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How to maintain holiday home bookings throughout the winter

During the winter some holiday home owners might find that bookings start to decline. It’s an understandable seasonal trend, and the perfect time to get to work on preparing your property for next summer – but there are ways in which you can maintain bookings throughout the winter, and even increase them.

Women by the fire
62% of weeks booked were for non-school holiday dates

It’s worth noting that 62% of bookings taken on cottages.com were for non-school holiday dates, which shows that there is genuine interest in cottage holidays and holiday homes, even in the quiet winter months.

A log burning fire can be a beautiful feature as well as a practical addition
Christmas Home

How can I increase bookings in the winter?

If you’ve experienced low occupancy levels in the winter, there are a number of things you can do to increase bookings, no matter where your property is located:

  • Installing a hot tub is a great way of enticing people to book with you all year round. Even during the cold winter months, holidaymakers can stay outside late into the night and enjoy the relaxing hot water with a glass of bubbly.

  • A log burning fire can be a beautiful feature as well as a practical addition to a holiday home. With all the traditional country features, a log burning fire can be cosy and romantic – great for couples looking for a quiet weekend away during the winter.

  • Decorating your property for Christmas can encourage people to get into the festive spirit, and may even encourage them to get away with friends or family over the Christmas period.

Make your holiday home feel like a great winter getaway

Top tips for maintaining - and improving - bookings in the winter

Here are a few key suggestions that will help you to maintain and improve your winter bookings:

  • Communicate with your guests if you hear or know that harsh weather is on the way. Local knowledge can be extremely valuable in providing warnings to guests so they can take any necessary precautions.

  • Provide a few indoor games and activities for guests to enjoy whilst staying in your holiday property. It should also have all the home comforts they need to relax and enjoy their time away, complete with something to keep them occupied if the snow and rain traps them indoors – the perfect excuse to light the log burning fire we mentioned earlier.

  • Once your guests have arrived, it's always worth contacting them and ensuring that everything is working as it should. During the winter, problems may occur including frozen pipes and faulty heating, so checking that everything is in working order will show that you care about your guests and their welfare.

  • Guests may be cold and tired after a long drive, so make your property feel welcoming by leaving a few lights and the central heating on.

For more handy hints and tips on letting your property during the winter months, contact cottages.com and find out how our experienced regional managers can help you to market your property and increase bookings throughout the winter.

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