Over the years, we've stayed in quite a few holiday cottages, self-catering homes and Air BnB’s. Some have been absolutely wonderful, while others have left us wondering whether the owners have ever actually spent a night in their own property..!
And I've come to realise that it's not necessarily the most expensive or luxurious places that make the best holiday homes. Often, it's the little things. The thoughtful touches, the practical details and the feeling that someone has genuinely considered what their guests might need.
So, here's what I think makes a great holiday home.
One of our favourite holiday homes on the Isle of Skye.
First impressions matter
First and foremost, it needs to be immaculately clean.
Nobody wants to arrive after a long journey and discover stained carpets, grubby bathrooms or a kitchen that looks like it's seen better days.
Last year, we stayed in a property in Scotland that had enormous potential, but unfortunately hadn't been particularly well maintained. The carpets were stained, the kitchen was tired and tatty, the guttering leaked terribly and there was mould in the bathrooms. A few rooms were also locked, which somehow made the whole place feel a little unwelcoming.
It was such a shame because the property itself could have been lovely.
A holiday home should also feel tidy and uncluttered. I love artwork, interesting furnishings and homely touches, but there's a difference between character and clutter.
I rather like the philosophy that you should have nothing in your home that you don't know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. I think the same applies to holiday accommodation.
And a little consistency goes a long way. Coordinated furnishings, matching light bulbs and furniture that works together can make somewhere feel much more thoughtfully put together.
Get the basics right…
This is where I think some holiday homes really let themselves down.
Please, provide the essentials!
Hand soap in the bathrooms, toilet roll, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, cleaning cloths and basic cleaning products shouldn't be considered luxuries.
You'd be surprised how many places we've arrived at where there's no hand soap, or barely any toilet roll. Surely nobody wants to begin their holiday with an emergency trip to the supermarket just to wash their hands?!
Tea, coffee and a few kitchen essentials are always appreciated too. And if you're providing things like dishwasher salt or rinse aid, make sure they're topped up.
Then there's the kitchen equipment.
You can have the most beautiful kitchen in the world, but if the knives are so blunt they couldn't cut through a mushroom, it's going to be frustrating… A well-equipped kitchen, with decent-quality utensils, crockery and appliances, makes such a difference. And please, don't automatically buy the cheapest version of everything.
The same applies throughout the property. Large, soft, fluffy towels, a decent hairdryer, reliable WiFi and comfortable furnishings all contribute to a much more enjoyable stay.
It's the little things
Some of my favourite touches are also the simplest.
Hooks for coats, dressing gowns and towels. Shelves and storage space for clothes and toiletries. A dressing table or mirror with decent lighting, so you can actually see what you're doing when applying makeup!
And somewhere to put your jewellery, perhaps a little trinket dish. Little touches like this make a difference.
None of these things cost a fortune, but they're all things that make a property easier and more comfortable to live in.
I also love it when owners make a little extra effort with the decor. Attractive artwork, cosy throws, lamps and fairy lights can make a holiday home feel genuinely welcoming.
A thoughtful welcome pack is always lovely too. It doesn't need to be extravagant; a few treats and some useful local information are more than enough to make guests feel appreciated.
A clear information folder is essential, including practical things like how the heating works, when the bins go out and who to contact if there's a problem.
And if you're fortunate enough to have a hot tub, that's a wonderful bonus, provided it's clean, properly maintained and ready to enjoy - we’ve had two places where the hot tub was smelly and unusable.
Dogs allowed vs dog friendly – there's a big difference!
As someone who regularly holidays with dogs, this is something I feel quite strongly about.
Arwen enjoying the sofa in a Forest Holidays cabin.
There's a world of difference between a holiday home that allows dogs and one that's genuinely dog-friendly.
We've stayed in properties where dogs are permitted, but there's not so much as a water bowl provided. Then there are the wonderful places where the owners have clearly thought about their four-legged guests just as much as their human ones.
Dog bowls, towels for muddy paws, poo bags, treats in the welcome pack, spare blankets, throws for the furniture, perhaps even a dog bed. Information about local vets and dog-friendly places to visit is another thoughtful touch.
And, of course, a secure garden is a must.
None of these things is especially extravagant, but they make such a difference.
Then there are the dog rules.
Now, I completely appreciate that owners need to protect their properties, and they're absolutely entitled to set boundaries. But I do think those boundaries need to be realistic.
One rule we've encountered several times is that dogs aren't allowed in the bedrooms.
Really?!
If your dog sleeps in your bedroom at home, how exactly are you supposed to explain that they're suddenly banned from joining you for a week? Our dogs would howl all night!
Likewise, if your dog normally curls up beside you on the sofa, expecting them to suddenly understand that holiday sofas are off-limits isn't particularly practical.
The more thoughtful owners recognise this and provide washable throws, blankets or extra dog beds, making it easier for everyone to enjoy their stay.
There's a big difference between tolerating dogs and welcoming them.
Keep everything in good working order
Holiday homes inevitably experience wear and tear, and things will occasionally break. That's understandable.
What matters is that owners notice and deal with problems promptly.
Cracked fridge shelves with sharp edges, broken fittings, leaking guttering or faulty appliances shouldn't simply be left for the next guests to discover.
Regular maintenance and investing in reasonable-quality equipment can make a huge difference.
And here's a thought for holiday home owners: why not stay in your own property for a few nights?
Actually live there. Cook a meal, have a shower, unpack your clothes and go about your normal routine.
I suspect you'd quickly discover if there's nowhere to hang a towel, the kitchen knives are blunt, the bedroom lighting is terrible or there's nowhere sensible to put your washbag… Sometimes you only notice these things when you're experiencing a property as a guest rather than an owner.
Be available, but give your guests their space
There's a fine line between being a friendly, attentive host and being just a little too involved in your guests' holiday!
We've experienced both.
At one property in Yorkshire, we shared a driveway with the owners, who seemed keen to chat at every opportunity, often telling us about previous guests who hadn't followed their rules.
On one occasion, on holiday in Yorkshire, my husband and I went out leaving our adult daughter in the cottage with the dogs. The owner heard barking and actually peered through the window to check whether we'd left the dogs unattended!
At another cottage in the Lake District, the owner spent almost an hour chatting when we arrived, including telling us about previous guests who'd let their dogs into the bedrooms and how awful that was... (see comments above about unrealistic dog rules!). Later in the holiday, she commented on having noticed that we'd had a BBQ and been out all day. It might have been intended as friendly conversation, but it left us feeling rather watched.
A warm welcome, a quick explanation of anything important and an assurance that you're available if needed is absolutely perfect.
After that, please leave us to enjoy our holiday!
The best hosts make you feel welcome without making you feel watched.
It's all about thoughtfulness
Ultimately, I don't think creating a wonderful holiday home is about spending a fortune.
It's about attention to detail, good maintenance, practical thinking, and a little generosity.
It's about imagining yourself arriving after a long journey, perhaps tired, hungry and desperate for a cup of tea. What would make you feel immediately welcome?
And it's about remembering that while the property might be an investment or business for the owner, for the guests it's their precious holiday.
The very best holiday homes are the ones where you spend your time enjoying the holiday, rather than thinking about the accommodation. And those are the places we want to return to.
Read my reviews…
Some of my recent holiday home experiences:
Cottage on the Isle of Skye >