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Original poster

Holiday homes - tell me about your loves & hates

194 replies

gizmo · 27/11/2015 13:28

Hello all!

So I'm in the middle of refurbishing my parent's old house for holiday lettings and I've just come across a slightly old thread (2009?) with mumsnetter's thoughts on the perfect holiday cottage. Which is incredibly helpful but I wondered if times might have moved on since then.

We're looking at an old (1760) house which should sleep 10 (6 beds, 3 baths). If you were looking for a family holiday in North Yorkshire, what would sell a house to you?

So far I've got on my list:

  • good equipment for babies/toddlers (proper cot, highchair, stairgates, some toys)
  • good beds! Nice linens. And enough sofas/dining room furniture for all
  • a well equipped kitchen (not just the appliances but all the right glassware, cookware etc)
  • Fireplaces/log burners with fuel and guards
  • Wifi - as fast as we can make it given it's rural North Yorkshire
  • MUST BE CLEAN. Properly clean.

Things I'm not so sure about:

  • the house in the middle of a Capability Brown park. I could let visitors in there but there is a stream (about 100 meters from the house). How do people feel about open water and children?
  • dogs. There is a secure garden and it would be a good place for a doggy holiday. But would it put you off if you're not a dog lover and you know there have been dogs there?
  • spares. Yes, to foil, bulbs, firelighters, washing machine detergent, dishwasher etc. Anything else?
  • bathrooms. Two upstairs and one (shower room) downstairs. I have the option to put an extra WC in downstairs? What do people think?

So what's your best and worst experiences in self catering? And how can I do better? I'd be so grateful for any ideas....

OP posts:
Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:16

Fortunately we have a boot room/utility area.

I say fortunately because I think we're going to get a lot of walkers.

Hairdryers! Yes, of course, better make sure thats on the list. Presumably to be plugged into sockets near mirrors?

OP posts:
drspouse · 27/11/2015 22:16

I imagine most parents with smaller DCs will do washing on holiday even if it's just "sod it the two gro bags have sick on them" and we like to do a wash the last day or two so clothes are clean to go home. I'd appreciate a dryer too (or washer dryer) and the instructions CHAINED DOWN in case you need to do something like frantically open the machine mid cycle because you'll be late leaving.

WiFi is mainly used to watch iplayer or Netflix with young DCs after they are in bed as you can't really go out.

Lots of leaflets/guide books/walks books.

Loo roll!

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:20

Actually you raise a good point there Drspouse. Assuming we offer a nice full size cot (not a travel cot) what should we do about bedding? I'm tempted to believe everyone uses Grobags these days but I guess there ought to be some baby blankets just in case?

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tabulahrasa · 27/11/2015 22:21

Yes dogs will put some non-dog owners off, but equally it'll attract dog owners...so I think it's one of those six of one and half a dozen of the other things.

I'd go abroad if it wasn't for the dog, so I'm purely looking for somewhere that suits the dog Blush but when I find a good one, I'd go back and I'd recommend it on dog forums to others. ( that's what lots of people do when they find somewhere that's great for dogs)

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:23

It might be one of those things where I will have to run an experiment for a season, I guess. See what the impact of dogs might be - if I can get a good booking rate with them or if I have to consider excluding.

OP posts:
purplewhale · 27/11/2015 22:27

We self cater every year at least twice. There have been good and bad things about all of them

Dishwasher definitely.
Decent hob/oven
Full size fridge and freezer
Washing machine
Places to dry clothes - airers, washing lines, tumble dryer??
Liquid soap and a hand towel at every wash basin
Cooking basics - salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic
Plenty of coat hangers
Takeaway menus
Recommendations for local restaurants, cafes, places of interest

Most of the places we have stayed have a random selection of books, magazines, DVDs etc

SenecaFalls · 27/11/2015 22:27

Maybe someone mentioned this upthread and I missed it, but no long list of things that people have to do when they leave that essentially means getting the place in shape for the next group. I expect the owner to price the accommodation in a way to cover cleaning between renters. I will leave the house, and especially kitchen and bathrooms, in decent shape, but I will not vacuum, dust, clean windows, or leave a washing machine running with all the sheets and towels.

purplewhale · 27/11/2015 22:27

YY to large bed, at least king size and WIFI

Mango66 · 27/11/2015 22:28

At least two wcs (same as at home). Plus a decent supply of toilet paper.
Washing machine/ drier and airer.
Takeaway menus dated later than 1976 please.
No twigs / pebbles in bowls.
TV and WiFi preferable.
No dogs. We stayed in a cottage in 2014 with dog hair and fleas in the beds. Even if you ask for dogs to be kept downstairs there will always be those who think the rules don't apply to them;
Off street parking .
Plenty of plug sockets.

But no haggis for us please.

RomComPhooey · 27/11/2015 22:29

what should we do about bedding? I'm tempted to believe everyone uses Grobags these days but I guess there ought to be some baby blankets just in case?

IME, most places that have cots require you to bring your own cot bedding.

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 27/11/2015 22:32

Agree with RomCom - you could maybe provide a fitted bottom sheet for the cot but it is very standard to not provide cot bedding. Not a problem at all.

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:32

SenecaFalls, surely you're joking? They expected you to do the laundry for the next visitors????!!

Good grief Shock that's not much of a holiday, is it?

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 27/11/2015 22:32

"Cooking basics - salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic"

Is balsamic a cooking basic? I mean, I own it and use it, but I wouldn't expect to find it there next to salt pepper and oil...

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:33

OK, Mango, will take Haggis off the list Smile

But make sure loo roll goes on!

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Doyouthinktheysaurus · 27/11/2015 22:34

Washing airer is essential, even with a tumble dryer.

We stayed in a lovely cottage last year, perfect in every way except the lack of airer. Had to dry the clothes on the radiators.

Dustpans and brushes are useful but often absent too. A long handled broom is handy too.

Lots of teaspoons. We went to one place that had only 3 or 4 teaspoons, I had to go out and buy some. Dirt cheap and likely to get lost but so essential. I always take my own long handled ones now

Hand towels in each loo and the kitchen, liquid soap by the sinks. We do take some but it's nice to find it there and it's very cheap to buy.

RomComPhooey · 27/11/2015 22:36

It's a bonus when there are a few basics in the cupboard left by previous guests - salt, oil, a bit of flour, malt vinegar, odds & ends of herbs, some teabags. If you could tolerate a bit of this, I think most guests would appreciate it - nowt worse than fish 'n' chips with no vinegar. Grin

SenecaFalls · 27/11/2015 22:37

gizmo Not in a long time for me, but there was a thread recently in which various mumsnetters recounted what they do when they leave a holiday home or some of the things they have been asked to do. It was an eye-opener.

I do always get clarification upfront about this to avoid the issue.

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:38

You speak truth, RomComPhooey. And it's really annoying to buy a litre of vinegar for one supper.

OP posts:
Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:39

Oh that's worth thinking about - I shall have a hunt for that. I used to be on Mumsnet All.The.Time so would have seen it in the good old days. But sadly RL got in the way!

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janethegirl2 · 27/11/2015 22:40

I prefer no dogs.

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:40

Sorry, hunt for that thread, SenecaFalls.

Shouldn't be on this thread after a few glasses of wine, I think Blush

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Roonerspism · 27/11/2015 22:44

We stay in a beautiful place that allows dogs downstairs. There are wooden floors and leather sofas.

We wouldn't dream of letting our dog upstairs.

We have kids too - so few are dog and kid friendly.

Totally agree to soap in bathroom/hand towels/sharp knives. Non plastic chopping boards.

Last place we stayed in was filthy (not dog filthy, just grimey). Very easy to miss bits.

Yes to clothes airer, dustpan and brush.

Extra tea towels. One for a whole week is yuk.

Good luck!

DickDewy · 27/11/2015 22:47

OK, my rules are it must be at least as nice as my home or better. The price is not as important to me as the amenities, and this is the same with many of my friends.

I expect a luxurious master suite with an ensuite, at least one other bathroom. Decent beds and bedding, good quality towels. TV with cable in all bedrooms.

Kitchen with dishwasher, modern ovens, fridge and utility with washing machine and separate dryer.

I work my way from the bathrooms backwards for holiday lets, b&bs and hotels. I find if the bathroom is to my liking - the rest will be too!

Original poster
gizmo · 27/11/2015 22:47

Oh thanks SenecaFalls, that will be an education, I'm sure.

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