With the demand for holiday lets growing every year, it’s essential to make your cottage stand out from your competitors!
In a competitive market, knowing how to make your holiday let stand out is crucial to attracting guests and ensuring your property remains fully booked. Whether you’re new to holiday letting or looking to enhance your existing listing, creating a memorable guest experience and showcasing your property in the best light can make all the difference. In this blog, we’ll share our tips on improving your holiday let, from standout marketing strategies to unique touches that will set your property apart from the rest. Let’s dive in and discover how to turn your holiday let into a must-book destination.
Carry on reading to find out how to make your property stand out by creating memorable stays for your guests…
1. Freebies
Everyone loves a thoughtful ‘freebie,’ and a welcome pack featuring local produce is a fantastic way to make a lasting impression on your guests. Not only does it show that you care, but it also gives them the chance to experience the unique flavours of the area. Guests appreciate learning about the local culture and trying regional delicacies, so a well-curated welcome pack can make your holiday let stand out. Here are some ideas for items you can include:
- Tea and coffee: A comforting classic to start the day.
- Local jams, chutneys, or spreads: A taste of the region’s best flavours.
- Bara brith or traditional Welsh cakes: A deliciously authentic treat for your guests (YUM!).
- Alcoholic beverages or non-alcoholic drinks for children: A refreshing touch to make them feel welcomed.
- Pet-friendly treats or small toys: If your property is pet-friendly, adding a little something for furry guests will make them feel right at home.
- Fresh flowers: A bright, welcoming touch that adds to the charm of the property.
- Fresh milk, bread, and butter: Essentials that ensure guests feel settled immediately upon arrival.
- Salt, pepper, sugar: The little extras that make a guest feel cared for.
- Biscuits: A perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of tea.
Including a thoughtful welcome pack not only makes your guests’ stay more enjoyable but also helps create an unforgettable first impression that keeps them coming back! Head to our Head to our How to Create the Perfect Welcome Pack blog for more tips and tricks on creating the perfect welcome pack.
2. Necessities
After a long drive to your holiday let, guests will truly appreciate the convenience of having all the little necessities covered. When you think about how to make your holiday let stand out, paying attention to these small details can make a big difference in ensuring your guests feel welcome and relaxed from the moment they arrive. By providing these thoughtful touches, you help them settle in quickly so they can flick the kettle on, sit back, and enjoy their stay. Here are some key items to consider:
- Toiletries: Items like bubble bath, mini shampoo, soap, and hand sanitiser are simple yet thoughtful additions that show your guests you’ve thought of everything to make their stay more enjoyable. It’s one more way of making your holiday let stand out by offering convenience and comfort.
- Cleaning supplies: Dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, and surface wipes are handy essentials that make a guest’s stay more comfortable. By offering these small touches, you’ll show that you care about their experience.
- Fire-starter kit: Including matches, a lighter, and logs or quick-light logs (especially for cooler months) is a perfect way to create a cosy atmosphere in your property. This thoughtful addition will ensure guests can easily light a fire, making it a memorable feature of your holiday let.
By providing these carefully selected items, you’ll not only make your holiday let stand out, but you’ll also offer your guests a more comfortable, stress-free experience. It’s these small details that help turn a good stay into a great one, ensuring your property remains a top choice for return guests.
3. The little touches
When it comes to making your holiday let stand out, the little touches can truly elevate the guest experience. Guests love themed cottages—whether it’s inspired by the seaside, woodland, or animals, adding a unique theme brings character to your holiday home and creates an exciting space for the whole family to enjoy. Soft furnishings such as colourful throws, fluffy blankets, or squishy cushions help create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, making your holiday home feel like a true “home away from home.”
Seasonal items are another great way to enhance the charm of your property. Why not add a Christmas tree, pumpkins for autumn, or Easter decorations? These thoughtful additions really contribute to the cosy feel of your cottage, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home. By paying attention to these details, you’ll not only make your holiday let stand out, but also leave a lasting impression that encourages repeat bookings.
4. Welcome book ideas
Why not create a detailed cottage guide filled with all the essential information about your property and the local area? This can include local restaurants, attractions, taxi numbers, supermarkets, the best walks, or even your favourite fish and chip spot! Many of your guests may have never visited West Wales before and might not know where to start exploring. By providing a comprehensive guide, you’re offering helpful tips and recommendations, which is an excellent way to make your holiday let stand out and ensure your guests have an unforgettable stay.
Your welcome book should also include key information such as WiFi codes and instruction manuals (e.g., how to operate the oven or Smart TV). You can keep this all organised in a filing box or, if you want to be a little more modern, create a digital version for easy access.
As someone who knows the area and your property best, providing guests with all the relevant information will not only help them feel more at home but also ensure their holiday runs as smoothly as possible. This is a great way to show your guests that you care and make your holiday let stand out from others they’ve stayed in.
5. Targeting the right audience
Who is your target market? Are you accepting pets? Is your holiday let family-friendly? These are important questions to consider when thinking about how to make your holiday let stand out. There are many ways to ensure your property is suitable for everyone, from families with young children to guests bringing their pets.
If your cottage is pet-friendly, adding thoughtful touches like a small bag of treats or a toy can make a big difference. While many guests may bring their own dog bed, providing dog blankets or a small mat ensures pets have a dedicated space to relax and stay off the furniture—another simple way to make your holiday let stand out as a welcoming, pet-friendly property.
For larger families, consider the needs of the children. If you have a large outdoor space, providing outdoor games such as a football, skipping rope, boules, or Swingball will offer hours of entertainment. For rainy days, board games like Monopoly, Cluedo, or Scrabble are perfect for family bonding. These thoughtful additions will not only make your property more appealing to families but also show that you’ve considered every detail to help your guests enjoy quality time together, making your holiday let stand out to the kids, as well as the adults.
6. Regular maintenance/ investment
After the busy summer season, it’s crucial to assess your holiday let for any damage or wear and tear that may need attention. Regular checks and maintenance are key to how to make your holiday let stand out by ensuring everything is in top condition for your next guests. Look for marks or scuffs on the walls, check that bedside lamps are working, test radiators and bathroom fans, and inspect the garden. If you have a hot tub, be sure all jets and headrests are intact. Addressing any maintenance issues promptly will prevent problems during your guests’ stay, ensuring their holidays run smoothly.
In addition to maintenance, it’s essential to carry out a deep clean after each busy season. A thorough cleaning ensures that your holiday let is spotless and ready for the next guests. This includes washing windows, deep-cleaning carpets, scrubbing bathrooms, and sanitising high-touch areas. A deep clean not only improves the appearance of your property but also boosts its hygiene, making it a more attractive and inviting space for guests. Our Spring Cleaning your Holiday Let blog will walk you through our top tips on completing a deep, thorough clean.
Investing in high-quality, durable linen and furnishings is another way to make your holiday let stand out. Luxury touches such as premium bed linens not only last longer but also elevate the overall guest experience. Quality items feel more comfortable and make your property feel inviting and well-maintained.
Additionally, consider upgrading your mattresses or adding a memory foam topper. Comfort should always be a top priority, and a memory foam topper is an affordable way to add extra cushioning, ensuring your guests have a restful sleep. These thoughtful upgrades are an excellent way to make your holiday let stand out and enhance your guests’ experience, encouraging positive reviews and repeat bookings.
7. Adding a unique experience or item
Last but certainly not least, consider incorporating a unique selling point that sets your property apart from the competition. This is a key element in how to make your holiday let stand out. A unique feature could be something as simple as a telescope, a stargazing kit, a trampoline, or a games console/room. These thoughtful additions can make your property more appealing to a variety of guests, ensuring that your holiday let caters to different age groups and interests.
If you’re aiming for the WOW factor, why not go a step further and invest in a hot tub, climbing frame, or trampoline? Properties with hot tubs, for instance, tend to make up to 54% more than other properties in the same region. Adding these luxurious or fun features will not only make your holiday let stand out but also increase its earning potential, giving guests something extra to look forward to during their stay.
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