How to get a 5 star rating for your holiday lodge

How to get a 5 STAR RATING

for your holiday lodge

Our guests come in all shapes and sizes as do our lodges!

Many of them are on the look-out for that extra bit of luxury and will choose one of our ‘prestige’ lodges above another, because it gives them that extra feeling of pampering and treating themselves. Guests definitely seek out the 5-star rating when choosing a break.

We know that a luxury, 3 bedroomed, dog friendly property with garden or outdoor space, own WIFI, open fire, off road parking and a dishwasher, is the most booked type of holiday home (Source: Sykes Staycation Index)

Here’s our quick guide of what to do to make your lodge stand out from the crowd and how to work at getting that 5-star rating.

Left : Daffodils at Fallbarrow Park by Shaun Derby Photography | Top right : Keswick Bridge | Bottom right : Sunnybank Lodge, Limefitt Park

Interior design and decoration

Guests expect stylish, modern luxury, with space to relax, and be together with family and friends. If you can provide something with the ‘wow-factor’ or perhaps a little bit glamorous this is appreciated for immediately lifting that holiday mood. Although we can’t usually have open fires in our lodges, a ‘living flame’ fire gives the room character and a centrepiece of cosiness.

Exterior quality furniture, decking, and perhaps the very popular Hot Tub?

The outdoor space is very important when renting a lodge after all, it is often an extra outdoor room. Your guests will spend many a happy hour here, with a morning coffee, eating together, lazing and relaxing, or perhaps enjoying a sundowner.

Of course, it needs to be in good repair and kept clean and tidy. We can help you with that service. We also recommend you purchase excellent-quality lounging and dining furniture, that is weatherproof out here, along with an umbrella for shade. If your Park allows it, consider adding a Hot Tub for the ultimate pampering. Alongside searches for dogfriendly lodges, hot-tub searches come a close second. We are fortunate to have over 60 lodges with us that have both! If you do have a hot tub, we recommend some nice quality plastic ‘glasses’ for beer and prosecco, to avoid possible breakages of your glassware.

A slab for a barbecue is also helpful, along with barbecue tools (we always ask guests to bring their own disposable as cleaning the barbecue between stays is not possible for our housekeepers).

Make your lodge dog-friendly

We know that 65% of guests will be travelling with a dog! If you can add this factor into your lodge you are sure to drive more bookings. Why not provide some dog treats, bowls for water and food and poop bags. We always respectfully ask guests to keep pets off the furniture, and to bring their own dog towels and blankets with them.

Perhaps your lodge has an outdoor tap and hose pipe

for use in washing down muddy paws, and muddy boots? Even better if the hallway has space for boot storage and drying.

High quality furnishings, bed linen and towels

Hotel quality crisp sheets and fluffy towels really make a difference, presented professionally in each bedroom. You may need to consider updating them each year if your lodge is very popular with many changeovers.

Little extras go a long way Coffee machines, cafetiere, nice wine glasses and classic crockery sets, are all very much appreciated by guests.

Board games, walking books, and jigsaws are all welcomed for browsing and those rainy day moments. iPod and phone chargers and docks, bluetooth speakers, DAB radio, own WIFI.

All make for happy guests and their children!

Add a welcome pack

Tea, coffee, sugar, S&P, and perhaps some local biscuits or cake are a lovely welcome for your guests. Some of our lodges provide a complementary welcome hamper for guests booking 7 nights or more. Simply talk to us and we will order a hamper of your choice and monetary value from our local award-winning Farm Shop - Low Sizergh Barn. We will then get this sorted and delivered, and simply add the price/ value onto your account. Why not provide some locally sourced scented hand and shower gel for the kitchen and bathroom? Businesses like Bath House, Kirkby Lonsdale, can supply large ‘hotel’ style shower gels and hand gels, which may be easier to maintain and more cost-effective than small individual sizes.

Secure storage

Provide a secure place for bikes or sporting equipment. Many guests will be bringing bikes or water sports equipment with them. We realise that adding bike sheds is sometimes tricky to do – but if you could even consider providing a large plastic, waterproof storage box, perhaps with secure bike lock at the side of the lodge this would be appreciated.

Once you’ve kitted out your lodge and had some new photos taken, we can then start to promote it in the ‘Luxury & Prestige’ Lodge categories. This also commands higher rental income and definitely increases interest in your lodge.

Your guests will then really feel they have had a break indulging and relaxing in the beautiful scenery the Lakes has to offer and being pampered and looked after on a boutique-style getaway, with comfort and little extras to make the stay that little bit extra special.

Why not contact us for an informal chat about how we can help to hike up your bookings, and how to improve your lodge. Email us at owners@lakedistrictlodgeholidays.co.uk

| Right : Bosun’s Lodge , White Cross Bay Left : Footprints by the Lake, White Cross Bay

Jenny - Crossgate Luxury Glamping Hartsop near Glenridding | 1 Bedroom | 1 Bathroom | Sleeps 4

Nestled below the pituresque Angle Tarn, lies this delightful glamping pod Jenny. Sitting in the heart of a 5th Generation working family farm in Hartsop, Jenny offers a superb retreat for couples or a small family of four, with its timber clad interiors offering a rustic hideaway to unwind in at the end of an action-packed day.