Holiday Let Welcome Pack Ideas to Wow Your Guests

The effort you make to welcome your holiday home guests is one of the greatest opportunities you have to wow your guests. You never get a second chance to make that all-important first impression.

Today´s holidaymaker has high expectations, and they demand a level of quality that easily matches the fabulous hotels stays they have enjoyed in the past. And if you think about it, one of the best bits about a holiday is that very first time you step inside your accommodation in anticipation of how it´s all laid out, the décor, and what kind of welcome you are about to get.

Under promise and over-deliver

If you’ve ever received an unexpected extra touch on arrival at a hotel, like being offered a glass of prosecco by the concierge while you check-in, finding a plate of fresh fruit in your room, some cool drinks in the fridge and a handwritten note from the management, then you will know that it puts a smile on your face.

So how do you create a 5* hotel experience and replicate this warm welcome for your holiday cottage guests? Well, we think you can do it even better!

When your guests arrive from a long journey, they are probably tired, stressed and hungry. So, one of the most thoughtful things you can do is to offer a carefully put together welcome hamper full of little extras they aren’t expecting, with a personal handwritten note to welcome them to your holiday home.

The definition of “carefully put together” is where your creativity really can run wild. Savvy owners can turn this seemingly simple gesture into a real “wow” factor to make guests feel welcomed and appreciated.

What to include in your welcome hamper

The first thing most guests are going to want to do after arriving is sit down with a brew and biscuit!

Before guests arrive, ask them if they have any specific dietary requirements or allergies (vegetarians, vegan, gluten-free, non-dairy etc.) so you can tailor the welcome basket to their liking. Nobody likes throwing food away and it shows consideration.

• If you are running a high-end and luxurious rental with a premium price tag, your welcome pack and gifts should form part of your marketing strategy and be factored into your pricing accordingly. For such properties, think luxury touches such as chilled beverage on arrival, Haagen Dazs in the freezer, a selection of luxury chocolates, fudge or cheeses and chutneys. Focus on high-end quality over quantity.
• You may want to tailor your welcome basket to suit the time of day your guests are arriving: Nighttime arrivals might appreciate something they can make quickly for supper, and some herbal teas/hot chocolate to help soothe stressed travellers to sleep. Evening arrivals might also love having their first morning´s breakfast sorted out for them, so they don’t have to wake up and rush straight out in search of food on an empty stomach.
• Provide some sweets to keep kids happy for a few minutes while mum and dad unpack their bags.
• What you choose to include in your food hamper should vary depending on the type of guests you accommodate. If you’re renting out a 1-bed apartment for couples, it’s not necessary to go all out. Something as simple as tea/coffee/milk, bottled water, fresh bread & butter, eggs, biscuits, cheese or jam may be enough.
• Regardless of the arrival time, the smell and taste of a cake or fresh pastries from a local bakery are always appreciated!
• A really popular trend in UK farm cottage rentals is to include some fresh eggs and local artisan type products to showcase the area and what makes it special. For example, a typical cheese from the area or Devon cream tea with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
• Many guests like to do their grocery shopping online. Include the contact details of the local supermarket which does home deliveries so guests can arrange for their shopping to be delivered to your holiday home when they arrive. Maybe go that extra step by asking your guests if they’d like you to arrange any special supplies in advance.
• Better still, support your local village shop by setting up a pre-arrival guest grocery delivery service with them. Ask local suppliers for free samples that you can give to your guests in exchange for promoting their product e.g. honey, jams, olive oil or wine.
• Whether your guests are conscious followers of sustainable tourism or not, they will certainly love getting to know your region that little bit better. For added sustainability brownie points, be sure to tell guests a little about the ingredients and encourage them to buy more from the source.Prepare an “essentials” list of all the places you bought the supplies from, with directions to the local supermarket, delicatessens and a good bakery so they can very easily get stocked up and settle in for a relaxing stay.
• Market your rental as dog-friendly? Then don’t forget to provide treats for your canine guests.

A word of advice, DON’T leave any partly used leftover items from previous guest and check for any unopened tins/packets left in the kitchen cupboards that could be out of date.

It’s also a good idea to tell your guests what will be there on arrival, so they don’t have to waste their time packing anything unnecessary.

What about non-food ideas?

Here is where you can be creative and surprise your guests.

• Consider who is staying in the holiday party – if there are children then what would really delight them on arrival? The quickest way to impress Mum and Dad is to enthral the kiddies, so what will make them happy? Maybe some funky sunglasses, a magic colouring mat, board game, a toy or bedtime story. Include a soft toy who is ready to greet children as they arrive at your cottage as a gift for each of the children.
• Leave a handwritten note on a compliment slip with your logo and contact details, together with a special offer for their next stay.
• How about a carefully chosen gift they can take home so they have a special memory of their holiday? A candle of essential oils, sensual bath oils, chocolates, a beer can cooler or some comfy socks.
• Have some special postcards made up for guests to send to family and friends (with a discount). Include your logo, a photo of your property/the view and contact details (social media, website, telephone).
• Work with local suppliers to include their free samples and gifts in return for promoting their product – do you live near a cheese or wine producer?  Is there a theme park or spa nearby where you can get some discount vouchers?  Do some brainstorming and you will be sure to find some creative ideas here.
• To help aid a good nights sleep provide earplugs and eye masks.
• Leave a ‘covid care pack’ for guests to use during their stay with face masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes.
• We’ve all been on the way to our accommodation and realised (when it’s too late) that you have forgotten something important. Include a few essentials in your welcome such as travel-size toothpaste and spare toothbrushes.
• From your correspondence with guests, you may know they are celebrating something special — birthdays, honeymoon, anniversary etc. Leave a card, balloons, some fresh flowers or a bottle of wine to celebrate their special occasion. It’s little touches like this that will make their stay memorable.

Don’t forget to invest in a hand-woven basket lined with fresh straw to present the treats in each time you have new guests.

Making just a little bit of effort with your welcome hamper can reap huge rewards by making a lasting impression on your guests which can lead to positive reviews, repeat bookings and recommendations.

You may also find these articles useful:

• Looking for other ideas to include in your holiday rental? Here is an inventory list of over 200 essential items.
• Alongside your welcome pack should be the guest information book that includes everything they need to know about your rental and the area. Here is how to create the ultimate guest information book.

What would make you feel welcome in a holiday cottage? Add your suggestions in the comments.