Elianne
13 November 2018
‘Little things mean a lot’ may be a well-known song but it’s also very true when it comes to finishing off your holiday cottage. Extra details and thoughtful touches will not only delight your customers but lead to rave reviews and repeat bookings.
Here are 12 ways to add the finishing touches to your holiday cottage:
1. Keep your cupboards well-stocked
Think about the things your guests are likely to need for their stay and make sure you have a good supply of cleaning products, washing-up liquid and dishwasher tablets – your guests really will appreciate this.
It’s also a nice idea to have a well-stocked condiments cupboard along with things like kitchen roll, kitchen foil, coffee pods (if you have a machine) and cling film. The expense to you will be small but it’s a huge benefit to guests and something they will be grateful for!
2. Welcome children and pets
Dogs even get their own chaise longue at Roseberry View.
If you say that your holiday cottage welcomes children and pets then make sure that you actually do welcome them. Leaving some dog biscuits or a little gift for a child is an easy way to show you have thought about your little visitors.
Make sure you have provisions for both in your property – things like high chairs, dog bowls and children’s toys and books are all very useful to have available.
Remember happy pets and children means happy parents and your property will stay in their memory for all the right reasons.
3. A signature scent
You can get some really lovely diffusers nowadays and adding a subtle scent to your holiday cottage is an easy way to elevate it in the eyes of your guests.
The sense of smell triggers memories and emotions so get your signature scent right (remembering subtlety is key) and you can make guests feel welcome as soon as they walk in the door.
4. Add some personality
Add warmth, colour and personality to your holiday cottage through things like cushions, artwork and lamps. It’s a way to differentiate your holiday cottage from others so don’t be afraid to add a couple of quirky touches.
You can get some great finds in vintage shops and there are lots of fabulous local artists in Yorkshire.
5. Provide top-quality toiletries
A luxury holiday cottage deserves luxurious toiletries! If you are going to the trouble of fitting a gorgeous en-suite, free-standing bath or top-quality wet-room then don’t let it down with cheap toiletries.
We recommend providing hand wash and lotion in all bathrooms along with small bottles of items like shower gel, shampoo and conditioner from a luxury brand such as Noble Isle or Elemis that guests can either use during their stay or take away with them! Small touches like this all add up in the eyes of customers.
6. Think five-star hotel
Many guests staying in a luxury holiday cottage are looking for a five-star hotel experience which means top-quality bed linens, comfortable mattresses and fluffy towels. You could provide bathrobes, bottled water and even a sleep mask to complete the luxury hotel experience.
7. A bountiful welcome hamper
Everyone loves arriving to a well-stocked welcome hamper and this is guaranteed to put a smile on even your hardest to please guests' faces. We always recommend trying to use local products – not only are you supporting local businesses but guests love it.
Remember lots of guests may be arriving late after travelling from work – they will really appreciate having things like bread, milk, eggs and cheese to make a light supper.
8. Top technology
People’s expectations have certainly risen in recent years when it comes to technology. Providing SMART TVs is pretty much expected by guests and Netflix and Sky TV are becoming the norm.
Bluetooth speakers and top-quality sound systems will also be appreciated, and it goes without saying that high-speed Wi-Fi is a top requirement for most people.
9. A warm and cosy arrival
Make sure your property is warm and cosy for your guests’ arrival – after all, no one wants to walk into a freezing cold holiday cottage! Make sure the heating is turned on in plenty of time and prepare your log burner so that it just has to be lit.
Make sure your hot tub is ready and waiting for guests.
If you have a hot tub then get this ready for the first night – jumping into the hot tub is often one of the first things your guests will want to do.
10. Off-line entertainment
Adding things like books and board games to your holiday cottage will make it feel like a home-from-home for your guests. We recommend having a selection of local interest books, recipe books and fiction available along with a few family-friendly games.
If you can provide information on walks and local attractions, this will also help your guests discover the best of your local area and make their holiday even more memorable.
11. A friendly welcome
You don’t necessarily have to greet your guests in person but make sure they feel welcomed into your holiday cottage. Providing a guest information folder is very useful – just make sure it has all the information your visitors may need to operate the various appliances.
Don’t forget about writing a personal welcome note to guests (perhaps on a postcard of your property) to help make them feel at home.
12. Get some feedback
There will always be something you haven’t thought of so we would always recommend having a trial-run with someone you know well (and who will tell you the truth about things).
Leave a guest book for your visitors to leave their comments (many people still like to do this on top of leaving their online review) and do take on board any constructive feedback that you get.
Gorgeous Cottages are the booking agents for around 180 luxury Yorkshire Holiday Cottages. If you are thinking of letting out your holiday cottage, give the team a call on 01642 263 249 to see how we can help!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.