The thrill of booking a holiday can sometimes overshadow the practical aspects of finding suitable accommodation. It can be tempting to book the most Instagrammable accommodation, but finding one that meets your needs is equally important. Here, we’ve shared what’s really important in a holiday home, from big things, like privacy fencing, to often overlooked features, like shower water pressure. Whether you’re taking the family for a weekend in Sydney or bringing your best friends to Bali, read this guide before booking your next stay.
A Comfortable and Functional Layout
The perfect holiday accommodation will be easy to navigate and allow you to move intuitively from room to room. It will have clearly separated zones for different needs, such as sleeping, cooking, chatting, and relaxing, to ensure no guest ever feels disturbed. The furniture should be arranged in such a way as to accommodate socialisation and private retreats.
There should also be enough storage for all guests’ bags – bonus points if it’s tucked away out of sight. If you’re travelling with babies, people with mobility needs, or little ones learning to walk, it’s absolutely essential to find accessible accommodation with clear pathways, minimal steps and ample space.
Lighting and Ventilation
Natural light is king. Look for large windows and skylights that make the space feel bright and open. Warm, layered lighting in the living room, dining room, and bedrooms can create a lovely sense of evening ambience and enhance relaxation, while task lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms allows focus.
Depending on the weather, letting air into the space can work wonders for preventing stuffiness and overheating. The ideal holiday accommodation will have easily opened windows, ceiling fans, screen doors, an HVAC system, or a combination of the above to keep things fresh.
Note that curtains and blinds are just as important for keeping out light and cool air, especially at night. Blackout blinds in bedrooms assure guests a good night’s sleep, while privacy curtains in common areas keep family moments feeling intimate.
Soundproofing and Privacy Features
Noise control is so crucial when you’re hosting a group in a holiday accommodation. Double-glazed windows, sound wall insulation, and solid doors help keep your noise in and outside noise out. As a bonus, these features are also great for temperature control!
Private outdoor spaces like balconies and gardens should be blocked with privacy fencing, screens or vegetation, allowing you to gather and relax free from prying eyes. When booking accommodation, you’re not always aware of what the exterior of the property looks like or who the neighbours are, so with privacy fencing, it doesn’t matter – you’ll have your own oasis to enjoy. Look for landscaping, brick walls or privacy fencing that create even more separation between your holiday accommodation and other properties.
Safety and Security Considerations
Security is paramount, especially when staying in an unfamiliar location. The ideal holiday accommodation will have a secure entry system, ranging from the simple deadbolt lock to more complex setups with security camera doorbells and coded keypads. Motion sensors can add an extra layer of security along pathways and entrances.
Protect your physical safety by ensuring your accommodation has a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, and even fire extinguishers on the premises. To prevent tripping, handrails should be on indoor stairs and outdoor steps, and gardens and pathways should be well-lit.
If travelling with children, non-slip surfaces around pools are a must. In the wintertime, pools must be covered securely, and the swimming area should remain gated year-round. Likewise, balconies must be inaccessible to unsupervised children.
Kitchen and Dining Necessities
You’ll likely dine out more often, but you may also want to stick to your wellness routine and cook while you’re away. No one wants to lug around their entire kitchen on holiday! Your holiday accommodation should have full-size appliances, sharp kitchen knives, cutting boards, and enough cookware and dinnerware to meet the needs of your group. Coffee and tea will be a must for caffeine drinkers, and are a hospitable addition to many holiday accommodations.
When you’re cooking up a storm, spills are inevitable. But no one wants to pay an extra cleaning fee! Ideally, you can find a kitchen with wipeable counters and non-porous surfaces.
Convenient Bathroom and Laundry Setups
Bathrooms and laundries are the unsung heroes of starting each day feeling refreshed. Find a holiday accommodation with reliable hot water systems that won’t run out after one shower, so that all guests can wash up. It’s also a wise idea to check the water pressure – it makes all the difference between feeling fully clean and quickly rinsed off.
Both rooms should have storage, like shelves, hooks, or medicine cabinets, to hold toiletries and detergents. For long-stays, the laundry should have a dryer or clothes line, in addition to the washing machine.
Technology and Entertainment
Being unplugged on holiday is a great aspiration, though not always a realistic one. Just in case you miss your phone or your favourite YouTuber, check that the place has reliable WiFi for messaging, streaming, and social media usage (plus plenty of accessible outlets to charge your devices). And if there’s a smart TV with streaming services, that’s even better!
Key Takeaways
Choosing accommodation with soul sometimes means saving money on hotels and choosing private homes. While Instagrammable locations are great to see, they can’t guarantee a seamless stay. Look for practical design elements while travelling and feel so much more at home. Remember:
- Holiday accommodations should be easy to navigate with clear zones and, if necessary, accessible to young children and people with disabilities.
- Lighting and ventilation keep your accommodation feeling bright and fresh – but curtains and blinds give you privacy and a restful night’s sleep.
- Double-glazed windows, privacy fencing, and insulation give you the freedom to enjoy your holiday away from listening ears and prying eyes.
- Entrances should be secured with deadbolts or security systems for your safety. All necessary precautions must be taken for children’s safety.
- Holiday homes should have fully equipped kitchens and dining areas to serve your group’s needs.
- Check the bathroom’s water pressure and hot water systems to ensure all guests can enjoy feeling squeaky clean after a shower.
- WiFi and accessible outlets are musts – even for those hoping to go unplugged during this holiday.
