9 Tips For Selecting A Holiday Cottage

Here are ten top tips on how to choose your next holiday cottage

1. Extra Charges

   Are there any extra charges for electricity or and extra winter heating supplement? Ask about use of the bed linen and telephone.

2. Heating

   Is there an extra heating charge? What about in winter? Ask if can you control the temperature or the timing. Find out if there is a wood burner and if the logs are supplied at extra cost.

3. Pet Friendly

   Does the cottage allow pets? How many and are there restrictions about where they are kept and where they can go? If you have pet allergies check if the property has always been pet free. Make sure that you have informed the owner if you intend to take pets.

4. Washing and Drying Facilities

   Is use of the washing machine included or is it coin operated? Where is it located (inside or outside in a shed or outhouse)? If you are doing a walking holiday ask if there are facilities to dry outdoor kit such as walking boots.

5. Bathroom or Shower

   Ask if there is a bath or is there only a shower. Find out how close it is to the bedrooms. Some people prefer a long soak in the bath after long day’s visiting so it’s important to check this out.

6. Activities

   The cornerstone of any holiday is what you intend to do when you get there so plan ahead. Ask the cottage owner if they provide tourist information to give you some ideas.

7. Is it clean?

   Make sure the cottage is clean when you get there. Any decent rental cottage will be cleaned on the exit day of the previous visitor so ask before hand what the cleaning schedule is.

8. Access

   This can be quite important if there are several people in your party who are arriving in multiple cars. Check before hand that there is enough parking, how secure it is and how close to the cottage. It’s important to know how far you will have to carry luggage after a long day’s travelling. Also consider wheelchair access if necessary and check before hand if this is accommodated.

9. Testimonials

   Quite often, unless you have had a personal recommendation, all you have to go on are testimonials. Check out the cottage website for testimonials and try to find some that may cover the time of year that you will be visiting (it may give hints to what the weather will be like). You don’t want to visit in February expecting full sun and high temperatures and end up with 4 feet of snow. Testimonials can also be useful for indicating what previous visitors have done during their stay. Browse through the visitor’s book when you arrive and remember to fill it in when you leave.