Hello,
We're new to hosting and from the outset, we wanted to make very discrete adaptations to our property that would make guests with some neurological conditions more at home. One of the ideas that came up in our research was to ensure face-cloth, hand towels and bath towels were different colours.
I went on a website that specialises in bed linen and towels for the hospitality industry and bought my supplies. They are 100% Egyptian cotton and while not the very deep pile, plush towels you'd get in a high-end hotel, they are new and more than adequate. The property itself is very small (it's stone-built, but more akin to a shepherd's hut in terms of space)
Our first feedback was that our towels 'lacked the wow factor' - because they weren't luxury, high-end towels.
If that's what is genuinely expected from a property like ours, then we'll happily invest in more luxurious towels, but do we buy some now, to avoid the same issue cropping up, or do we wait until we have a bigger sample of guest feedback to go off?
Secondly, we have a small kitchen, with just 2 electric rings and a microwave / grill, so we've added value (we thought) by also bringing in a Ninja dual air-fryer; a slow cooker; a soup / smoothie maker; a basic Nespresso machine and a hot chocolate-maker / milk-frother.
We were a bit disappointed when, in response to the email I sent our next guests, wishing them a happy holiday, explaining briefly we are new to letting and welcome any constructive feedback, we received a very curt reply, all in 'text speak' stating that they had to read 2 manuals in order to cook tea successfully!
Again, this is something we will definitely take on board and think about how we can streamline the advice in the Visitors' Manual. We're also investing in a new kitchen area over the winter, so that will definitely help.
We've put so much effort into making our cottage really lovely and welcoming and we're quite disappointed that so far, while family and friends who gave it a 'test drive' for us have been absolutely thrilled with it, our paying guests so far, appear to be pretty indifferent and unimpressed?
We've had specially commissioned furniture; new carpet; designer lighting; local artwork and brand new crockery, pans and cutlery and we offer guests a selection of high end loose-leaved teas and organic coffees (as well as mint humbugs!) I just don't get it!
If anyone would be kind enough to take a look at our profile, I'd appreciate it!
Birds Nest, Carrick Bay, Dumfries and Galloway
Thanks!