Can you catch me out?

I agree with the comments here, one of the nicest places we stayed recently was in Cornwall, the cottage was in the owners grounds so they were around. They left a lovely welcome pack of local goodies and home made scones (with cream and jam), all the basics were there (salt, pepper, oil, matches, washing up liquid, dishwasher tabs), they also left lovely hand wash (Neals Yard) and cut flowers in little vases in each room. Nice dog treats are a nice touch too if it’s a dog friendly place.
The place was small, but beautifully appointed.

Eileen, I am the same, no air fresheners or smelly polish or cleaning stuff, it just sets me off on one.

I used to hate it when you arrived at places and there were no things like a dishcloth, washing up liquid, surface cleaner, bin bags etc

Fluffy robe and ‘hotel’ slippers if there’s a hot tub.

I’m impressed that people leave expensive toiletries and gift for their guests. Why?
I agree with providing all the basics plus a welcome basket and fresh flowers.
It’s called self catering not a luxury hotel.
And we consistently get 5* ratings.
I think being nice and friendly helpful owners is more important than expensive luxuries.

As an aside I thought first aid kits were a requirement as well as fire extinguishers etc.

I leave cleaning stuff: Cif, spontex, green scratchy, loo cleaner and liquid hand soap and a new loo roll in each bathroom. Spontex, Fairy, scratchy, a small amount of washing liquid, and a few dishwasher tablets to start them off.

We supply torch, candles, matches, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, picnic plates etc and cold bag. Good quality china and glass and plastic equivalents to have by the pool. In general the kitchen and dining areas are well equipped including scales and coffee maker.

There is a hairdryer, vacuum cleaner, all sorts of brushes, mop and bucket, laundry basket, clothes airer, iron and ironing board. Dirty linen basket, non slip mats for the bath, hot water bottle, plenty of hangers in each bedroom.

Good quality bedding and towels including pool towels and tea towels.

Books, CDs, DVDs. A file with information about the property and surrounding area. A few suggestions for days out to interesting places, a list of restaurants with telephone numbers that we know are good. Brochures from whatever in the area.

The private gite garden has dining furniture with outdoor tablecloths and cushions, built in BBQ, a sandpit with toys, paddling pool with toys.

There are many pool toys including volley ball net, mini golf and croquet, badminton sets in the communal gardens. A boule piste is half way done and there will be a basketball net.

A list of medical centres, doctors, nurses etc with telephone numbers plus emergency numbers.

The only thing I think we lack is a food processor, but there is an electric hand whisk.

We have run this gite for the last 15 summers and generally get 5/5 star reviews so we must be doing something right!

One thing that’s been lacking in HLs we’ve stayed in, is a duvet suited to the season - so not a major-tog one in the middle of summer - with an alternative available in case of a chilly summer. Or chilly guests.

Oh, and I won’t stay anywhere without a king size bed in the main bedroom. I find an ordinary double so cramped nowadays, for two. I can’t think why they’re not more or less standard now, especially when there’s plenty of room for them.

As for supplies, I always take the basics now. I don’t want to have to go shopping straightaway. Including loo roll, after we once arrived at a place with 2 loos and no paper at all - when I was bursting! Luckily there were shops nearby, so dh was swiftly sent on an errand of mercy.

In the pre-let info send details of local supermarkets that will deliver in case your guests want to book an online delivery for when they arrive.
Supplies: I agree that it's worse to leave one of everything (dishwasher tablet, toilet roll etc) than enough for the duration of stay, it looks really mean when in total they only cost a couple of pounds. I don't expect extras like radios, alarm clocks etc because we mostly have mobile phones these days. Don't leave any 'extras' eg iron and board, unless they are inexpensive. I'd keep chargers etc yourself if you are near enough to drop them off - in my experience an agency won't do anything helpful like that.
Definitely have a welcome folder with every single thing explained and tel numbers for everything. Local market times are useful too. If you are welcoming children a few inexpensive, easily washable items, for them to play with.
I was so pleased that the last let we stayed at had a silicone pastry brush! I have 2 at home and use both every day - super spreading oil in frying pans etc - but wouldn't think to take them on holiday. OH points out that says more about me than the holiday let but, because of that, I knew it would be, and was, superbly well-equipped.
Best thing - comfy beds. People will leave a negative review if the beds are hard etc.
Nothing perfumed, I guess your apartment won't have the ubiquitous 'cosy' woodburner, thank goodness, which would make my eyes stream and make me wheeze.
Good luck with your venture!

A welcome tray on arrival....tea coffee etc. is always appreciated with some milk already in the fridge of course. After a long journey probably most people would appreciate this, with perhaps biscuits or cake. In the bathroom a couple of hooks for dressing gown etc is really useful, plus a non slip shower/bathmat as well.
Towels / tea towels should be part of the accomodations inventory not an added extra. A washer/dryer very useful too.
Also state where the car parking facility is. Not all have a driveway so make clear if it is otherwise.
Have a list of necessary information laminated and left in a prominent place. A small vase of garden flowers always looks welcoming.
PS a guest/visitor book will give you feedback so is useful to have. Good luck with your new venture.
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Autumnleaves

Notagran, would it be too personal to ask for a link to this gorgeous cottage/apartment that you stayed at? thanks

Happy to PM it to you , and anyone else ? It is in Padstow on Airbnb

I think if anyone has specific allergies eg to room sprays, fabric conditioner, polish etc, it would be best to communicate that beforehand.

All these suggestions are fab but the one thing that I always want is a full length mirror. I have stayed in dozens of sc accommodation and very rarely is there a full length mirror.

Sounds lovely!
I’d echo welcome pack as above. Doesn’t need to be free, can get expensive. Suggest you offer a checklist of what people would like ordered in with price, at cost is fine but factor in your time and petrol. I mention this because bacon, bread, sugar and salt go to waste if left for us, and in COVID times may need to be thrown out not reused.
You can end up letting at a loss if you are not careful and add a lot of lovely extras.
I’d also echo sharp paring and bread knives AND a cheese grater

Make sure electric plug socket is near a mirror for plugging in a hair dryer. It’s surprising how many ‘lets’ have a socket on one wall, mirror on another. ?

Milk!

Extra plug sockets ..if family all want to charge phones at the same time after a long journey.
Definitely list of restaurants, chemists, nearest cashpoint.
Bowl of fruit ?
Umbrellas.

WiFi, 5’ bed,

Definitely an iron/ ironing board : guests may be there to attend an event.
Oh, and when Nicole Kidman had a bit of bother with her companion on holiday, she was able to use the iron as a weapon on him.. just saying, you never know...

Maybe local bus time tables local Drs etc

Welcome treats.are lovely and I'm always grateful to have t hen alongside basics like coffee, tea, milk, salt. But the thing I really want is decent kitchenware. The number of times I've stayed in an expensive cottage and found the cheapest, tattiest, useless pans and dishes in the cupboard. Always a huge disappointment and annoyance.

Some fruit would be a lovely welcome! Plus some basic food as others have suggested. We once turned up at a house on an island - very hungry and very late because the flight had to be diverted. Shops shut and nothing at all to eat - and we resorted to eating chocolates which I'd brought as a surprise for Mr Apple on his birthday a few days later! Home made scones or local cake feel very personal and welcoming.

Don’t forget the manuals for the appliances we had an induction hob we weren’t used to at our last stay and would have struggled without the instructions . Corkscrew and bottle opener we found missing once ! But sounds like you’ve thought of most things Good luck xx

We stay in self-catering regularly. My important items in a house are as follows
1. At least one comfortable wing chair.
2. Sharp knives, two years ago, we forgot to take ours and went out and spent £130 on two decent knives and a knife sharpener. I usually take my own knives with me.
3. Our own pillows since Covid.
4. Decent saucepans and cooking equipment.
5. Crockery not chipped.
6. No stains on beds or bedding.
7. No smells of cigarette smoke.
8. Welcome folder with all local recommendations for restaurants, taxis, doctor and hospital details, newsagents, local shops and supermarkets.
9. Welcome hamper is always lovely but at least a bottle of wine and nice glasses.
I know we sound fussy but we spend a lot of money but expect high standards in return. We leave the house spotless when we vacate it and go back to the same places quite often.
10. We are very good guests and are loyal when we find nice places to stay.

Thank you all.

We are generally singing from the same hymn sheet!
Excellent beds, bedding, full length mirrors, plug sockets in the right places and sharp knives were all at the top of the list.
There is WiFi a 6” bed and a double, a bathroom for each bedroom.

I am going to stick to leaving a Booths gift voucher with a welcome letter.
We would rather buy some nice wine/ cheese than have cake or biscuits we would never eat.
There will be tea, coffee pods, dishwasher tablets etc.

I have done laminated sheets including a quick guide, all instruction manuals are in a file.

I know we will never please everyone but we will hopefully have a bright clean, comfortable and uplifting place for people to explore the area.

I will let you know ???