Travel Wise with Stately Holiday Cottages
We strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to read the following information which is designed to help in your choice of holiday and avoid some of the most common pitfalls and misunderstandings. We try to be as informative and honest as possible in all our literature but please do not hesitate to ask our booking staff if you require any further information or have any specific requirements or concerns as we maintain a comprehensive database.
Stately Holiday Cottages was originally launched in 2001 in order to provide extra UK holiday opportunities for investors in the Holiday Property Bond. Today the programme is also available to investors' friends and family and to others who have shown an interest in the Holiday Property Bond.
Properties in Stately Holiday Cottages are all privately owned cottages and apartments designed and furnished to their owners' tastes and let by us as agents for the owner. They are managed to high standards but, overall, it should be recognised that these properties are not always furnished to the exacting standards found in properties owned by the Holiday Property Bond which you may also have visited. However, they are all equipped to a good minimum standard and many have been upgraded in line with our requirement. You should be aware that standards vary from country to country and there are enormous variations in the character, inventory, style and localmanagement structure within the Programme. It is therefore essential to read the property details carefully in order to ensure that you have chosen the best property/location to meet your particular expectations.
They are all equipped to a good minimum standard and many have been upgraded but there are enormous variations in the character, inventory, style and local management structure within the programme. It is therefore essential to read the property details carefully in order to ensure that you have chosen the best property/location to meet your particular requirements.
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE TIMES
It is essential to let us, or the owner, know your estimated time of arrival. Please comply with check-in/check-out times and any specific requests as detailed in your holiday literature.
COTS, HIGHCHAIRS & STAIR GATES
Cots, suitable for infants under two years old, can usually be provided on request but the type varies between sites. Most tend to be 'fabric-type' travel cots and whilst they should conform to British Safety Sandards, this cannot be guaranteed. An extra charge is sometimes made and cot linen is not always provided - see the relevant Site Guide issued with conformation of your booking.
Stair gates are not available.
DISABLED HOLIDAYMAKERS
We are always conscious of the need to locate properties which are appropriate for the disabled. Regrettably none are fully adapted. Sadly, we cannot enforce owners to carry out expensive adaptations. If you or any member of your party is disabled or suffers from any medical condition which may affect your choice of accommodation, you should always discuss your requirements with our booking staff and let us have a note of your problem in writing.
N.B. Please be aware that whilst we tend to highlight properties which are obviously unsuitable for anyone with walking difficulties, there are many others which may be unsuitable for a number of reasons. You should be particularly alert if a property is built on a hillside.
DISTANCES
Please note that all distances referred to on the website and in our literature are approximate although every endeavour has been made to ensure their accuracy.
EARLY/LATE SEASON HOLIDAYS
Please be aware that some facilities such as restaurants & shops may be closed or limited in certain locations during the early or late season (Match, Apri and October) and during the winter. Many National Trust properties are closed in the winter. It may therefore be necessary to have a car.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Please bear in mind that any electrical appliance, particularly dishwashers, washing machines, air-conditioning units, video and DVD/CD players can sometimes break down. Local management will do their utmost to effect a speedy repair but it could take up to several weeks to rectify if a special technician and/or parts are required.
HOLIDAY DOCUMENTATION
Fact Sheets consisting of a Site Guide and an Arrivals Sheet are available for each property and are regularly updated. They contain additional information to that found on the website and may prove helpful prior to your holiday. It is essential to take your fact sheets on holiday as they contain directions to your property and local contact details; for those on-line, they will be available for download from the links on your confirmation and/or rental charge invoice.
INVENTORIES
Property owners are anxious to comply with our requirements with regard to inventories. All comply with specified minimum standards and many supply additional equipment. Please note that all properties, except where stated otherwise, should be supplied with a hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Most owners do not supply a written inventory in the property.
LOCAL MANAGEMENT
The style of management differs from area to area and if you have any particular concerns please ask at the time of booking:
Management is usually carried out by the owners themselves or by staff in their offices. There are usually no reception facilities but points of contact are detailed in the information factsheet provided with your booking confirmation.
MAID SERVICE
Maid service, unless otherwise stated, is usually offered once per week; this means that it is provided on changeover day only (or the day before/afterwards in the case of a two week holiday). The property should be vacated on time and left in a clean and tidy condition with all washing-up completed, rubbish removed and any breakages paid for. Please ensure that BBQs are left in a clean condition as maid service does not cover the upkeep of this facility.
NEIGHBOURS
There are occasions when guests other than our clients will be staying in some of the properties featured in the SHC programme.
NOISE FROM LOCAL CONSTRUCTION
We take every precaution when choosing locations to select sites where there is no building activity in the immediate vicinity. However, on rare occasions, construction work commences without any prior warning to the property owner/agent which may adversely affect the holidays of those staying in a given property. Obviously, these circumstances are completely beyond our control but we endeavour to advise clients as soon as we become aware of any problem. See Booking Conditions for further information.
PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS
Kitchen Equipment: in many properties there are excellent fecilities, but if you are planning to do a lot of cooking it is important to read the information supplied carefully to avoid disappointment. All major kitchen items such as cookers, microwaves, fridges, washing machines and dishwashers are mentioned if available.
Studios: these are small apartments where beds are in the living area unless otherwise stated. They are usually only suitable for one couple.
N.B. Please note that a cupboard, bedroom, room or section in a given property may be closed and unavailable for use. In this instance, it is not usually referred to in our literature.
PETS
Pets are permitted in some properties in the UK & Ireland as noted in the property information. You should always confirm with our booking staff your intention to take a dog and obtain express agreement. No pets other than dogs are permitted and an additional fee is normally levied.
ROADS
Some properties are accessed by unmade tracks, some of which are well maintained - others can be very rough with potholes and occasionally steep. Please check our literature.
SAFETY STANDARDS
All SHC properties comply with UK standards. Please take all reasonable precautions and care during your holiday and remember to read any advice given in the property information folders in your accommodation. Particular attention should be paid to steep stairs and steps which may not have handrails, particularly in older properties. Children should be supervised at all times.
SECURITY OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Please read all the notes in your property about security and heed any local advice.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Any special request should be put in writing to us and whilst we will make every effort to adhere to your requests, we cannot guarantee that we will always be successful. At the time of booking please advise our reservations staff of any special requirements.
STUDIOS
Studios are small apartments where the bedroom is incorporated in the living area unless otherwise stated. They are usually only suitable for one couple.
SWIMMING POOLS
Very few properties have access to a swimming pool. Please note the following:
Measurements: approximate pool dimensions (measurements can be distorted if the pool is an irregular shape) and depths are usually given in the literature but please note that some pools may not have a shallow area and the deep end can be over 2m.
Safety: please read any swimming pool advice provided locally. Please note that inflatables are not allowed in any communal pool and that diving is not permitted - if you require any further information about a particular pool, our booking staff would be pleased to advise you.
Pool towels: not available unless otherwise stated.
Heating: unheated unless otherwise stated.
TELEPHONES
Telephones are not available in the majority of properties. If you have chosen a relatively isolated or detached property with no telephone and are worried about being out of contact, we suggest that you take a mobile phone suitable for use in that area. Do please bear in mind, however, that in some areas mobile phone coverage may be poor or non existent.
TELEVISIONS, DVD/VIDEO PLAYERS
Televisions are only available when referred to in the literature. Please refer to the relevant Site Guide for up-to-date information.
DVD/Video players - many properties are now equipped with DVD players (most do not record) but please note that a DVD library is not normally available. Video players are gradually being withdrawn.
WAITING LISTS
Many property contracts are signed on an annual basis and whilst we do our best to finalise contracts as early as possible in the year prior to the commencement date, some arrangements are only signed and sealed towards the end of the year. Please feel free to register your interest in any property featured on our website and do not hesitate to contact our bookings staff for up-to-date information. However, we can never guarantee that any contract will be available until it is actually signed.
WiFi
Several owners have installed WiFi facilities either in individual properties or in communal areas for those taking their own laptops or smart phones. You should be aware that within a property or on a site access may be limited to certain spots (ie only on an apartment balcony rather than inside). Please note that SHC does not accept any responsibility if this service is unavailable for any reason.
WILDLIFE
You are likely to encounter insects such as ants as well as midges in hilly wooded areas such as Scotland; you should therefore use appropriate repellents. The common fly can sometimes be a nuisance especially in farming or country areas. Stray rodents are not uncommon in country areas and you should always ensure that all food is covered up and rubbish disposed of adequately to discourage visits! Local dogs may sometimes be heard barking and cats, cockerels and other animals may sometimes make their presence felt!
N.B. The information contained on this website and in our general literature has been compiled as accurately as possible. However, there may be occasions when an advertised facility is temporarily unavailable during your holiday. Bad weather or the maintenance/repairs of property, swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts etc. may mean certain facilities being withdrawn until the necessary work can be done. These are, regrettably, beyond our control and we are unable to accept liability, but every endeavour will be made to ensure that the local management rectifies any problems as soon as possible.