hi all. need some info from any of you holiday makers who have done the self catering holiday in ireland please.

what things would you have liked in your holiday letting that weren't there (for instance say, wash/face cloths), extra bedding, equipment, etc.

what in particular did you appreciate about your holiday letting?

was linen supplied free of charge?

were towels supplied free of charge?

beach towels?

baby equipment?

should pets be accepted?

really appreciate any input you can give. also, for folks who have never done the self catering holiday in ireland, perhaps you would say what you would expect to find in the house you rent?

thanks all for any input!

I'm Irish, but have taken a few self catering holidays around Ireland in the past.

what in particular did you appreciate about your holiday letting? comfort, warmth, peace & quiet.

was linen supplied free of charge? yes

were towels supplied free of charge? yes

beach towels? err no - this is Ireland!!!

baby equipment? don't have children yet so didn't notice!

should pets be accepted? yes - I love bringing my dog on holidays.

thanks cailin. re the dog - were there any rules? you know, like not letting the dog use the garden as a loo? thinking of later visitors here.

We've done self-catering in Ireland a few times, and will do so again.

Towels and linen were supplied free of charge, and we did have beach towels, too, in one place!

We didn't need baby equipment.

I really appreciated the washer and dryer. I also appreciated that the house was stocked with some food staples that we were free to use ---salt, pepper, tea bags, sugar, etc.

We travel from the US, so wouldn't bring a pet, even though she'd really love to come along.

The answers to most of your questions entirely depend on the individual owners/properties.

Some (probably most) provide most linens, some provide them for a modest weekly fee, and a few do not provide them at all. And some only provide them for overseas visitors, since it is hard to tote linens when traveling by air. So you need to double check w/ each website/listing.

Very few places anywhere in Europe, Ireland included, provide wash cloths/face flannels. They are usually considered a personal item.

Same for baby cots/linens - some do not have them. Some do and charge a weekly fee (and some places do not allow children of certain ages)

Pets are also a property-to-property issue. if the cottage is on a working farm it is highly unlikely pets will be allowed. Other places might or might not.

welovedonegal - there were no rules on the pets but, as responsible pet owners, we of course picked up after our dog!! I would imagine most people would do the same.

thanks for all the input so far. keep em coming! i better explain: the reason i am interested to this degree is that we are considering buying a house that will be let to the holiday market and i want to make it as good as possible for visitors we may have.

that is why i would like to know too what things not included for instance, were they included would have made for an even better holiday?

incidentally, i would intend to include linen, towels, beach towels (the house is near the beach). i would also include face/wash cloths as i see that many american visitors like them AND like the towels, they can be boil washed at the end of the week's letting. i would also include videos, boardgames, books, cds, etc. for the free use of.

i think one of the posters here saying about salt, pepper etc. being left for use is a great idea too.

any other pointers i would love to hear. thanks all!

(I do a lot of self catering in the UK - only once in Ireland but they would be quite similar) For overseas visitors some of the most useful items (besides the already discussed linens) would include:

A shopping option. The visitor could give you a short list of the basics they would like laid on. Many places I have rented provide a checklist w/ things like eggs, bacon/sausage, bread, tea/coffee, butter/oleo, milk, newspapers, etc. and ask which, if any I would like provided. The renters would pay for it after arrival. Often overseas visitors arrive after being up all night and even light grocery shopping the first day can be an ordeal.

A binder w/ menus and maps to nearby restaurants, pubs, cafes.

A binder w/ info from local tourist attractions, gardens, castles, etc. Most of the time you can get these for free from the tourist office. If you put them in plastic sleeves in a loose leaf binder, they won't "walk away". But if you have plenty you can leave them in a basket or box in the lounge and folks will take what they want.

If you intend to rent to families w/ babies/toddlers you need to decide about cots/linens, high chair, etc. Some provide them for free but many assess a small weekly fee.

Also - if there is not a place in the village where bicycles can be hired, you might want to lay on a few old ones. They don't need to be the latest, expensive multispeed bikes. Just simple bikes for families to use.

Ice cube trays. This may seem silly - but many Americans REALLY use a lot of ice. And many places don't have ice trays or only have two tiny ones w/ itty bitty cubes. Americans will love you if you have proper ice cube trays.

I'm sure I'll think of more but these are the first things that come to mind . . . .

hello janis, I read your message with great attention, I'm a new owner of a self catering acc. in Dijon and I'm glad to see that I supply everything you said! and even more (toothpaste, toiletries) the checklist is a good idea, I mean it is good to know before what guest like. actually I fill in the fridge with drinks (water, soft drinks, milk)eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, 4 types of jam, honey, small butters, different kind of French cheese... plus fruit, homemade cakes, sliced bread or baguette, cornflakes. and there are teas, infusions, coffees, chocolate drinks... pasta, rice, tomato sauce, herbs, sugar, salt vinegar, oil and dijon mustard (of course!)
plenty of Dijon brochures to take away, Dijon books (and magazines) to read. an umbrella which can be useful when you travel light ...
but you're right about a check list, I don't ask any money for that but if someone is vegetarian or hate cheese or whatever, it is good to know in advance. I have very friendly Australians living tomorrow and they told me they appreciated sausages and cheese for example. (not as much as Burgundy wines though ;-) ) I know they are cooking this evening instead of going to the restaurant, and I'm glad they enjoy staying in their home in Dijon.
you can have a look on my website even if I don't mention all is put in the fridge!
welovedonegal do exactly what YOU would be happy to find in a self catering app.!
good luck!
www.myhomeindijon.com

thank you all so much for the replies. and coco - your apartment looks absolutely beautiful.

I recently stayed in a self catering and was surprised with the lack of cleaning equipment for doing the dirty dishes.

Extra pillows are also nice to have.

Other than coffee and maybe a couple of bottles of wine, I've never had a stocked refrig with all the breakfast goodies. That's a real plus.

I know I shouldn't spoil them that much but I can't help it! ;-)I know another owner who told me I should not do that because after that every owner will have to do the same! so what! and if they knew what I offer them as presents to take home!