What Would Make You Feel Welcome in a Holiday Cottage?

apexblue

We run holiday cottages on Conwy Marina in North Wales and would welcome your ideas as to what would make you feel welcome when renting a holiday cottage. What is your list of requirements that would make a cottage really special for your holiday? From basics to luxury treats. Thank you for your thoughts.

Also of interest if you prefer meet and greet or a key safe and be left alone.

and...a 3pm arrival 10am depart or 4pm arrival 11am depart. Many thanks!

Where do you look for UK holiday cottages online or offline?

Ivrytwr3

a very nice touch for us was one year the owner had left us a bottle of wine and a homemade cake.

mrstrw

Enough to make a drink of tea or coffee including a pint of milk is always a nice welcome. (not sure what your budget it, the wine does seem a lovely gesture) When we went to Italy I missed that the owners didn't give us local information. A book with recommendations about where to go / eat/ local shops etc is always useful and you could ask guests to add any places they particularly enjoyed.

A_Phoenix_of_Tangerine

Nice big folded fluffy towels, a selection of the days newspapers layed out, DEFINITELY a vase of fresh flowers by the kitchen window would make a lovely impression. Complimentary toiletries are also a massive positive when you're staying somewhere nice, as is a pint of fresh milk in the fridge and sachets of tea / coffee / hot chocolate and big clean mugs for when they first arrive. Maybe even a couple of big fluffy spa-type dressing gowns?! To be laundered obviously between visits. A welcome note. Maybe a couple of local takeaway menus. One of the biggest attractions that cottages have to offer, is if they have a working fireplace. If so, provide a small stack of fresh logs; nothing cosier than a warm fire in a country cottage, they were made for it

catkins

I think a vase of flowers in the kitchen and maybe living room are a nice touch. They do not have to be expensive bouquets - one cottage I stayed in had flowers picked from the garden. It just is very welcoming.

I agree about the milk and maybe a few teabags - it's nice to be able to make a drink when you arrive especially if you haven't brought anything with you and not yet been to local shops.

I personally like to see a book with leaflets on places of interest - gardens, castles etc, local restaurants (including takeaways), if possible a map of the area (one cottage I stayed at had printed out some google maps which had attractions and restaurants marked on them). It is also good if the owners give their views on the restaurants and attractions.

I also think a list of phone numbers and addresses of services you may need in an emergency such as local doctor, hospital, vet etc. I have never needed any of these numbers but if an emergency occurred it would be nice to have the number to hand instead of having to try and find it!

I also appreciate things like toiletries although never expect them in a cottage. Also supplying a hairdryer would be a good idea as I nearly always forget to pack mine!

Tigsteroonie

I'd agree with tea/coffee/sugar and milk for a drink on arrival - but lay them out on an obvious welcome tray, don't just hide them in a cupboard as we may wonder whether they were left there by previous occupants. For similar reasons, any toiletries would have to look brand new (hotel style).

Can I suggest a LOCAL newspaper? It's something I always try to buy on arrival, to get a feel for the area, but also to see any special events that may be on during the week of my stay.

lucylucky

Last cottage we rented in Cornwall left out scones, jam and cream for a lovely afternoon tea. That was really nice.

If you provide info on local places do make sure it is up to date and nicely presented.

p00hsticks

As someone who always holidays in such places, wWe don't really appreciate wine or flowers - I'd prefer to see the more useful items that you don't want to have to bring yourself or go shopping for, particualr the things that you won't use a lot of of.

So if you are offering use of a dishwasher or washing mqchine, leave half a dozen dishwasher tablets and soap powder tablets.
Kitchen foil, clingfilm, paper towels, washing up liquid, dusters, disinfectant & general cleaning items.
Salt, sugar, vinegar, pepper, mustard, ketchup etc.
A bit of milk and teabags & coffee for when you first arrive, and a toilet roll.

I now usually take oven gloves, a good knife and a kitchen timer with me as I've spent too much holiday time in the past having to try and find them to buy

Also:-
Directions to the nearest supermarket, newsagent, & petrol station plus opening hours
Takeaway menus
Details of local doctors, dentists, vet (if you allow pets) & A&E
Leaflets for local attractions

paulwf

My advice would be to make sure you live in it for a long weekend as if you were on holiday. That way you find out anything that is is lacking...silly little things can really niggle like loo doors that don't quite close, a lack of glasses and no coat hooks.

Info packs can be important...not just touristy stuff like places to visit but more importantly maps to the local supermarkets, taxi numbers, bus routes, how to work the heating, how to work the TV.

For us cooking stuff is very important including items such as cork screws and a cafetiere. A few basics such as cooking oil and salt & pepper can be useful as it's not worth buying those for a weekend.

Think carefully about including welcome packs of food and drink and newspapers. Firstly they'll increase your rental price by a tenner so you'll be less competitive on agency sites if you use them and they aren't really a marketing point. They also won't always be used. For example we stayed in a Warners chalet and they kept replacing fruit baskets that nobody ate...a complete waste. We're vegan so milk and scones would be wasted. Some people don't drink alcohol, others don't eat chocolate. If you went all out with flowers, wine, newspapers, milk and scones you might have to charge £20 more...I'd rather not have the extras and save the money.

pinkmami

A nice vase of flowers (esp daffodils when in season!), a nice bottle of wine (I've stayed in a cottage & I was asked upon booking if I preferred white or red!), bara brith, takeaway leaflets, bus timetables, tea/coffee/sugar on a tray. Salt & pepper is a good idea but I'd not like ketchup etc......I'd not use them cos I'd not know how long they'd have been there but it would be best to provide the small sachets you'd get in restaurants. If there is a working fireplace definately provide logs/coal & newspapers. Obvioulsy the useful kitchen gadgets like a corkscrew, kettle, toaster etc...whateve you'd have at home.

moomin75

I think the best things are everything you need to need to make a drink (fresh milk, a very tea bags, small jar coffe, sugar, maybe some squash or orange/apple juice for children) as when you first arrive anywhere its the first thing people do is put the kettle on!! all set out and maybe with a packet of biscuits. I also think a small fresh loaf with maybe some butter and cheese would make a good impression. It reall does depend on your budget because you could go on and on. Also depends if you are aiming for couples or families, as being a mum of 4 small children I think a drink and snack are important but romantic couples probably prefer a bottle of wine and flowers!!