Are star ratings important when booking a holiday cottage?

Knowing what your holiday cottage is really going to be like when you make a booking is really important isn’t it?

Feeling reassured that the property is of a standard you want can be quite an anxious thing.

That arrival moment, when you hold your breath hoping the property you chose is not going to be disappointing.

But how do you know for sure?

.. and what is the difference between 3 star, 4 star and 5 star in the cottage world?

We learnt a lot when we first renovated our stone barns and contacted holiday cottage agencies to help us with marketing.

It was interesting to discuss what star rating actually meant to them.

What is actually the difference between a 3-star, 4-star and 5-star property?

For many it wasn’t actually, the QUALITY of the experience, the fixtures and fittings.  It was more of a what you actually offer.

• Is there a shower?
• Is there a hot tub?
• Is there Wi-Fi?
• Is there off road parking available?

I remember one list I was handed, I shan’t say by whom.  But whether or not your kitchen was equipped with cake tins and a fish slice was a consideration when deciding whether we were 3 star, 4 star or 5 star.

Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to bake, but not on holiday and actually I don’t think I have EVER owned a fish slice!! 😊

Some attributes are important, I agree, but star rating doesn’t talk about the actual quality of the cottage, how does it FEEL to be in the space, is it luxurious and do you feel like you are having a special experience?

We were very fortunate to be recognised, early on, by The Independent newspaper as one of the top ten rural cottage getaways across the whole of the UK, but without that how would we have stood out, differentiated ourselves?

We are tucked away in a blissfully, quiet rural location which means that walking to the pub for a quick pint is not a 5 minute affair.

To some holiday cottage companies this would mean we were probably a 3-star location rather than the 4 or 5 star.

It’s not a one-size-fits-all measurement.

My approach now, having been through the process from a cottage owners’ perspective is to put much more emphasis on reviews and less on the official star rating of cottages we are planning a getaway.

You might like to consider the following when thinking about star ratings:

• Reviews – Past guest reviews are very helpful

• Photos – Speak 1,000 words

• Surrounding location  – A Google map search to see the actual location and what is around the property

• Access to the owners  – To know they are involved in taking responsibility for guests having a fabulous stay often makes a real difference in quality. In my experience properties looked after by management companies don’t often (not ALWAYS) offer the same personal, experienced level of service.

We are all wonderfully unique in our tastes and values which is why the world is such a great place, but to know what you are going to get when you arrive at your holiday destination and whether it meets your taste is lovely.

If you have the time to have a conversation with the owners before you arrive it can open up a whole new world or adventure opportunities.

I certainly know that if we had come on holiday to Pembrokeshire before living here, and didn’t know what we know now, then we would have had a very different experience.

If you can get local information like where to go to get a really good pub lunch at the end of a lovely beach walk or which takeaway prepares the best Thai food, then, well it just makes a wonderful holiday that little be more splendid doesn’t it.

Wishing you a truly delightful and unexpectedly lovely holiday cottage getaway, wherever you choose to visit.