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Follow on Google News | The rise of the ‘Super’ Holiday CottageHoliday cottages have come a long way from the chintzy and basic bolt holes of yesteryear. Farm and Cottage Holidays has developed the blueprint for the ‘Super’ Holiday Cottage of today.
By: Farm and Cottage Holidays According to Visit England a staggering 90% of us will be taking a break in the UK this year. This rise in demand, coupled with a general increase in consumer expectations has meant holiday cottages have had to raise the bar in order to attract bookings. “Over the 30 years we have been in business we have seen some dramatic changes in the market. We have noticed people now expect to see the same features of a boutique hotel such as Wifi, Hot Tubs, Sky Plus and iPods in their holiday rental. Owners have really stepped up to the mark to ensure that their cottages are offering just this hence the rise of the Super Holiday Cottage,” commented James Morris, managing director for Farm and Holiday Cottages. “Whether you want a cosy bolt hole for two with WIFI and a pub next door or a beachside house with a hot tub with room for two dogs and maybe a pet parrot, it’s now possible to find,” added Morris. Having studied recent bookings trends, listened to the demands of their customers and observed changing attitudes over their last 30 years in operation, Farm and Cottage Holidays has defined the five factors that make up the blueprint for the new Super Holiday Cottage. 1. The connection factor - In both the digital and physical sense holidaymakers want to stay connected whether it’s online or in the pub. • Farm and Cottage Holidays has seen a 50% rise in the number of properties offering WIFI over the past year. Tech lovers demand to stay online whilst on holiday • We are a nation of pub lovers. The most frequently asked question to the company’s call centre is ‘how far is the nearest pub?’ Over 60% of Farm and Cottage Holidays properties are within 1 mile of a pub and this search facility is available online. 2. The entertainment factor - From farm animals to pet, pools to swim in, Sky TV, WIFI and maybe your very own dancing pole, people are demanding properties with lots of options to keep everyone busy. • Farm stays seem to be a firm family favourite with parents keen to show their kids the real country life. Places like Corey Farm Coombe Barn in Bude is set on a working organic dairy farm offering the chance to get involved in milking and comes with its own children’s play barn with trampoline and scramblenet - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • Sky Plus packages, DVD players, iPod docking stations all have to be considered for new properties coming online, especially for those catering for larger parties. Also owners are branching out and developing features which make them stand out from the crowd. For the ultimate raunchy weekend away, The Pad is a luxurious studio apartment on the English Riviera with the added bonus of a full-size dancing pole, silk sheets and sparkling wine on arrival! www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ 3. The kitchen factor – Spurred on by a love of cookery shows, country cottages and beachside homes need that killer kitchen with kit such as food processors, coffee machines and juicers as well as the all important dishwasher. • Country style kitchens are particularly popular with city slickers, as they give them a real taste of country living. Thornewidger Barn in North Devon has a stylish open-plan kitchen, complete with Range cooker. www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • For the ultimate party house kitchen, try Neet Meadow in North Cornwall, where the well-equipped kitchen with Range cooker and American style fridge/freezer opens directly on to the spacious open plan living area. www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ 4. The luxury factor – Whether it’s a four poster bed or a hot-tub, properties offering that added pamper factor are the hottest in demand by far. • Great beds are key requirements. Long gone are the times when people accepted plastic covered mattresses and small lumpy twins. Beds are getting bigger and better. For indulgence and nights beside the open fire, Inglenook Cottage in Boscastle North Cornwall is the perfect retreat for two www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • Hot tubs are popping up everywhere to give the property that added gloss. Farm and Cottage Holidays has over 50 properties with the option of a long hot bubbly soak. For example oOrchard Lea Cottage in Langtree, North Devon, where the hot tubs is tucked away in its own trellised wooden shelter meaning you can chill out in style whatever the weather www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ 5. The good company factor – From bringing along the extended family, to making room for Rover the dog, Farm and Cottage Holidays have seen a noticeable shift in demand properties offering accommodation for over 8 guests and they offer a choice of 210 in total. The company had a recent request checking if they would accept a parrot in the property! • There’s no shortages of options for dog lovers (and their beloved pooch), Farm and Cottage Holiday have over 700 (that is over 50%) to choose from. Fisherman’s Cottage in Bideford has space for two four legged friends and sits right on the water’s edge so they can cool off too. www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • A number of properties offer the option of being taken together to help accommodate larger parties. Together Wooleigh Barton Stables and Threshing Barn can sleep 18 and with their own indoor swimming pool, spectacular valley views and gorgeous bedrooms and living areas, are the perfect pick for a larger party. www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ Most of the properties above cater for one or more of the super factors, but a growing number have it all… A couple of examples of the new ‘Super’ Holiday Cottage are: • Eastbank in Bideford sits on its own private road, offers internet access, a hot tub and has space for two pampered pets. With views over the river and close to yachting, cycling, beaches and that all important pub. From £785 per week (sleeps 10) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • You can take over Trelow Farmhouse in Padstow with 11 of your closest pals. This stone farmhouse also has a snooker room, an Aga in the kitchen and a huge dining room for celebratory meals and a hot tub. From £695 per week (sleeps 12) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ • Stay like a star in Blue Gates, a fantastic villa style property in Yelverton on the edge of Dartmoor. Bask in the luxury of the outdoor heated swimming pool or indoor whirlpool tub, entertain in the amazing farmhouse style kitchen, make the most of Sky world package available on all TV’s or simply surf the net with the free wi-fi. From £2895 per week (sleeps 12) - www.holidaycottages.co.uk/ To book a Super Holiday Cottage go to www.holidaycottages.co.uk or call 01237 459888. Farm and Cottage Holidays is the South West’s largest holiday rental company which has over 1200 properties throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. End
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