Have just got back from a week in a seaside resort in Dorset - 4 adults, one under 2 and a small baby. The property was very nice and in a great location but I'm not sure I'm BU to have expected a tumble drier. The place would sleep 6 plus a cot, in 3 double bedrooms, so you'd think it use mostly be used by families with children.
Th property is rated 4 star, so not one of the cheapest by any means. I will admit I didn't check before booking, but what with a couple of wet days, and just trying to dry all the beach towels, never mind the little ones' things - and DD had brought loads -it was something of a headache without a dryer.
I know some people have strong ecological objections to driers, and in fact I very rarely use mine at home, but I do think it's a bit different when you're on holiday. There were balconies but no washing line, and even if there had been it would frequently have been too damp for it to be any use. There was a drying rack, but it certainly wouldn't take everything and little babygros etc. were still not properly. dry after 2 days. One of the heated racks from Lakeland would have been an awful lot better.
I've just been looking in this holiday let agency's brochure and quite a few of the properties, however many stars, and those sleeping 6 or more, don't come with driers.
IMO this is just cheapskate on the part of the owners. I wouldn't expect it in a smaller place just for a couple of adults, but I'd have thought the agency would advise or specify it for any larger property evidently intended largely for families with children.
.
Yes Jalima, two of us, but we usually rent a place with 2 or 3 bedrooms for extra space or if someone wants to join us. We have to go in peak season due to work in education.
I agree, why not use the washing facilities (and electricity) on holiday if you've paid for it.
I agree £1000 high season is average. My DIL washes all her stuff when we are on holiday and packs clean dry stuff to take home- after all why not? She's back to work after she goes home and doesn't want loads of washing hanging round.
I'm obviously out of touch with holiday prices, but I thought the OP was referring to house/apartment rental prices, not the rates for a luxury 5 star hotel.
Ps and I have stayed in a few 5* hotels in my time I should add!
Not since retirement though
Although we have stayed b&b 4* in nice hotels abroad including flights for that price!!
Horses for courses
And food extra! The mind boggles.
Is that just for two of you Lillie?
Ana I know this isn't a thread about holiday property prices, but in high season we probably wouldn't stay anywhere less than 4* and would expect to pay around £1,500 near the coast.
A tumble drier is a must, as is a dishwasher, freezer and wifi. Sue is right, that's what you're paying for. If there isn't enough space for a tumble drier, then a washer drier is the answer.
Beach towels can be a problem, I agree.
We used to spread them in the back window of the car - dry really well on a sunny day!!
Those UV protection suits for toddlers are great for the beach and dry in no time.
I think the OP went to Dorset, of course they could have flown from a long way away
I would check the website or enquire by phone first, but, apart from washing a few things for the babies or emergencies, would not expect to do washing on a week's holiday.
With disposable nappies there shouldn't be so much washing
Although even in hotel apartments in Australia there have always been a washing machine and tumble drier - not so eco-friendly perhaps!
Maybe they even use public transport, including planes?
I'd expect a four star holiday let to have a tumble drier. Surely that's what you're paying more for - all mod cons?
As to why people don't take enough clothes for a week - maybe they have a very small car, like my Dh does.
Over £1,000 a week??? 
You woz robbed...
Well every holiday property I have stayed in over the last 13 years (since GS was born) has had a tumble dryer. We tend to go for high level starred properties. Have a look at other 4star properties in the area, if yours is a similar price I think you should contact whoever you booked it through and make a complaint, Good luck!!!
I agree totally with the OP. I took grandchildren daughter and husband for a 2week holiday in Seahouses, it was described as luxury and had a washer dryer. In fact if you know the weather on the ne coast then you either have beautiful days or it can be foul. You have to pack for every eventuality and so I would expect some washing. The dryer part of the washer was useless. I took a suitcase of wet clothes home and I will comment on their website when I stop feeling cross about it. It was over £1000 per week. In that time we had beach towels to dry and DGD had a period.
But most holiday bedlinen is taken away to be washed, isn't it? We always try to point out which linen has/hasn't been used but would never put it in the washing machine.
Witzend I'm with you on this. I certainly would expect a tumble drier on a holiday let, especially one so near the beach. Even in the middle of a British summer you can struggle to get towels dry and not everyone has a car that they can pile high with clothing.
Kateykrunch Why on earth would anyone want or need to do any washing on a one week holiday!! We always strip the beds and stick the bedding in the washing machine before leaving a holiday let - flight time permitting if we've rented abroad.
Never stayed anywhere with a tumble dryer would be delighted to have a washing machine even have never expected that, I take enough clothes for the one or two weeks and hang my smalls where I can, so from my personal opinion is yes you're expecting too much when it comes to babies you just need a babygro for every day and/or night and lots of disposable bibs and nappies Having lived in a country with a tiny baby when we only got water turned on every fourth day you learn how to manage and many things we think we can't live without can be worked round if necessary
jenpax what you say may be true but not everyone can/wants to fly so don't have much choice but to pay up. I've done both for many years and never have I felt the need of a tumble dryer or washing machine.
Anyway if its warm enough to get towels wet on the beach then the towels should dry quick enough, we just hang them up on the back of our chairs or even lay them out on the warm sand/pebbles/rocks whatever is near to hand.
Personally I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a tumble dryer on a beach holiday especially with very young children! Drying wet towels can be a nightmare and little ones get wet and dirty a lot! On the subject of UK holiday rentals they are all ridiculously expensive and you often spend as much on a week in one as you would on a holiday plus flights to Europe!
Did you mention it to the owners/agency, so that they might be able to explain/rectify for other users? There is always Trip Advisor to grumble on, as well.
I would definitely check that there was a tumble dryer if I had young children or a baby.
Of course they weren't usually available in holiday lets when our own children were young, but it would have made life a helluva lot easier if they had been!
Why on earth would anyone want or need to do any washing on a one week holiday!!
No I wouldn't expect one unless it was stated. If I wanted one I would check specifically.
Perhaps you could feedback your view that a tumble dryer is necessary and your reasons.
We have a visitors book and a housekeeping book and ask the gardener to read any comments in the housekeeping book on changeover day so we can rectify any problems. We had a leak from the bathroom to the kitchen one week (got it sorted straight away) and the people staying were fine about it. Another week we had no end of complaints (all actually unjustified) by a family that left the place in a complete mess.This isn't aimed at the OP by the way. I think I would expect a tumble dryer. I insisted that the S.O. put in wifi here, but that was so I could access gransnet and my Coral betting account! Best to contact the lettings people and say there had been a problem.
Registering is free, easy, and means you can join the discussion, watch threads and lots more.
Register now »Already registered? Log in with:
Gransnet »Get our top conversations, latest advice, fantastic competitions, and more, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
