how many towels?

[dianefenoulhet]

Could anyone tell me how many towels per person are required to satisfy 4* rating for self-catering cottage? Cottages4You are telling me hand towel/bath towel per person.

[Andrew Clay]

I think in this case they're right, but cottages4you may have different requirements to VisitBritain in other things.

[greenbarncottages]

Towels (one hand and one bath towel per person) available with or without extra charge.

The above taken from the QIT Standards for self-catering accommodation (requirement for 4*) which can be found here (http://www.qualityintourism.com/asp/selfcatering.asp), assuming they're still up to date. I struggle with the idea of charging for towels, or any other "extras" (ie essentials), in a 4* property, but there you go.

It would be useful if a link to the Standards could be made a sticky, as a number of questions arise about them, and even knowing roughly where they exist it's still a challenge to find them!

[BVC]

It seems to me from the point of view of the guests' comfort then one hand and one bath would be the minimum. I always supply these plus an extra towel for kitchen, cloakroom etc. I always add an extra couple in the bathroom as well in case of mishaps. Does anyone charge for towels these days, I find that guests do not always require towels but do not expect to pay when they ask to have them provided. BVC

[dianefenoulhet]

Thank you everyone for your advice on the towels. Will provide extras to keep guests happy. Have just opened and on steep learning curve - so far so good. Been on your websites your places look lovely, hoping to get up there with you all. www.whitehousebarns.com. Thanks again for your help.

[katekirk]

I have just opened a 4 start holiday cottage and all bookings are via the internet and I request all the normal details. Name of guest, ad and telephone number. On top of this should I be getting them to register on arrival as they do in hotels?

[Der Alte Fritz]

I have just opened a 4 start holiday cottage and all bookings are via the internet and I request all the normal details. Name of guest, ad and telephone number. On top of this should I be getting them to register on arrival as they do in hotels?

Yes. You can buy packs of registration cards from several suppliers. This makes a handy place to store guest details for guests who may come again, credit card details (keep under lock and key), you may want to do a mailing to former guests, etc, etc.