Can you catch me out?

Here’s a pic of DH test driving the new bar stools

We use holiday apartments a lot, the thing that always impresses me is if they leave a little gift related to the area, we were in Lincoln last year and they left some fruit loaf which is popular in the region, it was so good

You may already have one, I like to have a list of local eating places with a few lines saying type of food served and approx cost. I find them more accurate that trip advisor.

I always like nice toiletries and a welcome pack.

Agaa4 & Galaxy
There is a fabulous Booths 2 minutes from the apt. We were thinking of leaving a gift voucher in lieu of a welcome pack so people could choose a little luxury or two.
Is this a good or bad idea?

I would prefer a little ‘welcome pack’ to a gift voucher - and especially if it features something local and edible. Toiletries and a hairdryer are also good to have.

A place we stay at regularly usually has a shelf of books - take one/leave one in return, or just read during the holiday. We've always found that useful (I know not everyone will) but there were none this year, perhaps due to Covid regulations. We really missed it.

I think it was the personal touch that I appreciated so I would probably prefer a gift to a voucher. I dont mean anything dramatic! in one place we had a tea loaf in another scones, just something small.

Books, games, first aid kit?

O P here Lots of books, hair dryers, lovely hand wash but sorry no mini toiletries as we are trying to avoid single use plastic.

I always leave a tartan bag of home made tablet on the pillows.
A map of the area and a list of the places of interest locally including shops with my personal review of each. My mobile number. A welcome pack - bread, milk, butter, cheese, eggs plus anything else seasonal e.g. at the moment strawberries. I do leave basics like oil, salt, pepper etc. And detergent, conditioner and all cleaning materials. Tissues as well as small toiletries in the bathroom.
Where we go in the Caribbean there is always suntan lotion and after sun left by the owners.

Just returned from the best place we ever stayed at .

Welcome pack included local butter and cheese, organic milk, local biscuits, filter coffee , tea, good bread , jam , beer, Prosecco,

There was also a Nespresso coffee machine with a lot of pods.
A wine chiller , dishwasher, washer/dryer.

On arrival day we received a welcome message , asking if everything OK with our journey and the place .

Beautiful bedding from King Of Cotton .

2 hair dryers

Local books and assorted others.

Binoculars to enjoy the view across the harbour.

We always appreciate a welcome pack. We've just come back from one which was great. They left milk, a few tea bags, coffee, sugar, a few other bits n bobs. There were lots of pamphlets re places to visit. The only thing we couldn't find was the number of a local taxi service which would have been useful.

Bin bags, where to put the full ones and collection day. A list of local takeaway restaurants, bus timetable, if appropriate.

I think a lot depends on your target market.
I go away, on my own, with two dogs. I LOVE cottages that have scruffy old towels for drying down, poo bags ( I never need them, but the thought is there) and lots of throws or dog beds. I have npbeen to some real crackers?
But, then, I have also holidayed without dogs and love it if all knives in the kitchen are sharp, there is a non stick frying pan and spare bin bags etc.,
We once spent a considerable amount of money on a cottage, only to have to straight out to buy fairy liquid, loo rolls, dishcloths etc.,
On the other hand, our last venture had everything. Plus a bottle of wine, bacon, eggs, teabags and milk in the fridge, and a lovely card, welcoming us to the cottage and including numbers for takeaways, taxis, doctors etc.,
Absolutely brilliant.
Yours look lovely - good luck!

OP here! Yep been caught out!
Local taxi firm, great idea.
We are leaving coffee pods, tea selection, sugar , dishwasher tabs, dishcloths, anti bac and bin bags. Oh and loo rolls of course.

I think a few essential basics are always very welcome - milk, bread, tea/coffee, just until you can get to the shop to stock up. (Having said that, I tend to take a few bits to see us over the first day or so - cereal, pasta/rice, jam, small loaf, tinned tuna, along with toilet & kitchen roll, tissues, + bottle opener & sharp knife). Experience has taught me that not every holiday let has knives that are sharp enough or enough toilet roll to last the holiday, but other places have been like a home from home.
It's lovely to come to a place that has left a special treat, but of course, that's not essential but it is a lovely start to the holiday.

Oh, a torch & matches are useful, too & a little washing up liquid/dish washer tablets.

Mapleleaf Torch done, no matches as we don’t want to encourage candles.
I have provided room diffusers and led candles.
As a special treat I am leaving some pillow sprays.

Sago

*O P here* Lots of books, hair dryers, lovely hand wash but sorry no mini toiletries as we are trying to avoid single use plastic.

I’d stay with you for that one reason only. Well done ???

Kate1949

We always appreciate a welcome pack. We've just come back from one which was great. They left milk, a few tea bags, coffee, sugar, a few other bits n bobs. There were lots of pamphlets re places to visit. The only thing we couldn't find was the number of a local taxi service which would have been useful.

Definitely all of these. Plus extra pillows.

Books, pack of cards, board games would be nice. However, we stayed in self catering a month or so ago and the owners left a note saying that they had taken out a lot of the books, knick knacks etc. because of Covid.

Although a welcome pack is nice, I am happier if there is enough salt, pepper, cooking oil to save me buying those things. I like a full inventory in the blurb beforehand, so I know that I dont need to take certain things. We often need to buy a loo spray, or even a non slip bath mat once!
Encourage your guests to ask you questions beforehand about what is important to them. Get your photos to show the position of the bedhead( preferably not under a low ceiling) the height of the easy chairs, the stairs ( not steep, having a handrail) if your cottage is to be suitable for older people.
List of where to shop, eat.
We are just back from a lovely cottage but had to go miles for the nearest shop, so DH did not manage to get his daily paper. It is too easy to take things for granted, so spell everything out.

When we had holiday lets the thing everyone appreciated was the "basics " shelf. Tea, coffee, salt, pepper , oil etc. Dishwasher tablets, detergents for washing machine and general washing up.
If guests were likely to arrive late in the day we offered to deliver a small first shop at cost which was most welcome.
May sound obvious but turning up on holiday and not even being able to make a cup of tea or have a glass of wine ain't a good start.

Our last one didn't have books I don't think. They usually do. It did have extra pillows and duvets, plenty of coat hangers, dvds, map of the town was useful. Very well equiped.