What Would Make You Feel Welcome in a Holiday Cottage?

SAMHP_2

I know this is a bit boring, and not really in the 'welcome' category, but please give consideration to what might happen if there was an emergency..... it happened to us!
If your guests need to telephone the emergency services (eg Fire Brigade) they will need the full address and postcode of the property, and ideally these should either be printed out and left by the phone (if there is one), or left somewhere REALLY obvious - with directions if you're really remote.

Also, with regard to details of vets, A&E - PLEASE don't just give the address - type out full and clear details on a piece of paper that can be removed from the folder etc. and read out by the passenger to the driver. At home, we all know how to get to the vets or hospital, but when you're stressed AND away from home, it's vital this information is clear and concise.

Sorry to be so boring, but this small detail really can be a life-saver!
SAM

FiFi_Mad_Mum

As a none tea/coffee drinker, I would really appreciate a wee sachet of hot chocolate on the welcome tray. I also think the idea of a guest book where the guests fill in there own hints and tips i.e. places to go/avoid etc. we had this at an apartment abroad before and it was great. Furniture that doesn't look like it has been passed down through generations or came from a charity shop.
FiFi

Fen1

Please make sure that the place is warm and dry, even in high summer. I once went on a holiday at the end of June. It had been raining heavily all week, so by the time I arrived at the cottage the place was damp and cold. Not pleasant at all.

A few things I miss:

a footstool for putting up my feet in the evening.

a bedside clock, and a clock on the wall downstairs. It is amazing the number of places that don't have one clock in the entire place.

a mirror with a useful shelf/ dressing table nearby. I once went to a b&b where the only mirror was on the inside of the wardrobe door. I was not very happy about having my stuff on the floor. Pick up, put down, pick up , put down, tread on my glasses.......

Ms_Chocaholic

OP - where is this cottage of yours because by the sounds of all these suggestions it's going to be a grand place to stay

You'll be full for the next couple of years with MSErs alone :-)

ailuro2

When we first went to stay at Templand Cottages we thought it was nice of the previous renters to leave behind their bottle of cooking oil, jar of mixed herbs, cleaning cloths etc. there was also salt ,pepper, sugar coffee,tea in the containers and iirc a pint of milk in the fridge. Logs were FOC, which was a big bonus to us, they had a woodland next to them so it didn't cost much for them.

We went back and stayed in a different cottage for the summer, and found the same condiments and herbs in the cupboard and I realised it was the owners who supplied them. Of course we left behind T bags, coffee etc that we had taken with us, I think most folks would do the same. In summer the cottages all had their own decent sized BBQ (not gas of course) and there was a big games room with a pool table and a tbale tennis table, but best of all, on the wall was a rack of bikes and helmets of all sizes that were free to borrow for the day.

The main house door was open all the time, they had bookcases full of videos/DVDs and rack upon rack of books - if you wanted to take a book home to finish they asked that you leave a book you'd already read if you could.

wonderful place, the folk who ran it did a great job, although I thought the bathrooms were a bit outdated everything was spotlessly clean and in good working order, the owner was working on maintenance in an empty cottage the week we were there, he said because they were so busy he didn't always get as much upgrading done as he wanted to!

So, spotless cleaning, some basic condiments, enough stuff for a cuppa, free logs and a comfy bed, and I think you'll get plenty of return business. Oh yes, and non smoking too!

The keys were in the door for us, he came and offered to show us how anything worked, he was always around and about but didn't bother us unless we stopped him for a chat.:D

Thinking about it, we're overdue for a visit....they have a nice indoor pool in it's own wooden building, great for the kids, plenty toys, flippers, floats etc. Couldn't really ask for more.

Good Luck with your own venture! A visitor's book is always good, as ppl will write where they've been and enjoyed in the area.

ailuro2

I forgot, they had sweeteners too - lots of people use them, it was little touches like this that made it somewhere we felt 'welcome and looked after'.

Don't forget a nice simple to use website, with your postcode in the address, and a warning that the satnav might get confused as the postcode covers a big area if you're out in the wilds.

apexblue

This has been very interesting to read, not least what you have NOT found in your holiday cottage. A welcome tray, kitchen basics and cleaning materials should be part of the tariff, not so it seems. We do supply all the above and a Fact Sheet, DVD's, CD's, books. Kitchen timer and local paper are on the list now to supply. Also an option of Meet & Greet or Be Left Alone on our booking form as that seems to have come out 50/50 (with us being the latter). Again THANK YOU!

1jim

Have you thought of offering free wifi? I get withdrawl symptoms if I cant acess the internet for a couple of weeks. We are going to wales this summer and plan to book tickets on the snowdon railway and you get discounts if you book online (iirc) , also great for finding out about local attractions, wouldnt cost much a month to offer but would set you apart from others

apexblue

We do supply free Wi-Fi at the moment. However with this new Bill that's come into force where if anything is downloaded illegally we could get heavily fined we may have to reconsider.

Anastasia

We stay in Deganwy every year - the same house. We had meet and greet the first year which was nice. Now we just talk on the phone before we come. Usually there is a welcome note which I always appreciate. I have an online shop delivered so don't need anything else. All we want is a spotless house with everything there like a home from home even down to a mixing bowl to make a cake. We usually entertain while we are there.

I like the fact that the key is left securely and and we are not bothered during the week. I know the couple taking care of the house would come straight away if we needed them. Wi fi would be good but I wouldn't tell the children.