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With so many beautiful Cotswold holiday cottages to choose from, making your property stand out can help attract more guests and encourage repeat bookings. From cosy interiors and thoughtful finishing touches to practical facilities, it’s often the little details that make a lasting impression.
Whether you’re preparing your Cotswold holiday home for its first guests or looking to improve an established holiday let, here are five ways to make your property even more appealing.
1. A cosy log burner or open fireplace
There’s something particularly appealing about spending a winter’s evening curled up beside a roaring fire, especially after a long countryside walk or an afternoon exploring. For so many first-time visitors, this is the picture-perfect Cotswold experience they imagined, reminiscent of something straight out of “The Holiday” – think charming and cosy country cottages.
Log burners and traditional fireplaces are a great feature of a holiday cottage, adding the character and charm guests look for when visiting the region. Any working fireplace or log burner should be properly maintained, with appropriate safety measures in place.
2. Comfortable bedrooms and quality bedding
Having good quality, comfortable bedding, mattresses and pillows are key to a memorable guest experience. Nice interiors help create a good first impression, but guests will also appreciate and remember a comfortable bed, quality pillows and fresh, inviting bed linen.
You don’t necessarily need to invest in expensive furnishings to achieve a luxurious feel. Simple touches such as crisp white bedding, soft throws, bedside lighting and blackout curtains can make a bedroom feel welcoming.
It’s also worth looking into flexible sleeping arrangements where possible. Zip-and-link beds, for example, can be quite useful for accommodating different sized groups of guests.
3. Dog-Friendly Facilities
Making your holiday cottage dog-friendly can help attract a wider range of guests, particularly those who wouldn’t dream of leaving their four-legged friends behind. With so many beautiful walking routes, charming villages and dog-friendly pubs to explore in the region, the Cotswolds is the perfect place to travel with dogs.
If you’re looking at making your home, pet-friendly, here are a few things we would recommend that make a big difference to the quality of stay:
- A secure, enclosed garden
- Easy-to-clean flooring
- Dog bowls and a dog friendly space for feeding
- An outdoor tap to clean any muddy paws before entering the property
Of course, we know that allowing dogs isn’t always suitable, and it’s important to consider what works best for you and your home.
4. A Well-Equipped Kitchen
To ensure guests leave with nothing but fond memories, we suggest including everyday essentials they would need in the kitchen, such as good-quality cookware, crockery and utensils.
Other luxurious items such as a coffee machine, dishwasher or slow cooker can also be useful additions, depending on the size and style of your property.
We would recommend putting yourselves in the guest’s shoes. Could you comfortably prepare breakfast or cook an evening meal using what’s provided?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track!
5. Something That Makes Your Holiday Cottage Unique
With so many beautiful cottages to choose from in the Cotswolds, having a standout feature in your home can be a real advantage to guests. These items could be anything from a freestanding bath, a games room for the whole family, hot tub or a convenient outdoor dining area to enjoy.
For some, the property’s Cotswold charm may be enough – being tucked away in a picturesque Cotswold village.
The important thing is to identify what makes your property special and ensure those features are highlighted in your photography and property description.
Make the Most of Your Holiday Cottage with StayCotswold
Creating a holiday cottage that guests love is just the beginning. Attracting bookings, achieving the right rental income and ensuring a great guest experience are just as important to making your holiday let a success.
At StayCotswold, we’re an independent Cotswold holiday letting agency with a dedicated local team who understand what makes a successful holiday home. From advice on presenting your property and professional photography to tailored marketing, dynamic pricing and managing bookings, we’re here to help you get the most from your holiday let. Our owner tips hub is also a useful resource of advice.
Whether you’re new to holiday letting, already welcoming guests or considering changing agents, we’d love to hear from you. Discover why owners choose StayCotswold as their holiday letting agent and get in touch with our friendly team to discuss your property.
