Preparing Your Villa
Think like a holiday maker. What will your visitors want from a holiday home? They have chosen not to stay in a faceless hotel, but that doesn't mean
they will want to look at psychedelic wallpaper!
Here are a few tips:
- Keep the decorations neural: off-white or pastel shades will not offend anyone.
- Co-ordinate with splashes of colour.
- Go for quality. It costs more initially, but quality furniture will last longer.
- If there is a garden, make it as low-maintenance as you can. Weeds do not appeal.
- Have a lockable cupboard for your personal items that you will need when you use the villa.
- Provide everything your guests will need, including towels and bed linen.
Kitchen - Your holiday makers will eat out frequently, but provide all the cooking utensils you would need. If your villa will sleep 8, provide sufficient cutlery and tableware for 8. It sounds oibvious, but if there are just the two of you it is easy to think in terms of providing for two. Don't forget essentials like an iron and ironing board; toaster; and cleaning materials. Place child-proof catches on cupboard doors.
Living Room - Place easy-to-wash throws over sofas and chairs. Provide coasters to reduce the likelihood of stains. Kids can be hyper-active on holiday, provide board games, videos, CDs, and books. A map of the local area will be welcomed, together with a ring-binder of leaflets for local attractions - money-off offers will be popular.
Bedrooms - Buy good quality beds and mattresses. Provide sufficient hanging and drawer space. A hair dryer is a necessity to many people (although not to me!). Think carefully before you provide cots for young children. The Health and Safety Executive in this country advise that you change the mattress and sterilise a highchair each time a family with a baby rents your cottage, an expense that seems out of all proportion. Far better to tell parents to bring a carry-cot and explain why.
Bathrooms - Something like a jacuzzi bath could result in holiday makers choosing to stay in your villa rather than another advertised in the same area. Provide anti-slip floor and bath mats.
Outdoors - Low maintenance is the key. Pot plants rather flower beds. A hot-tub will bring in bookings. If you have a swimming pool, be aware that the French authorities have introduced safety laws in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents around pools. Even if you are not buying in France, it is advisable to follow this guidance.
WELCOME PACK
Many flights arrive at, shall we say, inconvenient times of day. It may be that your guests will want to go straight to bed when they arrive. When they get up they will be over-joyed if you have arranged for a welcome pack which includes essentials like milk, teabags, coffee, bread and fruit. A bottle of the local wine will go down well too. It gets the holiday off to a good start and immediately your holiday makers will like you and your villa! First impressions count and don't forget repeat bookings are terrific.
RING-BINDER
As well as the leaflets for local attractions mentioned above, include instructions on how to contact emergency services; when the dustman calls; the address of a chemist or local doctor; directions to a supermarket; and anything else that you think will help make your visitors' holiday a good one.
- Advertise Your Holiday Apartment -