What Would Make You Feel Welcome in a Holiday Cottage?

GobbledyGook

Can I just say one thing quickly, without wanting to spoil the good suggestions - for me as a hayfever sufferer who has a daughter with sever hayfever and very bad asthma that a vase of fresh flowers could potentially ruin the start to a holiday. I'm sure I'm not the only one in that boat.

The last place we went did have a very beautiful arrangement of artificial flowers (so realistic I did worry for a minute when we arrived) that looked just as good.

esmf73

This is a great thread! Only thing I'd say (having previously been caught out) is when you send out the holiday details in the post, do mention what you leave in the cottage, where the local supermarket is and when it closes (especially early closing !!!). Have previously turned up with nothing (except filled suitcases) and been delighted at whats been there, and disappointed sometimes if the shop has closed early!!

Now that we have young children I'd look at a cottage with a play area / climbing frame with a shady seat - where my OH could sit with the kids, whilst I sorted out inside! We're about to start holiday cottage holidays again now the children are bigger - so will keep an eye on this thread!!

jess444_2

I always think that a visitors book is a welcoming touch. The first few pages can be written by the owner, giving useful information / emergency numbers, etc. I have always found that people are happy to add their own recommendations for restaurants, things to do, don't bother going to ... Much better than the usual tourist information leaflets.
Jess

Penny-Pincher!!

We have stayed in a lovely bungalow in King's Lynn before on a few occasions and the lady who owns the property lives around the corner. She always leaves:

Tea towels
Towels
Small butter
6 Eggs
Bacon
Bread
Milk
Small cheddar
Orange juice
A bottle of wine once
Loo rolls

Theres always tea/coffee/sugar there too.

She would leave her number and address in case we needed her for anything.

We go to Centre Parcs occasionally and I think their complimentary tray is good. Few teabags, sugar, coffee, milk, dish cloth, dish washing tablets (3), tea towel, loo rolls (2). As we go with friends and cut the cost we usually add logs, fruit bowl and papers daily.

PP
xx

DCFC79

With me being a guy id like a list of places to eat(places you have actually tried or know people who have), places to see or nice walks nearby, maybe if kids are staying then something for kids to do, or as been suggested have a book with all this info in,

PasturesNew

Whatever you do will cost money - and put up the price of the booking... I'd prefer a cheaper price and no frills.

HalfPint

Hi,

We holiday'd in Conwy last year. In a self catering cottage what makes it great for us (as a no frills budget person) is having well stocked cupboards of basics (such as cleaning equipment, bin liners, tin foil etc).

Some toiletries (like in a hotel) is a nice touch and as someone else said, a welcome tray with tea/coffee & cake or biscuit. I wouldn't bother about wine/flowers, I think they are a waste (especially since some guests will be non drinkers like us) and also bump the price up.

Oh yes, almost forgot, SHARP knives and a proper chopping board (not the crappy glass ones and blunt knive blocks) We always take our own knives as inevitable the ones in the cottage are never sharp.

A keyholder or meet & greet doesn't bother me though it is nice to have a personal note from the owner welcoming us and giving details of who to contact if I have a problem.

As others have mentioned, I feel the file with details of local supermarkets/fuel stations/opening times/vet/hosp/doctor & things to do and see should be there as standard

What made our holiday in Conwy wasn't what was there on our arrival (although it was fabulous, having almost all that I have mentioned above & more), it was the lovely personal letter we received from the owners afterwards, thanking us for taking good care of the property, leaving it in a clean and tidy manner, hoping we had a lovely time and welcoming us back again should we so wish. We have booked again for October Half Term - I think that says it all. Oh and the price was a real budget one (just over £300)...a rare find these days for such a beautiful cottage, so rare I wont tell anyone which cottage!

hth.

HP x

greenface

good thread and lots of info
just the basics Tea Coffee Chocolate Milk Sugar

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Soap---And cleaning Equip Bin bags etc is good but all kitchen equip such as toaster kettle knives are a must
conwy marina is a nice all year place to visit and close to many places im in Caernarfon

apexblue

Thank you for all your helpful comments last year.

We supply free Wi-Fi but what about iPod's etc?

Tarry

When we stayed in a cottage in Ireland last October the host had provided tea, coffee, milk, a cake, some bread and the makings for a breakfast. We thought this was a nice touch. Oh yes, some tourist information leaflets where left out which was handy.