Top 5 Tips to Make Your Holiday Cottage Better Than the Rest

Top Tip Number 1 - Clean...Cleaner...Cleanest!ask yourself what makes it different from all the
Never underestimate the value of keeping yourothers? It could even be something like the addition
property clean and tidy. Encourage occupants toof black toilet paper (a la Simon Cowell!) to the
leave the accommodation as they found it, and ifbathroom!
possible ensure you always check the propertyTop Tip Number 4 - Get Rated!
before new occupants arrive. Simple things such asHaving a Star Rating will give you numerous benefits,
wiping over the coving with a damp cloth, running anot least a license to use the official logo on your
mop round the bathroom floor, and ensuring therewebsite and any other promotional materials. It can
are cleaning products under the sink is a great waycost from as little as £247 for one property for
to ensure your occupants arrive to a nice home.one year which includes the joining fee and
Top Tip Number 2 - Its all in the details!participation fee. You will also receive an exterior sign
You can really enhance your property even if youreflecting your rating which can be displayed outside
are on a budget. Make sure there is some fresh fruityour property. Properties in England are assessed and
on view and ensure there is fresh bread, coffee,accredited by Quality in Tourism, Scotland by Visit
teabags, sugar and in-date milk in the fridge. If thereScotland and Wales by Visit Wales. There are also
is a garden or patio area and enough space for one,additional schemes available such as Pets, Families,
a BBQ is a great idea, especially if its during theCyclists and Walkers Welcome, which can all be
Summer months. Ensure you provide grilling andjoined for an additional fee.
skewering tools however. Ensuring a good stock ofTop Tip Number 5 - Advertise!
toilet paper, kitchen roll and other basics would alsoThis seems an obvious point but there are lots of
not go amiss. Also, leave a welcoming note on theaccommodation owners who think they don't need
kitchen table with a contact number for anyto advertise or they think they can't afford it. In
problems. You could also consider creating areality, high quality advertising can be very
'Welcome Pack'. These small things will help to ensureinexpensive. The Holiday Cottages ( start their rates
your guests stay goes smoothly and will help themat only £35 (for the month of May only) for one
to associate your property with a feeling ofyears worth of advertising including 5 photos and up
relaxation and calm which will make them want toto 500 words of text. To get the best from your
return!advertising ensure you have good quality, well-lit
Top Tip Number 3 - Have a USP!pictures which show the property off to its best.
USP means Unique Selling Point. If you haveInclude an exterior shot as well as one of the
something, such as a swimming pool, agarden, and avoid bathroom photos unless it is your
state-of-the-art kitchen, or you offer stabling forUSP! There are numerous websites out there to
horses, make sure everybody knows about it! If youadvertise on, as well as newspapers and specialist
don't have a USP, make one - for example, if youTrade magazines you can get involved with, but we
have the space add a trampoline to the garden, turnthink that The Holiday Cottages is one of the best.
the smallest bedroom into a home gym, or ensure allBy following the points above you will be well on
the cookware in the kitchen is Le Creuset. There areyour way to having a property that will out-shine the
lots of things you can turn into your own Uniquerest.
Selling Point - look around the accommodation and