
Plenty of storage/shelving/hooks
Clothes horse
Nice wood burner and wood
Shade for outside
Stand for disposable BBQ
Decent parking
Washing machine
dishwasher
King size beds
Bunks?
Outside tap
Adjustable heating/lighting/ventilation
Plenty of loo roll
Decent Hairdryer near to shelf, light, sockett and mirror
Cupboard containing ‘kid’ stuff e.g. high chair, stair gate, travel cot, plastic crockery
Basic beach items for if near the beach
Salt, pepper, oil, foil and clingfilm
Welcome pack of tea, coffee, sugar, fresh milk in the fridge, ice

Mainly everything spotlessly clean!

Driposaurus · 06/01/2022 20:21

Enough hooks to hang beach towels up to dry, shower towels up to dry, and coats/jackets.

JaninaDuszejko · 06/01/2022 21:08

Agree with many of the above comments, particularly about the 'sleeps 6 but actually 2 double beds and a sofabed in the living area' type of airbnb. I want twin beds in all but the master bedroom.

The only other thing is decent waterproof mattress protectors on the beds.

Dexy007 · 06/01/2022 22:11

Some terrific ideas here, thank you guys. Whoever said about the huski triathlon and twin beds possibly being better is bang on. I'll look into this!

OP posts:
MerryMarigold · 06/01/2022 22:16

2 bathrooms or at least 2 toilets.
Proper oven not just microwave.
Decent knives.
Enough chairs and space for max occupancy to sit at the table.
Blackout blinds

Birthdaypug · 06/01/2022 22:39

I’m with all the suggestions so far. But I’d add lots of mugs and glasses. Even with a dishwasher you need double the mugs for the number of people staying. And a range of types of glasses, flutes/wine/gin/tumblers.

For us, having dogs, I try to book properties with hard floors in the kitchen and lounge, saves muddy paws marking carpets.

This probably isn’t applicable in Australia, but if you have an open fire or log burner, supply logs and kindling etc so that it can be used. And not too many instructions notices. We stayed in an Airbnb recently and there were two to three instruction notices in each room, really annoying.

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 07/01/2022 00:19

Plenty of good quality coat hangers please

SockFluffInTheBath · 07/01/2022 09:21

And you have to allow us to take the dog to our bedroom - he doesn't have to go on the bed but he would be very distressed sleeping in another room in a strange house - this is a deal breaker for us.

I’ve lost count of the times we’ve arrived at a dog friendly cottage to be met with a long list of rules that were not on the booking- no dogs on the carpets, no dogs in the kitchen, no dogs upstairs, no dogs in the bedroom. That kind of thing should be stated on the listing so you know before you book. We may or may not have followed those rules, but I always do a quick vac before we leave regardless of rules, and no cottage owner has ever been in touch to say oi about finding dog traces where they shouldn’t have been.

Comefromaway · 07/01/2022 09:31

@SockFluffInTheBath

And you have to allow us to take the dog to our bedroom - he doesn't have to go on the bed but he would be very distressed sleeping in another room in a strange house - this is a deal breaker for us.

I’ve lost count of the times we’ve arrived at a dog friendly cottage to be met with a long list of rules that were not on the booking- no dogs on the carpets, no dogs in the kitchen, no dogs upstairs, no dogs in the bedroom. That kind of thing should be stated on the listing so you know before you book. We may or may not have followed those rules, but I always do a quick vac before we leave regardless of rules, and no cottage owner has ever been in touch to say oi about finding dog traces where they shouldn’t have been.

Absolutely this.

If we try and confine our dog to one room at home he scratches the door/furniture to hell. If we allow him the run of downstairs in the day and allow him to sleep upstairs in his dog bed on the floor next to our bed at night he is as good as gold.

umbel · 07/01/2022 09:40

Have not rtft, but my bugbears, in case they have not been mentioned, are:

  1. Don’t use the kitchen as a dumping ground for all your own unwanted kitchen equipment. I may well want to cook, but I am unlikely to need 15 baking trays, a blender and one of those nifty gadgets for chopping herbs!
  2. Incorporate your cleaning fees into your overall charges to take account of any additional work you might need to do if you welcome dogs. I love to bring my dog in holiday, but I resent having to pay an extra £50 for the privilege - she makes far less mess than the kids!
Paddingtonsmarmlade · 07/01/2022 09:58

Family loo seat or potty. Step stool.
High chair (simple one without padding and groves so it's easy to clean)
Stair gate
Nightlight
Plastic plates/bowls/glasses
I'd happily bring bedding for travel cot
List what things you provide so that we don't have to pack them incase
Washing machine and somewhere to dry

No china lamps or ornaments that could be easily broken

Larchneedles · 07/01/2022 10:05

Stay in it yourselves for a few days first to try it out.

If owners did this on a fairly regular basis maybe they'd notice the lack of storage, hooks etc.

BiddyPop · 07/01/2022 11:03

As a veteran of many SC holidays over the years:

While you don't need a wide range of tools in the kitchen, you do need functional basics.
1 decent small sharp knife, 1 bread knife, 1 decent larger sharp knife.
1, preferably 2 wooden spoons.
Veg peeler that works, tin opener, corkscrew
Ladle, serving spoon, whisk, spatula/egg turner
Proper pots - with lids - to suit the size of group that you are marketing the house for. So yes a couple of small ones but at least 1 large one for enough rice/pasta if all beds were occupied by adults, and 1 large enough for sauce to accompany that. At least 1 decent pan (large enough), preferably 2 (in which case, 1 should be small and the other fairly large).
Trays for the oven - at least 2 - a roasting tin with decent lip, and tray that can do cookies or kievs or oven chips etc
At least 1 decent sized bowl that can be used to mix things, serve things to the table (hot or cold) - and it would be great if that could also go in the oven to cook but latter is a bonus
OVEN GLOVES!
Also, 2 tea towels and a hand towel for the kitchen (a few more teatowels if no dishwasher)
Drying rack for washed dishes, and a washup brush

Crockery:
Enough knives, forks, large spoons, small spoons for each bed (we've been in houses ostensibly holding 8 adults with 4 forks and 2 teaspoons...)
For each bed place, there needs to be:
1 dinner plate, 1 side plate, 1 bowl, 1 MUG (not wee cups and saucers!), 1 juice glass, 1 (proper - not thimble sized) wine glass, 1 straight glass (for water, beer, squash etc - could combine water and juice functions if using larger glasses, but not using smaller ones)
1 extra set, or a few extra bowls, or cups and saucers as well as mugs, are all added bonuses

Milk jug, sugar bowl, tea pot (coffee plunger), salt and pepper pots/mills
Preferably 2 milk jugs (1 being decently large) or a gravy jug for serving sauces/dressings, also a water jug is great but a bonus

Extra set of crockery (already mentioned) or some extra serving dishes, a couple of ramekins for smaller items would be good too

Appliances:
Kettle
Toaster
Decent cooker with grill and oven functions and that the hob actually works well (lots have these pads that take forever to heat up and then to cool down so are very hard to cook on)
Microwave
Dishwasher is great to have, especially if there are not spare sets of crockery (so you need to wash everything after breakfast to have lunch or even mid-morning coffee and cake etc)
Washing machine and dryer or combo are very useful, especially with kids

In a hot press/cleaning cupboard:
Hoover (and a spare bag/make sure bag is not full)
Dustpan/brush, full sized brush, mop and bucket - you hope to never need these, but it's very useful to be able to find them if you do
Maybe not your full cleaning supplies, but a bottle of cleaning spray and a cloth
1 spare set of sheets for each size of bed - so 1 double and 1 single, and 1 cot sheet, not 1 for every bed in the house - just in case they need to change and wash sheets midweek

Beds with decent sheets, duvets suited to the house and season (so an older house with poor insulation and used in winter needs to have heavier duvets, but well insulated and heated house for a warm summer needs lighter ones)
Something else to throw on the bed if some guests are cold - blanket, fleece blanket, spare duvet etc -
1 pillow per person, but at least 1 spare pillow per room
(No - I am not trying to make the house great for extra guests without beds - this is about comfort of those beds - we usually have houses sleeping 6 for just 3 of us and use all the pillows and most duvets just to keep ourselves comfortable).

Also in bedrooms, some kind of lamp beside each bed/each side of doubles, that can be reached from in bed - on a shelf or locker to also put keys/phone/book
As well as socket for lamp, other sockets accessible for charging phones beside bed
1 mirror in each bedroom - with at least 1 full length mirror somewhere in the house
Space near each bedroom mirror for toiletries (dressing table/shelf etc), and a socket for hairdryer etc
(A hairdryer is useful, but I tend to bring my own decent one as SC ones tend to be travel or very low speed types - but I need a socket, and there are lots who also want straighteners/tongs etc as well)
Bin of some sort

Bathroom
Shower with decent pressure and hot water, and not the head encrusted with limescale so all the water runs down the hose rather than out over the person
At least 1 decently large and 1 small towel per bedroom (not 1 hand towel and 2 weeny bathtowels in total for a house sleeping 8)
Towel type bath mats that are changed/washed with each turnover - not a scraggy carpet type that sits there for years
Space to put toiletries/washbags
Hook on back of door for clothes while showering
Non-slip bath mat
Mirror
Bin with a lid

Dining table with enough space and enough chairs for the number of beds.
Enough comfortable chairs in sitting room for number of beds
Bookshelf can be useful - tourist info on local area, couple of kids books, couple of reading books - spend £10 in a charity shop to fill it if you don't have any at home to get rid of
Also, a deck of cards and couple of board games can be good (again, second hand is fine) - but check periodically that all parts/cards are still there
TV
A few lamps around the room so it's not just the central light

If targetting families with small DCs, make sure the equipment is functional - cot is sturdy, high chair can be used easily and either has a tray or can be pulled into the table etc. A step in the bathroom to reach the sink/toilet can be great. (Ikea stuff is all perfect for this - no need to spend loads in Mammas and Pappas - just be functional, and easy for guests to clean during their stay and you to clean between stays).

Wifi would be great to have nowadays - people can stream their own services
But we've stayed in some with old VCRs or DVD players and a few tapes/discs to play which have been good on a rainy day.

Outside, having a table and chairs is great.

A BBQ is handy, or else a space properly set up for the 1 use BBQ trays. (A few key tools - tongs, spatula, fork - for BBQ would also be good to have)

Also stayed in a few with a picnic blanket and plastic crockery for picnics in a tote bag which was great for us. And a bag of buckets/spades/sand moulds was great in another near the beach.

Consumables are handy, but not essential.

So I always like to see at least 1 extra toilet roll per bathroom on arrival, but always assume I need to restock that myself (a few have had plenty for the week).
1 roll of kitchen towel on arrival (not necessarily a full roll, but at least half a roll, not just the last few sheets) is great to have
Tin foil and cling film also
Items like bamboo skewers (especially if there's a BBQ) can be great
Some washing up liquid, a handful each of dishwasher tablets and washing powder tablets would be great to have.

I'd also budget a cheap supermarket scrubbie pad for each turnover as well, and a j cloth -
And a bottle of liquid soap in each bathroom - whether it is in a bought dispenser or just a shop bottle of soap is less relevant than being able to see into it (and if you do water it down, only do that a little - not so much that it is vaugely soapy water coming out, and the same with washing up liquid - cheap and cheerful refills are fine, just not totally watered down ekeing out).

Dinosaurwoman · 07/01/2022 11:12

No memory foam mattresses. I hate sleeping on them,or rather continuously waking up as bits of me over heat.

steppemum · 07/01/2022 12:12

BiddyPop's list is good but I really disagree on these:

one pillow per person.
No - 2 pillows. maybe one for kids. But most people use 2 pillows not one.

one large and one small towel per bedroom
I assume you meant per BED. I don't want to share my towel with my husband! I need one lareg and one small for my hair.

Towels are interesting.
We have a holiday rental in a hot place. Towels are expensive to get service washed, and take a lot of washing machine and tumble dryer space and time if done in the house or by the cleaner between lets.
So we say clearly - one set of bath towels are provided per bed. We can provide swimming towels but you pay extra for the extra washing.
We do not provide spare towels, if you want spare, wash and tumble dry the ones you have.

(we do have spare sheets available in case of accidents, but we ask you to wash and replace if used)
The owner does need to make money in some way, and the cost of washing sheets and towels can wipe out a chunk of profit.