With so much choice available it can feel like a minefield when planning the ideal trip for you and your family. Travel trends show that more and more people are now booking self-catering accommodation, rather than staying in hotels. We believe that self-catering holidays for families are a great choice as it gives you your own space to enjoy some quality time together. You also have the added bonus of being able to make your own meals, which could save you a lot of money compared to staying in hotel room and having to eat out, especially if you are in a big group.
Staying in self-catering accommodation can be quite a different experience to a hotel, so to help you, we have made a list of the top 10 things to consider when booking self-catering accommodation.
- What supermarkets offer online ordering and delivery?
One great trick to making the most of your self-catering holiday is to pre-order a supermarket delivery to your accommodation. That way you can take the time to think about all the food and essentials you will need for your trip and order it straight to your door. This will mean that you don’t have to spend time food shopping on holiday and will have much more time to relax!
At Glebe House Cottages all of the main supermarkets deliver to our self-catering accommodation in Cornwall, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Asda and Morrisons. Plus if your food order arrives before you do, we will happily take the delivery and put any food in the fridge and freezer, giving you complete peace of mind when you arrive.
2. Check to see what supermarkets are nearby
Even if you are planning on eating out during most of your stay it’s always worth having a quick check to see where your nearest supermarket is. No-one wants to waste a long journey just for a pint of milk or loaf of bread! It’s also a good idea to have a look at opening and closing times as not all supermarkets are open 24 hours, especially in rural areas.
We are very fortunate at Glebe House Cottages, as we are only 10 minutes from the stunning coastal town of Bude where you will find a large Morrisons (open until late), Sainsbury’s (home to the Bude Tunnel) and Lidl. Alternatively heading more into Devon we have a Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Co-op just 10 minutes away in Holsworthy. Also, as we live on-site at Glebe House Cottages, we are always happy to provide any necessary essentials such as teabags or a pint of milk to save you a trip!
3. Check to see what kitchen facilities are included with the accommodation
If you are planning on cooking while on holiday it’s a good idea to check what kitchen appliances are included before booking. There’s nothing more annoying than planning a big family meal and then realising that there’s no baking tray or frying pan.
We have thought about everything you could possibly need while staying at our self-catering accommodation in Cornwall. Whether you are just looking to make a simple sandwich or a full roast dinner for the whole family, you will find all the equipment you could need in your cottage. We have ensured that all of our cottages are kitted out with a fridge and separate freezer, a large oven, microwave and there’s even a dishwasher to help you clean up after. If you would like to know about anything else please get in touch.
4. Is there enough seating for everyone?
So you know you’ve got everything in your kitchen to cook the perfect meal, but don’t forget that you need somewhere to serve it too. Nobody wants to be eating a meal on their lap while on holiday, so it’s always worth checking that there’s a big enough table to sit at, with chairs for everyone.
Our self-catering accommodation in Bude, Cornwall offers a dining table and chairs in each cottage. We also provide all the cutlery and crockery that you will need.
5. Check how many rooms are available
Quite often a self-catering unit will mean that you have a lot more living space than you would have in a hotel. You could have an extra bedroom as well as separate living area. Having two or three bedrooms makes a holiday cottage ideal for families or larger groups and it’s a great opportunity to invite extended families or friends to join you while you’re away.
Here at Glebe House, our family friendly cottages have either two or three bedrooms, making it an ideal place for families or large groups to stay. We also have a few cottages with an internal opening, meaning that we can sleep up to 10 or 12 people all under one roof, with plenty of bathrooms and amenities for a comfortable stay.
6. Check to see what facilities are available on site
As your self-catering accommodation will have more of a living area than a hotel room, it’s quite possible that you’ll want to enjoy a few relaxed days on-site, as well as exploring the local attractions. Because of this it is well worth checking out what facilities are on-site to keep you and the whole family amused, especially if you are travelling with children!
At Glebe House Cottages we have a fantastic range of on-site facilities for families including a heated swimming pool, tennis court, formal gardens, a woodland walk, a 24 hour games room, fully licensed bar, children’s play area, hammock area, fire pit, trampoline and much more! Plus all of our self-catering cottages are installed with a router so you can enjoy unlimited free Wi-Fi in your cottage and we also have plenty of board games, puzzles and DVD’s that our guests are welcome to borrow, to take back to their holiday cottage.
7. Check to see what restaurants are nearby
While it is lovely having the freedom to cook what you want, when you want while staying in your self-catering accommodation, sometimes it is nice to not worry about the cooking and clearing up. So we think it’s always worth having a look at what restaurants are nearby. It’s a good idea to check if they are open all year round and to see how easy they are to get to from your accommodation.
Here at Glebe House we are spoilt with a fantastic selection of restaurants in Bude and the surrounding area. If you are looking to stay in one of our self-catering family cottages then make sure you check our recommended places to eat, as we have some great restaurants nearby to suit everyone’s needs.
8. Check to see if there is a bar or pub within walking distance
While it’s nice to enjoy a few beverages in your self-catering cottage, nothing quite beats the ambiance of having a drink in a local pub or bar. This is why we believe it’s important to check if there is a local pub or bar that’s within walking distance from your accommodation, so you can enjoy a drink without worrying about who is going to have to drive back.
Fortunately we have our very own licensed cellar bar with a great selection of local ales, ciders and spirits. The bar can be opened on request and we also host quiz nights every week in our peak season, which is a great way to meet other guests in a fun and friendly atmosphere. There is also the Bridge Inn within walking distance, which is a very welcoming pub with a pool table and even a skittles alley.
9. Check for a BBQ and alfresco dining
While it is lovely to prepare a home cooked meal in the kitchen, there is nothing quite like a BBQ outside in the summer sun, while enjoying quality time with your family and friends. That’s why we think it’s a good idea to check whether a BBQ is provided and if there are any tables and chairs outside, so you can enjoy your food alfresco.
Here at our self-catering cottages we have three large charcoal BBQs for our guests. Each cottage is also equipped with a BBQ set, including tongs, a spatula, a BBQ knife set and a set of skewers. There are plenty of tables and chairs dotted around our gardens, as well as an outdoor table for each cottage in our courtyard area. After your delicious meal why not light up the fire-pit and relax near the warm fire?
10. Check to see what parking is available
If you’re planning on bringing food with you from home, are doing a big shop when you arrive or are thinking of exploring the local area, it’s quite likely that you’ll be bringing your car with you. If so then it’s always best to check what parking facilities there are, as no one wants to be carrying heavy luggage or shopping from far away.
Our self-catering accommodation in Cornwall offers plenty of parking, right next to the cottages. With up to three spaces for each cottage, there will be plenty of parking spaces for you and your family. We even have room for camper vans, meaning that you can bring your surfboards or any other sporting gear with you on holiday!