What is actually included in the price
Before you hand over any money, get clarity on what the advertised price covers. Some owners include bedding, towels, Wi-Fi and heating in the base rate. Others add them as extras. The advertised nightly rate may not include cleaning, linen hire or charges for specific facilities such as a hot tub.
Hot tub use can attract additional cleaning charges, sometimes around £35 per rental, to cover the cost of emptying, scrubbing and refilling between guests. Some owners may also charge for hot tub operation during winter months, when heating and maintenance costs rise. Ask whether the hot tub is included year-round and whether there are any extra fees.
Check whether parking is included for the number of cars you need. If the property is on a holiday park, find out whether there are any day-visitor charges or site access fees. Clarity now avoids a line-by-line breakdown of surprise charges at the end.
- Bedding and towels: included or charged separately
- Cleaning fee: per stay or per night
- Hot tub, sauna or gym: any usage or maintenance charges
- Heating and electricity: capped, metered or unlimited
- Parking and site fees: how many vehicles and any visitor costs
Where you park and how you collect the keys
Key collection often involves a combination key safe, which provides access at any time. Traditional key safes pose a security risk if the code does not change between guests, so confirm whether each booking uses a unique code or whether the same number is reused.
If your arrival will be delayed, you must contact the owner so that alternative arrangements can be made, otherwise you may not be able to gain access. Ask what happens if you arrive outside the stated window or if your train is delayed. Some owners use smart locks that generate temporary codes; others arrange personal handover.
Parking deserves its own question. If the property has no dedicated space, ask where guests are expected to park and whether permits or resident schemes apply. On holiday parks, find out whether each pitch or unit has a fixed allocation and what the rules are for additional vehicles or visitor parking.
Check-in and check-out times
You can arrive at your accommodation after the check-in time on the arrival date and you must leave by the check-out time on the departure date unless arranged otherwise with the owner. Standard times are often between 15:00 and 16:00 for arrival and 10:00 for departure, but these vary widely.