What are the key things you'd like to see on a website...

paul

...for a self-catering property (or group of properties)?

(To any Americans reading this... self-catering = vacation rentals)

So far I'm thinking, the core things are...

- introduction
- info on the accommodation with lots of pics
- info on facilities
- rates
- information on local area and attractions
- map
- contact details

And possible extras might be...

- availability / online booking
- offers
- events in local area
- a blog
- a shop (eg. selling books/maps on local area, travel insurance, etc.)
- info specific to certain groups (families, couples, people with pets, etc.)
- info on local walks
- info on other niche interests (horse riding, golf, etc.)
- info on local restaurants, bars, shops, etc.
- guest comments/reviews (possibly even linking to Tripadvisor)
- awards (if applicable)
- press coverage
- mailing list
- competition
- foreign language versions
- webcam
- weather forecast
- ability to send pictures as e-postcards

Plus...

- a Facebook fan page
- a Twitter account

Any further input...?

Thanks.
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UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment

Kay · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:10 pm Post subject:

Good list, Paul.

If I was going on a self catering holiday, I'd find it incredibly useful to know what the kitchen was like and what kitchen equipment was available.

We rented a little house-boat in France a few years back and, despite it being tiny, the kitchen was very well equipped. (Yay for the French!).

We've been to self catering places elsewhere and apart from the sink and cooker, there's been just nothing. Sad

I would like to know beforehand what to expect.
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paul · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:20 pm Post subject:

Yes, good point... so some kind of inventory then.

What equipment is in the property (partly covered by the photos and facilities info, I suppose) but also what items people can expect to find, whether it be dishwasher tablets, toilet rolls, towels or whatever...

I know one place I once stayed they had a basket of items that visitors might have forgotten (eg. toothbrush, etc.) that could be purchased on an 'honesty pot' basis. Quite a good idea, really.

I think there are huge differences in terms of what is provided from one cottage to the next so it would be helpful if it was clear from the onset. The self-catering villa I stayed in in Crete last month came with a fridge/freezer full of provisions for the week; that's usually unheard of in self-catering circles.
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UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment

paul · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject:

Thinking further, maybe an FAQ would be helpful. I have been involved in a self-catering business before and you always used to get the same questions recurring again and again.

eg. what time do you have to vacate the cottage on the day of departure? when is the balance due? what time can you arrive at the beginning of your stay? can you arrange for flowers/Champagne to be in the cottage on arrival? etc.
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UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment

gowriter · Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:55 am Post subject:

Price.

I'll be honest. I look at prices first and then sort them from cheapest to most expensive.
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Techboy · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:56 pm Post subject:

Average temperature and rainfall throughout the year (if I'm an American booking a place in England a few months in advance)?

Techboy · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 8:58 pm Post subject:

Links to sites such as Eventful, BriteKite, etc.

paul · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:11 pm Post subject:

Techboy · Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:31 pm Post subject:

Sorry I got the spelling wrong, they do actually spell it correctly: brightkite.com

See brightkite.com/learn_more

paul · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:46 am Post subject:

Hmmm... does anyone use this? I searched for my town in the UK and it returned just 3 (all US) results. How might a vacation rental site use this, do you think?
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UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment

Techboy · Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject:

It has some activity in Milton Keynes, more in London. I guess it's just not that popular yet.

Kay · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject:

Paul, you gave me an idea for a Not Delia blog posting and I got so into the subject that I had to make two postings out of it. Laughing

I would accept that I'm probably atypical in how and what I cook, but my postings might give you some ideas.
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http://britishexpat.com

Techboy · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:23 pm Post subject:

I'll send you an invoice for my consultancy Laughing

I look forward to reading the posts!

paul · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:

Looking at the posts, I think Kay meant this Paul... off to have a fuller read now. Smile

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UK Hotels - UK Selfcatering
Luxury Travel - Lake District Apartment

Techboy · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 2:30 pm Post subject:

lol, oh yeah. Too confusing Smile

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