Boost your winter bookings with cottages.com

Winter throws up new challenges for holiday homeowners. With harsher weather, shorter days and fewer families travelling, bookings can be harder to find.

But with a little forward planning and the right amenities, you can entice new audiences to your property – like couples, groups, retirees and festive travellers. 62% of all the weeks booked on cottages.com are for non-school holiday dates, after all.

Here are just some of the ways you can transform your holiday let into the most irresistible winter hideaway.

Make it ultra-cosy

Your holiday home needs to look and feel extra cosy to lure in winter holidaymakers.

A log burner is often the biggest draw. They regularly rank among cottages.com’s most searched for features and while they are an investment, they can make a huge difference to your holiday let’s year-round popularity. If you already have one, make sure you have photos of it lit and roaring on your holiday let’s web page.

Hot Tubs are another popular feature, especially as they’re as indulgent in winter as they are in summer. Having one will open up your holiday home to a wider audience, like couples seeking luxurious escapes.

There are smaller changes you can make too, like having plenty of soft furnishings, adding mood lighting and ensuring your beds are made up for winter with extra blankets and extra thick duvets.

Provide entertainment

Your guests will naturally spend more time indoors in winter, so make sure your holiday home has everything they need to stay entertained. Traditional board games along with contemporary gadgets like HDTV’s, games consoles and Blu-ray players are ideal, especially if they have kids.

Embrace the Christmas spirit

Christmas and New Year are a popular time to get away and can make a big difference to your holiday let’s winter earnings. But it’ll need to look the part! Decorate your holiday home with all the festive trimmings to make the most of this busy period – just be sure to take photos for your holiday let’s web page.

At cottages.com we have a “Decorated at Christmas” search feature for properties with a Christmas tree, a wreath and an oven large enough for a turkey to help merrymakers find their perfect Christmas retreat.

Accept Short Breaks

For most people, Christmas and New Year are a busy period; there are always friends and family to visit and parties to attend! Not every potential holidaymaker will be able to escape for a full week away, so it’s important to offer short breaks and be flexible with your changeover days to maximise your holiday home’s appeal and work with the bank holidays.