10 Things to Know About Self Catering Accommodation
Faced with all of the choices offered, potential holiday makers have a lot to think about before they click on that exciting “Book Now” button.
Hotel, B&B, guesthouse or self catering holiday home?
As a self-catering holiday home we are obviously a little biased… BUT, there are a couple of things to know about self-catering holiday accommodation before you make your final decision.
Here are 10 Things to Know About Self Catering Holiday Accommodation before you make a booking:
1. What is Self Catering Holiday Accommodation?
In short, self-catering accommodation refers to a property that provides the necessary facilities to allow guests to cater (i.e. cook) for themselves. It might be a holiday cottage, house, apartment, country mansion or something a little more out there like a tree-house, luxury tent or even a boat. It might also be described as a self-catering holiday or vacation rental.
2. What features does Self Catering Accommodation Offer?
A self catering unit is usually a free-standing unit that complies with all or most of the other holiday accommodation types. However, it offers dedicated self catering facilities to enable guests to prepare their own meals at their leisure.
The unit should feature a fully equipped kitchen to cater for the maximum people to be accommodated (including fridge, stove, cutlery, crockery, cooking utensils, cleaning equipment).
3. Can guests expect 24hr front desk/reception?
Simple answer: No. Self catering holiday homes are usually run by someone living off site. Unlike hotels, b&b’s, etc. someone will meet guests at the property, handle check in, hand over keys and leave guests to settle in privately. In some cases though, lock boxes are used and guests receive a pin or code to unlock the box to retrieve keys to the unit, ie. no personal contact upon arrival.
It is most unlikely to find a 24hr desk/check in facility at self catering accommodation.
4. Is the self catering kitchen shared?
No, the kitchen should be for the exclusive use of the guests, and not shared.
5. Are any meals provided?
No, no and again no.
Whatever the size and nature of the property, self-catering accommodation means that you will buy all your own food and cook your own meals.
This offers guests the flexibility to set their own holiday timetable, meal times, menu and holiday budget.
6. What living arrangements can you expect?
Whilst the budget and size of self-catering accommodation can vary considerably, there are a few things that you can expect where ever you stay. Some of these include:
Kitchen
Every self-catering property should have a kitchen where you can prepare anything from a simple breakfast to a full blown Christmas dinner. This will generally include crockery, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, bake ware, cooking utensils, a kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge, freezer, oven and hob.
Some listings will even include dishwashers and some may have the luxury of coffee machines and larger fridge freezers.
Facilities vary considerably between property types so be sure to check the finer detail to ensure the kitchen space meets your catering needs.
Dining & Living Areas
The dining area should have a table and enough chairs so everyone can comfortably enjoy their meals together.
The living area should have enough comfortable seating for everyone and will usually have a TV. Most self-catering holiday homes will provide free WiFi, and some will provide devices to play music.
If any of these or other features are important to you, it is worth double checking that the property has these facilities before you finalise your booking.
Bedroom
Beds are usually made up ready for arrival with fresh bed linen. The majority of owners also provide towels and hand towels. Just take note that some don’t, so double check this when you book.
Remember that this is not a hotel, so if you are staying for a week or less then it is unlikely that your linen and towels will be changed.
Bathrooms
Most holiday homes will have enough bath or shower facilities to cater for the number of guests accommodated. However, whilst some might provide ensuite facilities, others that won’t. Equally, some self-catering holiday homes might have showers but no baths – or the other way round.
The Boshoff, for instance, offers a main bathroom with a corner bath, toilet and basin, as well as one ensuite room with a shower, basin and toilet.
If your idea of a holiday is sitting in a deep bubbly bath with a glass of wine at the end of the day, you might be disappointed if the property only has a shower! It is therefore important to check how many baths or showers there are to ensure it meets your needs.
Parking and Outside Area
The amount of outside space really differs from property to property. Apartments or self-catering holiday homes in the middle of a busy city might not have a garden or parking space at all. However, in outlying suburbs you may find properties that will offer either a garden, patio or balcony with outdoor furniture such as a table and chairs and maybe even sun loungers.
Parking space is usually sufficient for the number of people accommodated at the holiday home. The parking space can vary from a simple parking area, an under cover area or in some cases even a garage specifically allocated to guests. Parking can also vary from on- to off site. If security and safety is of the essence to you, be sure to confirm where you will be able to park your car before you make your booking.
Jacuzzi, swimming pools and tennis courts are definitely less frequent but if that is on your wish list you will find properties that offer those areas.
Large rural properties on acres of grounds are likely to offer additional facilities such as on-site fishing and storage for outdoor equipment such as bikes, kayaks or a boat.
7. Can I expect extras like in a hotel?
Traditionally, self-catering holiday homes didn’t supply any household goods such as hand soap, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, and toilet rolls. However, it is rare today to find a self-catering property that doesn’t at least provide enough basics to get you going for the first night or two. However, don’t take this for granted. Check out what is offered before you finalise your booking and especially before you arrive.
Remember, if initial provisions are provided and you run out of anything during your stay, you will be expected to top up your own supplies. Holiday home owners will not be popping round to top up your supply of loo roll half way through your holiday!
8. What will self catering holiday home owners expect of you?
When you arrive at your self-catering accommodation you can expect to find it clean and presented in a neat and tidy fashion. Whilst the owners will appreciate you are on holiday, you will be expected to look after the holiday home during your stay and leave it in a similar condition to how you found it. Owners usually provide cleaning equipment to enable you to sweep the floor and wipe any surfaces during your stay.
Whilst you don’t need to leave the property sparkling, most owners will expect you to wash up, put away any dishes, empty the fridge and food cupboards and take the rubbish out to the bins before you leave.
9. Can I book a self catering holiday home for one night?
Usually not. It is rare that holiday home owners will accept one night bookings. Most will accept a minimum booking of 2 or 3 nights.
At The Boshoff we have a minimum stay of 2 nights in our 3 bedroom holiday home and same day bookings are not accepted.
The Boshoff Mini, our garden cottage, accepts same day bookings with no minimum stay.
10. Will the holiday home's owner live on site?
Some holiday home owners live on the property, or very close by. The owners or their property manager will greet you on arrival to give you your key, handle check in and registration. They will also show you around and answer any questions.
However, it is possible to rent a holiday home whose owner lives hundreds of kilometres away. In such a case the owners usually employ a property manager, listing agency or a housekeeper to look after the house in their absence. The owner is likely to send you details of how to retrieve the key from a key safe or lock box for self check in. They will leave contact details for themselves and the housekeeper should you have any questions or problems during your stay.
The Boshoff’s owners live next to the property and all check ins are done in person.
Do Your Homework Before You Make Your Choice
Like any other accommodation types, self catering holiday homes have many advantages and disadvantages. The bottom line is…do your homework before you make your choice of holiday accommodation. It will prevent your excitement from turning into regret.
If your holiday needs include budget constraints, flexibility and freedom to cook and come and go as you please, a quiet suburban or rural environment and no interruptions from cleaning staff, then self catering sound like the ideal fit.
However, if cleaning up, washing dishes and the likes are not your idea of a holiday, if you’re in need of a 24hr reception desk that can cater to your every need and if you want flexibility in terms of check in and check out times, then self catering options are perhaps not the best choice.
Like most owners of self-catering holiday homes, The Boshoff aims to provide a true ‘home from home’ experience, where you will find all the facilities that you would expect to find at home, and often more.
We take our guests’ and our neighbours’ safety and peace and quiet very seriously and to that end we have several terms and conditions in place that may not be ideal for some holiday makers or groups. We therefore urge potential holiday makers to read as much information as possible about potential self catering accommodation, including the fine print.
Make sure you know exactly what to expect before you click on the “Book Now” button to ensure that your holiday is as enjoyable and memorable as you dreamed it would be.
2 comments on “10 Things to Know About Self Catering Holiday Accommodation”
HANNELIE
August 25, 2024 at 2:20 pmSAL DAAR KOFFIE, TEE EN MELK BESKIKBAAR WEES, OF MOET EK SELF SORG DAARVOOR?
Riaan
August 17, 2025 at 9:38 amHo there.
Im aming to have a self catering unit at my home.
Do i need to be registerd to do it say at the municipality?
Any costs involved with authorities?
Thank you
Riaan