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Original poster

Does a holiday home need a washing machine?

148 replies

Teenyliving · 04/09/2022 08:36

I’m fortunate to have inherited a tiny flat in an increasingly popular holiday place. Short/medium plan is to use it myself and then holidayboetnit when I’m not there.

Just looking at works that need to be done - does anyone have a view on whether a holiday let MUST have a washing machine? It’s the kind of place most people will come for the weekend - a week at most.

Im reconfiguring it from a studio with separate kitchen to a separate bedroom with kitchen/living together. It’s is teeenny! And wouLd be a real stretch to get washing machine in the new configuration!

thank you

OP posts:
justasking111 · 04/09/2022 09:08

It's a one bedroom apartment so you're not aiming at families . I wouldn't bother

User148563 · 04/09/2022 09:08

We are a couple and I wouldn't bother doing washing on holiday unless I was there for about 2 weeks, I would only expect to book a small flat for less than a week so probably wouldn't use it. If there was a washer that I used I would also need a dryer as well

RampantIvy · 04/09/2022 09:08

I don't go on holiday to do washing, and am perfectly capable of packing enough clothes for a week.

Also, it isn't exactly onerous to wash up breakfast stuff and some tea mugs for two people, so not having a washing machine or dishwasher would not be a deal breaker for me.

NancyJoan · 04/09/2022 09:12

For a one bed place, no. For a family set up, absolutely, my DC needed two clean changes of clothes a day in holiday when small, and we’ve never owned 14 full outfits each.

ApolloandDaphne · 04/09/2022 09:12

My DH and I often go away for a few days up to a week and we never use the washing washing or the dishwasher in the holiday accommodation. This wouldn't worry me at all. If you don't have a hairdryer or a cafetière I am not coming though!

Aozora13 · 04/09/2022 09:12

I wouldn’t book a place for our family without a washing machine but if it was a weekend away with just DH I’d assume we would manage not to puke or soil ourselves so wouldn’t consider it. I’d ideally want a dishwasher if it was for a weeks stay, a weekend only wouldn’t bother me.

User148563 · 04/09/2022 09:13

Is it likely a family would use it if it is small as they are the ones that mainly need to do washing on holidays

Frazzled2207 · 04/09/2022 09:13

Given what you’ve said no i don’t think it’s essential. A dishwasher is more important though, can you fit in a slimline one?

User148563 · 04/09/2022 09:14

I would market it to couples

LadyApplejack · 04/09/2022 09:15

No. Even on hols with my young family we very rarely need to use a washing machine.

perenniallymessy · 04/09/2022 09:15

For a small flat (ie not a family place) I wouldn't bother- but do put details of the nearest laundrette in the information folder (including details of what coins you need etc). Plus maybe provide a small drying rack for swimwear, anything people hand wash (or delicates if they use the laundrette).

Agree that I'd try to squeeze in a small dishwasher if there's any way you could. But if not provide a really good draining rack and plenty of tea towels.

Choconut · 04/09/2022 09:15

We've stayed in loads of airbnb's without dishwashers or washing machines - I couldn't be bothered doing washing while away. We book airbnb's rather than hotels for space and for somewhere we can make a quick and easy meal now and then to save money. In one place we had to take our own bedding (just took sleeping bags for ease) - it was still very booked up because it was such a fantastic location.

Slimfitblouse · 04/09/2022 09:17

No. I don't do laundry on holiday.

CornishTiger · 04/09/2022 09:18

In the type of property you have then no I wouldn’t expect one. However how will you do sheets etc?

Dishwasher- for a couple. No. Family. Yes please!

Skyeheather · 04/09/2022 09:18

No - we've just stayed in two holiday rentals, each for a week. Neither had a dishwasher and I didn't use the washing machines (it's my holiday too, I've got better things to do on holiday than washing. Everyone took enough clothes for two weeks and it was fine even with two kids). A dishwasher would have been handy but it didn't hurt to wash a few dishes!

Abraxan · 04/09/2022 09:18

I that type of accommodation I wouldn't look for a washing machine at all.

But tbh I'd dismiss if no dishwasher, esp if other accommodation nearby had one. I'd say for a city type young couple weekend away a dishwasher is going to be way more important than a washing machine. Even if it was just a small one for putting breakfast stuff in.

Mindymomo · 04/09/2022 09:20

As long as it’s mentioned that there isn’t a washing machine or dishwasher, then there won’t be a problem. I used to use washing machine when children were young, did use one last year when dog was car sick, so towels needed washing, otherwise I would have thrown them away. If the place has plenty of mugs, plates etc, then we fill dishwasher up and put on when full.

adriftabroad · 04/09/2022 09:21

It will be left dirtier if no dishwasher. Cleaners will take longer at changeover. People will leave a sink of dirty things.
Crockery will look shabby quickly without a dishwasher. Things need to be as new for guests, not with stubborn tea stains that you would not mind in your own home.

Laundry not a problem IMO, I always outsourced sheets etc. 1 bed flat short lets will not need a washing machine.

Original poster
Teenyliving · 04/09/2022 09:22

clean sheets will be sorted by mananagement company.

interesting that some have string feelings on a dishwasher - I’ll look into whether I can fit a slimline one

thanks all!

OP posts:
RockingMyFiftiesNot · 04/09/2022 09:24

For a couple, most likely coming for the weekend, a week max, then no, you don't need a washing machine, especially as space is at a premium.
I'd provide a drying rack of some description in case people want to rinse things through.
You'd lose those couples who can't live without a washing machine or dishwasher for a week but there will be plenty who don't mind that.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 04/09/2022 09:25

Teenyliving · 04/09/2022 09:22

clean sheets will be sorted by mananagement company.

interesting that some have string feelings on a dishwasher - I’ll look into whether I can fit a slimline one

thanks all!

Seriously don't. There will be plenty of people who can manage without one for a weekend

icantworkout · 04/09/2022 09:26

Not necessary in a small flat I don't think, as you'll only be having a couple of people there. I've actually never used a washing machine on holiday even when we took the whole family but I know some people do.

GettingOrganisedNow · 04/09/2022 09:35

Like others, I'd only need a washing machine if the kids were with us, but it sounds like that's not your market, so you probably don't need to worry.

Wouldn't use a dishwasher either, we just wash up by hand.

saraclara · 04/09/2022 09:36

Is there a launderette in town?

I've just come back from a week in a studio flat with no washing machine. I established from the owner that there was no launderette within eight miles, so packed accordingly (I only had a cabin wheely case so it took a bit of thought). I took a travel bottle with detergent in just in case, and there was a balcony to dry things on. But actually it was all fine and I didn't need to wash a thing.

One the kids had flown the nest, I can't actually recall using a washing machine in a holiday home, to be honest. I was probably glad to see that there was one, but didn't use it!

mondaytosunday · 04/09/2022 09:41

For a studio or one bedroom no - but you MUST make it clear in your description, don't rely on just not including it in the list of amenities, actually say NO dishwasher or washing machine.
I once stayed at a place that didn't have a shower. Now it didn't say it DID have one, but showers are so ubiquitous now I assumed it would. They should have said NO shower.