@Holly471
Hi again Holly, No, I would never enter the cottage unannounced. When a longer term guest starts their stay I say to them...."Is it ok with you if I come in and change the bedding in 4 days time. I like to keep on top of my laundry and if you would just like to let me know when will be convenient on that day that would be great!"
Holly they are all appreciative of the offer and do like the notice that I give them!
Most times I will wait until I see them leave on the nominated day, but if they invite me in while they are there, that's fine, the main thing is....we have an arrangement in place.
And to clear up @Clare167 's point, I change the item coverings, not the items themselves.
I do not wash pillows, doona's or the mattress between guests.
I consider 6 months is a reasonable lifespan for pillows and I now supply 6 pillows for the main bed.....2 thin, 2 medium density and 2 thick pillows. This ensures I have all the bases covered as far as individual comfort taste is concerned.
As I have said, the bed is the centrepiece of my rental cottage. It is a specially made Queen size bed with an extra 8 inches 20 cms built into the length. It is 8 ft long and has 6 electric motors in it to raise the head, the foot and provide massage function. All my linens I buy as King Size to suit the length and we cut them down in the width and re-hem them to suit the queen size bed.
I know I go a bit overboard Holly but from years of travelling we got to pick the quality of places we stayed by the quality of the sleep we got and I wanted to make my guests experience second to none.....and hopefully that is what we have achieved.
Cheers........Rob