New holiday cottage - WWYD?

[ladyshale]

We're renovating what was the tiny old gardener's cottage to rent out as a small holiday home from mid-October and need some advice from seasoned UK holidaymakers.

It has one large bedroom (would take king size bed plus cot), and a large open plan living room/ dining area/ kitchen.

For context there is a fantastic pub and a farm shop less than 5 minutes walk away. The south coast is 15 minutes drive away.

Would you prefer:

Beds: twin (maybe that could be zipped together) or king or superking?

Kitchen: Is washer/dryer essential or
(Will have full size dishwasher, fridge/freezer, microwave)

Bathroom: we're thinking either bath with shower over and glass shower screen or shower room with attached sauna.

Any other things that make you keen to rent somewhere?

I booked cottages with a twin for myself and my daughter, if you are in an area for people such as walkers it’s always good to give them options.

A bath and shower, sauna sounds naff but maybe there is a market I’ve no idea?

If it’s large enough for people to stay more than a week in comfort a washer/dryer would certainly be a good extra.

Depends on your location and target audience.

I would prefer a King bed, if it's a small cottage it's probably more likely to attract couples?

Washer /Dryer is a must for me if I'm staying somewhere for a week... we tend to be out walking / climbing and would want to be able to wash wet / dirty kit. So if you were in more of a city break location maybe not as important?

Dog friendly is a must too 😃 . I happily pay an additional housekeeping deposit to take the dog, but always leave the place as I found it.

We stayed in a 2 bed place recently, and the 2nd bedroom had the option of a zipped together King Size or two (narrow) singles. That was a useful choice to have available.
There was a washing machine, but I don't think I've ever used one in a holiday rental - but those with a baby or wanting to wash beach towels etc.. might welcome it.
I don't think I'd bother with a sauna, to be honest. I also like a bath but we just had two double showers where we stayed (with a fixed rain shower head and a removable hand-held head) and it was fine. Didn't miss a bath.
It's nice to have a BBQ option, but not sure what the protocol would be for cleaning it.

I'd go for twin that can be zipped together I think. That wouldn't put us off renting as a couple and would widen your market.

I like a sauna but a bath is more useful.

I'd definitely want a washing machine. Walking and beaches generates a lot of washing and it is nice not to go back with mountains to do. And allows sensible packing for changeable weather. A cottage without one would have to be very tempting in other ways for me - one of the things I never liked about camping was losing holiday time to washing/drying clothes.

If there is room for a cot then definitely a bath. Babies in shower is a nightmare.

If youVe got room y9u should go for a zip together bed which can be a super king. People going on holiday want something nicer than they have at home, and for a lot of people a roomy bed can make a really lovely holiday! I sleep in a super king at home and really notice the pinch if I sleep in a 4 ft 6 inch bed when away with my husband.

A decent sofa bed in the sitting room might open it up to a wider audience.

Oh and definitely a zip together king size if you can squeeze it in.

Dishwasher more of a priority than washing machine.

For a one bedroom have one big bed. If I went with a friend or child I'd book a place with two bedrooms - fewer people will share. The zip ones are never that comfortable and when separate are narrow twins.
Definitely washer/dryer. Definitely bath with shower over. I doubt many will use a sauna, and there are many people who like a bath.
I'd allow a dog - you can charge a surplus.
Have at least twice as much cutlery and dinnerware as the amount of people you can sleep.
Good quality mattress, high thread count sheets, good quality towels.
Do not leave little notes around. Have a property info folder with wifi code, instructions for the TV, boiler and manuals for the appliances, number for local doctor/hospital/vet. Info when rubbish should be put out. Some brochures/takeaway menus.
A welcome basket is nice - milk, bread, half a dozen eggs is fine, or milk and a locally made cake. I'd also leave tea, coffee, salt and pepper, washing up liquid, rubbish bags, vacuum cleaner, mop, and other cleaning stuff. Some people like to clean!
Do a lock box for the key or greet them. Then LEAVE THEM ALONE. Nothing more irritating than the owner 'checking in', coming around to water the plants etc. I had one owner come five times in one week. Made me on edge the whole time.

The trouble with sofa beds is that they are poor beds and poor sofas. I’d prefer access to a z-bed for an older child as well as the cot. Twins which zip are a good idea for flexibility. I’d love to stay there - it sounds perfect.

Where are you? As looking to book a trip in October 🙂

King size bed with maybe a sofa bed in lounge.

Love a washer/ dryer on holiday.

Wouldn’t use a sauna......would use a hot tub though!

Good WiFi.

Just clean, fresh, unfussy. Nice crockery not old bits you don’t use.

King Size bed
No sauna (dont really see the appeal)
Dishwasher a must, but not too fussed about washer and dryer

Must for me:
Parking on site (obviously not something you can add, but make sure its advertised with)
Wifi
Well stocked kitchen

Nice extras:
Welcome basket with bread milk cereal etc

We have a sofa bed. It was top of the range and is more comfortable than our actual bed.

@FredaFrogspawn

The trouble with sofa beds is that they are poor beds and poor sofas. I’d prefer access to a z-bed for an older child as well as the cot. Twins which zip are a good idea for flexibility. I’d love to stay there - it sounds perfect.

No I have one which is comfortable as both.

washer/dryer is essential.

I always look for cottages that do not take dogs.

Beds that zip together to make a king/superking have a ridge in the middle and, unless you have a thick ‘topper’ on top of the join can be uncomfortable to sleep in as a couple. So that could put some off.

Would want a washer/dryer, if you hope to rent it for longer periods than a couple of days.

Shower over bath better than the sauna thing.

Thank you everyone- this is all so useful!

We're surrounded by very good walking country and not far from the beach so those are very good points about needing a washer/dryer.

I'll ditch the sauna idea and stick with a bath, DH wasn't keen either. I personally love saunas but perhaps it's a cultural thing.

There is a patio area with a BBQ and a brilliant wood fired pizza oven, though I doubt it will get much use in October! We also have a very old hard tennis court in very poor condition (including weeds and a hole) so I doubt our insurers would be keen to allow anyone to play on it until it is repaired but it is something for our list before next summer.

If you have any other things on your wish list (or anything you have hated in a holiday cottage) I'd love to hear them.

We have just come back from a lovely cottage on the south coast. It had a washing machine we didn't use but no dishwasher that we would have definitely used. Large comfy bed was a must. The one thing we missed was a smart TV. There was a TV with digi box (not many channels) but we would have loved to put our Netflix on a smart TV for the week. Good luck.

stupid thing but hooks in hall to hang coats. ..so many cottages don't have them. ....and books .I love a holiday cottage book

We always need a washer dryer as dh cycles a lot and needs to wash kit so would discount anywhere without that.

People always rave about hot tubs we have one at home anyway that we use a lot - friends that eye roll about it get very excited when their own holiday rentals have them I can’t help but notice!

I'm the type of person that uses everything in a holiday cottage, but even I wouldn't be excited by a sauna, or indeed pay much extra for it, but a good bath makes a bathroom appealing.

If you're looking for week long rents, then a washer/dryer is really helpful. I'd be ok with a zip link king. You'll need to decide if you're dog friendly or not. Is there an enclosed garden or outdoor area and is the pub dog friendly? If no to either of those I'd probably go dog free - makes furnishing choices easier.

Oh gosh yes smart tv. ..Our cottage this year didn't have one..It was surprisingly annoying

I always look for cottages that don’t take dogs too.

If you can fit a washing machine then definitely do. But if I was going on a holiday with just DH, the lack of one wouldn’t put me off. It would if I was going with the DC, but they’re messy buggers, just two adults creates much less washing.

I’d be happy with zip and link beds, have never found a ridge bothers me.

Just be aware that if you do decide to take dogs, you will rule out bookings from people with allergies.

A sauna seems unnecessary (and possibly expensive to run, but I have no idea).

As you say it is tiny then don't try and cram in more sleeping options - nobody really wants to sleep in the living room - you don't want to be tiptoeing around sleeping people if you are an early riser or stopping people from getting to bed if you are a night owl.

If you are renting all year round then make sure your heating is decent and have a really good idea of what it will cost as some holidaymakers can be a little careless - heating on full blast and windows wide open.