Making your holiday home a bit more Hygge
One thing we get asked a lot is, do your cottages have log burners? Guests no longer want home from home, often they want to stay somewhere that is better than home. No pressure then!
People work hard for their disposable income, so when they book a holiday, the bar is often already set quite high. This year in particular, visitors have spent almost 12 months at home, their home has been their work place, their school and their garden, a holiday destination.
You’re probably heard the term Hyyge, but what does it actually mean?
““A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being”. ”
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
So, let us ask you, what makes you click that ‘book now’ button?
Log burners? Comfy beds? Netflix? Hot tubs?
These are fast becoming regular items that guests come to expect.
So how can you make your holiday more Hyyge for your guests, here’s our top five tips:
- A comfy bed and a cosy space.
Quite possibly one of the most important things you can add into your holiday let. Holidays promote, rest, recuperation and a slower pace of life. No one wants to go on holiday and sleep in a bed with a lumpy mattress and get a poor night’s sleep.
There is a lot of choice out there, a mattress doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does have to be comfortable. Renew them when they’re old, protect them from stains and try them out once in a while. If you haven’t tried it, how do you know if it’s comfortable?
If you really want to go the extra mile for a good restful night’s sleep, consider blackout blinds.
2. Log burners and fires
This is something we get asked a lot. Do your cottages have real fires? A log burner or fire are the essence of Hyyge. Firstly, from a business point of view, it means that your staycation location has seasonal longevity against a property that perhaps doesn’t have one. It also means that after those brisk walks on the beach or out in the hills, guests can come back and warm their toes and perhaps their red wine, by the fire.
Many people don’t have a log burner at home, so it’s an added luxury to have one for a week in your holiday home.
3. Hot Tubs
There’s no doubt that staycation expectations have changed over the years. When my parents started out in the 1970’s, guests took their own linen or paid an additional £5 to have this available for when they arrived.
Adding a hot tub to your property often takes it to the next level and means you can seek a higher rental income. Providing you have the space for a hot tub they can be relatively easy to install.
For extra Hyyge and quirkiness, go for a log burning style of hot tub.
Remember, if you do install one, you have responsibilities for looking after and cleaning it and it’s an absolute must to make sure you research and carry out safety and hygiene guidelines.
4. Entertainment
Whilst often holidays are for exploring, seeking new opportunities, enjoying local food and drink. We have to own up to the fact that we do live in the UK and the weather isn’t always showing us it’s bright side!
What became even more evident over the past year is, some local facilities were unable to open, but for a time, holiday lets could continue to operate.
Therefore, it’s important to have a good offering of things in your holiday let may keep guests busy on damp days or at quieter times, particularly if you’re catering for families.
Think about, books, DVD’s, Netflix and board games for those cosy nights in.
5. Make cosy areas
You don’t just have to have a log burner to make things cosy, also consider items like throws and using different textures of soft furnishing, the colours you paint the walls, using low lighting options with lamps, window seats with cosy cushions.
Welcome guests into your property by offering them a big warm hug!