What would you expect in a luxury holiday cottage in Cornwall?

[Alamindah]

We are building an environmentally friendly holiday cottage on the north coast of Cornwall and deciding what equipment should go in there, and wondered what you would expect to see if you were visiting. It will have 4 double bedrooms (with zip and link beds, so that they can be doubles or singles), 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen/diner, a large living room, utility room, patio, roof terrace and small garden. We will provide a washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, double oven, 5 ring hob, microwave, kettle, toaster, smart TV, soundbar, American style fridge freezer, wine fridge, DVD player, PS4, wireless speakers, barbecue, garden games, outside shower, books, games, DVDs.

Is there anything which you would expect? We have decided not to have a hot tub, for environmental reasons! Would you expect there to be two dishwashers? Would you want a Nespresso machine? Or would a cafetière suffice? Would you expect the fridge to dispense cold water and ice. Would you want the PS4 in the living room or a separate room (ie one of the bedrooms)? Would you expect a PS4, or do you think this is not necessary on holiday?

This thread is bringing me so much joy! We are not really a 'luxury cottage' type of family, but I am quite enjoying imagining myself wafting around a luxurious cottage using my luxury eco friendly cleaning products, coming back from a day at the beach and using the warm outdoor shower, making coffee using a 60 quid cafetiere, cooking delicious meals with a huge array of cooking utensils, drinking wine on the roof terrace and then crawling into organic high thread count sheets.

Whenever we go to Cornwall, we always camp. I do love it, but sometimes I look at people going back to their lovely cosy luxury cottages and feel a slight pang of envy!

It sounds lovely; hope you get lots of bookings.

I hate cold, dark bathrooms and musty towels so, if it is too late to have underfloor heating, can you at least have a heated towel rail and mirror? It is a great idea to offer beach kit (would I be cheeky to ask for a picnic set and thermos/coolbox)?

Depending on what sort of windows you have, window locks might be a good idea (so you can leave them open a few cms, but not enough for robbers/adventurous children). Somebody else mentioned blackout blinds.

I stayed in an airbnb place recently that was full of little extras (decent tea/coffee/milk etc plus a few cans of drink/crisps/biscuits). They offered to supply vegan/gluten free when we booked (which was apparently really appreciated by some guests).

I like having a radio at home (in fact we normally pack one for hols), but the host had an Alexa linked up to his music collection/tunein so that was a plus. We had a remote control thermostat for the heating too. Conversely please add a couple of fans for bedrooms if it is likely to get hot.

Can I add a request for a dustpan and brush or handheld vac and boot-scraper. It always seems to rain when we go away!

Moonkissedlegs I love your post, it has made me smile! I hope you can stay one day!

Madcats - thank you. We are putting in underfloor heating and heated towel rails, so hopefully no musty towels! Yes, we will provide picnic stuff including a coolbox, thermos and ice packs! The windows will all have 'limiters' on them, so will tick that box. We will make sure the welcome pack has lots of nice goodies in it to suit all people. We will have definitely have at least one radio in the house (plus there will be WiFi if you want to access via your phone). There will be lots of cleaning things - my husband is very OCD about clean floors!

I would make stairgates, highchairs etc on request only, we stayed somewhere a while ago that had all this stuff and the stairgate was in the way of the bedroom doors, we had to take them off ourselves. Highchair and travel cot were taking up storage space that we could have used for other stuff.

Not sure if already mentioned, but decent kitchen utensils. Esp a colander for draining enough pasta/rice for at least as many people who can stay in the cottage.

Don't fill up every kitchen cupboard with plates, pots etc. So many times we've stayed turned up at a holiday home with a weeks worth of food to find nowhere to keep it.
Also, have space in the bathrooms for people to store their items.
Maybe a basket, or space at the door, for shoes.
A cake tin in useful too.

Fans for each room.
Outside seating, with sun-shades.
Fly screens for outside doors
Trays for carrying drinks etc outside
Washing up bowl, not just the sink.
Rubbish bin and bin bags - plus instructions for recycling as this may be different from where your guests live.

A folder with ideas of places to visit and recommended eateries (even better if they will do a discount in return for your recommendation).

In addition to details for doctor and vet, details for nearest pharmacy and shop/ supermarket with extended opening hours.
Also instructions for working the TV, oven and any other appliances/ gadgets that are not blindingly obvious for the technologically challenged.

A visitors book with space for people to recommend places to visit for the next guests.

For me it would be:
nespresso pod machine
bbq
fluffy towels
luxury toiletries
welcome pack
luxury bed linen
comfy mattress with topper

Laundry baskets as otherwise you pile up dirty clothes in carrier bags

Blackout lined curtains or blinds

Fans

If you allow pets and children then dog welcome basket and a bed
For babies and children a monitor, stair gates if necessary, a GOOD travel cot and mattress, baby bath perhaps even a decent buggy as packing is horrific enough without all this

Beach paraphernalia

Decent range of chargers just in case

Right format of spare lightbulbs

Pens

Oh and a good high chair not one of the cheap ones where the tray is a mile away from the seat and the base so light as to risk the chair toppling over

Thanks for the further comments and suggestions. Yes, baby equipment will be good quality but only put out for those requesting it and it won't be taking up storage space within the bedrooms. All other equipment suggestions are great and on our list. I always vowed when our children were little that if we were ever lucky enough to have a holiday hose we would have blackout curtains/blinds, as everywhere seemed to have very thin curtains which are a nightmare with young children - I will stay true to my word! We will make sure there is a large double cupboard in the kitchen for guest food!

The guest info will be comprehensive and deal with all appliances, as well as local info (including details of GPs etc), as well as having a visitor's book.

Haven't read whole thread, but like moonkissed legs, have enjoyed having a fantasy Cornwall luxury holiday from my desk.

Having stayed in a luxury cottage in Kent recently, which was very lovely but lacking in a few areas I would say:

Big enough towels - bath sheets, and medium sized and hand towels in each bathroom.

Garden furniture for lolling - sun loungers!

NO to Nespresso machine!

A PS4 would put me off.

If it can sleep 8, please make sure you have finning chairs, and comfy chair/sofas for 8.

Sharp knives! I don't really like to cook when I'm on holiday, but if I do a couple of decent knives are essential.
And, as others have said, some large saucepans/casserole dishes.
We were away at Christmas in quite a smart property. There were 9 of us and nothing to cook pasta in for 9!

Some nice hand wash in every bathroom/loo

I bloody hate Nespresso machines. One cup at a time. I need at least 3 to get me going in the morning. And cafetieres I hate even more. They are a bitch to clean and even the large ones don't produce enough coffee for both me and DH. But I bring our filter coffee maker with us on holiday.

Prefer a cottage with a woodburner and a bath.

If you're going to be dog-friendly, make sure you have a cracking cleaning crew and insurance.

Dinnerware, glasses, cutlery etc. Fluffy towels and also beach towels. Dressing gowns and good quality toiletries. A little welcome box with things like nice teabags and Information booklets for local attractions.

your list looks great ... is there anything that can go outside? if its coastal guess too windy for table tennis but a basketball/netball hoop/swing ball ...in ground trampoline....
its useful to be able to chuck children in the garden to be active whilst adults get ready (lounge around drinking more coffee)

I am also not keen on cafietieres and would prefer a filter - for volumme in the morning - so coffee making equipment for various quantities of cups..- talking of which decent sized mugs as well as cups
Decent bed linen - non allergenic pillows (firm preferably or a selection)

I like to see local businesses supported - so local pottery/fabric etc
recommendations for good arts n crafts places or good whats on ...stayed somewhere there was an arts trail that was useful to plot some trips around and found other things related we would have never found otherwise
foodie / real beer/cider guide including producers - maybe team up with a vegbox company locally that can deliver if people want....

list decent pubs/cafes in the local tourist hotspots- saves loads of time especially as some towns in Cornwall get so busy...knowing if you have to book! and of course Pasty recommendations......

OS maps..for walking off all the pasties/cream teas

Luxury to me is not having to think too much about things....so suggested itineraries/walks/drives maybe weather dependant

eg under 10s pissing rain good bets are x and y , good range of food near there are a and b , sheltered coves if they need to run around and not get blown away are c, d or soft play.cinema go here...

recommendations for more beachy type stuff that would be hard to work out in a limited amount of time eg surf schools - I wouldn't know where to start to see if one was better than another
Good takeways that deliver

Apologies if this has already been said.

1. Fire Risk Assessment - required by law, not difficult to do but has to be re-done and revisited.
2. advice to people with mobility issues or families with children to tell them how family friendly or disabled friendly your cottage is.
3. Pest proof bins and recycling bins
4. WiFi that works well enough to stream a film.
5. blankets - for people who don't like quilts or as extra if people want to be warmer

We stayed somewhere lovely last year and one of my favourite things was that they had loads of baking equipment and cookbooks. I really enjoyed making cookies and fairy cakes, I'd never bother usually.

Also somewhere else, loads of board games and a wide range of classic and family friendly dvds. Great for rainy days. From a charity shop would be fine.

Also second paddling pool and garden games.

Many sensible suggestions above but from bitter experience be aware that guests are very likely to abuse the washing machine - (even luxury guests -I am surprised North Cornwall has any sand left on the beaches). And yes, I would ditch the tumble dryer and go for a heated towel rail or the like although you have said you'd rather the tumble dryer.

And throws/ dog blankets for the sofas - wet dog smell is a nightmare to get out of fabrics and dogs will go on furniture whether they are meant to or not!

As mentioned above an idiot guide for the TV/ DVD and anything else technical.

Have a key box somewhere hidden about the outside of the property so when the guests call you because they have lost the keys on a cornish beach you can direct them to the hidden key without having to drive for 5/50/500 miles

Most importantly an EXCELLENT cleaner who has enough time to clean the place properly including checking all the cutlery/ crockery/ pans etc are properly clean/ unchipped (and a box of replacements somewhere close so they can replace anything that needs replacing immediately)

Good luck

For me, the best thing you’ve already said is that you are going to have flexibility with beds (zip link) - I have virtually given up on finding decent places that can accommodate groups who do NOT want double beds! Older parents who prefer to sleep separately, siblings & friends who are happy to share a room but not a bed, children of various ages who need own space ...

I would also love to be able to select the contents of my welcome pack, or at least tell you not to bother leaving coffee because nobody drinks it, or pork sausages when the group doesn’t eat pork - not so essential for non perishables but you don’t want to waste perishables

One dishwasher and something that I would like is a choice of pillows like some hotels do, feather and hollow fibre and the same with duvet it wouldn’t be a deal breaker but would be lovely! Oh and if you could make sure the duvets are for the correct season nobody wants a 13.5 tog in the middle of the summer. I wouldn’t worry about a PS4 or water/ice dispenser.

All of the above are great. We stayed at 'The old cabbage patch' in Trevone. Had literally everything, including binoculars to enjoy the view!
The most useful - out door shower and wetsuit rack.
Good luck in your new venture.

Sounds amazing! Personally I love a hammock in the garden, nothing more relaxing.