When you walk into any holiday home, first impressions are vital!
As a Holiday Home Owner you will want your clients to get that ‘wow’ feeling as soon as they open the front door. To maintain a successful business you need to aim for no less than 100% customer satisfaction. This is why you will want your Holiday Home to be clean, tidy, stylish & comfortable.
Every small detail is important ……and will be noticed!
To ensure you achieve this I have put together a handy Holiday Home Management Checklist that if followed will help you cover all areas and give your holiday home that WOW factor.
Hallway/Entrance
- Vacuum and wash floors so that they are sparkly clean.
- Clean mirror and dust blinds.
- Clean inside and outside door.
- Add welcome note & flowers for that extra special touch.
Living Room
- Clean and vacuum all floors/carpets ,not forgetting under all furniture.
- Dust everywhere, tops of pictures, ceiling lights and curtain poles.
- Clear all cobwebs and dead flies.
- Make sure all papers,magazines are restocked and up to date.
- Plump all seats and cushions.
- Clean and refuel the fires or log burners.
- Put guest information folder on coffee table.
Kitchen
- Clean fridge and freezer ensuring any old items are removed.
- Clean and anti-bac all work surfaces.
- Clean the oven and microwave, including underneath.
- Make sure all the crockery, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans are clean and well stocked.
- Clean and replace dishcloths and tea towels.
- Clean toaster.
- Wash all floors.
- Make sure bins are empty and clean with new bin liners replaced.
- Any welcome pack that needs to be refrigerated is put in the fridge.
- Welcome pack placed on the worktop.
Dining room
- Vacuum all carpets.
- Dust all table & chairs.
- Dust all decor and window ledges.
- Place a vase of fresh flowers on the table.
- Replace and clean all table cloths & mats.
Bedrooms
- Remove, replace and launder bedding. To add extra freshness spray some febreeze.
- Dust everywhere again.
- Check all wardrobes, ensuring there are sufficient hangers and they are all tidied and facing the same way.Tip putting in scented drawer liners and wardrobe fresheners is a nice touch.
- Remove any items that may have been left behind.
- Vacuum everywhere including under all furniture.
- Put a small vase of flowers on the dressing table a nice touch.
Bathroom/Guest toilet
- Vacuum and wash all floors.
- Wash and replace all towels and bath mats.
- Clean all mirrors and tiles.
- Clean blinds and dust window ledges.
- Clean sinks, no limescale.
- Clean all toilets, replace toilet rim freshener.
- Refill toilet rolls and style tip into a point. Place more rolls in a basket within the bathroom.
Garden
- Cut grass in both front & back gardens.
- Clear all leaves.
- Empty bins,including the recycling bin.
- Clean outside patio and all furniture.
- Water all plants and tidy hanging baskets, tubs and pots.
- Replace and remove dead plants.
- Cut back and tidy all bushes, trees and shrubs as required.
- Clean and check the barbecue is working. All utensils are clean and present and barbecue fuel is full.
- Sweep all paths.
- Check all outside lighting is working.
- Clean and check the safety of all outside play equipment.
General Tips
- Keep all areas clear and uncluttered.
- Check all batteries and light bulbs.
- Clean all skirting boards, door tops and handles.
- Clean all windows, inside and out.
- Check smoke alarm.
- Check First Aid box and refill if needed.
- Maintain checks on Fire extinguishers.
- Have keys together, clearly labelled and accessible.
- TV remote/DVD player instructions on coffee table.
- All Tourist information and guides on hall table.
Style Tips
- Bathroom Style Tips – add a room freshener and diffuser.
- Roll towels and alternate the colours.
- Add some pretty face cloths and soap by the sink.
- Hand cream and complimentary toiletries are a nice touch.
- Add pictures and home accessories to add bathroom chic.
- Maintain fresh light colours to all rooms and continually check decor is to the highest standard.
- Adding home decor to each room adds interest and shows attention to detail.
Holiday Home Management Tips (The Final Check)
- After each guest has left and you have followed the above list, go back and double check every room, wall by wall, room by room. Detail is key.
- Even better is to get a fresh pair of eyes that is less familiar and may notice something that is missed.
I do hope you find my Holiday Home Management Tips useful for managing your holiday home. Always remember attention to detail is so important and will guarantee your guests have a wonderful holiday, return for future holidays, and perhaps most importantly, recommend you to their family and friends!
If you own a holiday home in Dorset and need some help with decluttering, organising or restyling your second home, then please get in touch!
