Dorset Cottages: Holiday Cottages in Dorset

Holiday Cottages Dorset: Cottages Information

Facilities and amenities vary between different cottages, and so before choosing holiday cottages in Dorset you should consider your requirements, rather than depending upon a nice photo to make your decision for you. If you were wanting to bring a pet is the cottage suitably equipped in order to do so, and is this allowed? Are there facilities for children such as cots or high chairs and is smoking allowed in the cottage? You should also think about what is near to the cottage - do you want a tranquil but isolated location or would you prefer a cottage with nearby shops, restaurants and pubs? Remote, secluded Dorset cottages may be perfect in the summer, but you may end up feeling isolated on a rainy winter day. You should research the area where you will be staying, so that you can plan holiday activities such as walking, fishing, shopping and visiting beaches, museums and restaurants in Dorset.

Lyme Regis Cottages – Cottages in Dorset: Prices

Prices for renting self catering cottages in Dorset vary between high season and low season. Low season is usually between September and May; however, prices will be higher during school holiday weeks such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, school half term and bank holiday weekends. High season occurs during the summer months of June, July and August, when the better weather means that more people want to holiday in Dorset. Some cottages even change the prices week by week, so if you don't have a fixed date for your holiday, you may want to compare prices of cottages on different dates.

Cottage owners usually prefer you to stay for a week rather than a weekend, as this reduces cleaning and change over times for them. As a result, you can usually get discounts for longer stays, and during busy periods such as the summer holidays it may not be possible to rent a cottage for just 2 nights, with some cottages requiring you to book for 3 nights or more.

Whatever your budget, if you want to rent a cheap self catering Dorset cottage for 2 or a five star luxury Dorset holiday cottage with a swimming pool, think carefully about when you want to go, and book early for the best deals. That said, if you have left booking accommodation until the last minute you may be able to get cancellation cottages or late availability deals on cottages in Dorset.

Holiday Cottages Weymouth – Dorset Cottages: Grading

Holiday cottages in Dorset are assessed for quality by Visit Britain and awarded a grading of between one star and five stars. All self catering accommodation awarded a star rating has to meet minimum standards and must give clear information before booking about all aspects of the accommodation including location, facilities, prices, deposits and policies on smoking, children and cancellations. The star rating can be used as a guide to the quality of cottages and their facilities.

A one star holiday cottage in Dorset will be simple and practical, and a microwave must be provided.

Two star cottages are well presented and well run and all beds must be full size.

Three star Dorset holiday cottages have a good level of quality and comfort, and bed linen will be provided (although there may be an extra charge for this).

Four star holiday cottages have an excellent level of quality and comfort. With four star cottages, only bed spaces in bedrooms can be advertised, so sofa beds are excluded. Bed linen must be included in the hire charge and beds will be made up on arrival. Four star cottages will also have a freezer and washing machine.

Five star holiday cottage have the highest standards of quality and attention to detail and you will get an exceptional degree of luxury. In five star cottages in Dorset you will probably find items such as tumble driers, telephones, stereos and DVD players.

Holiday Cottages in Dorset: Self Catering Guide

Dorset cottages are well known for their quality, but as an alternative, cottages in Cornwall are also highly recommended and are obviously also to be found on the South West coast of England. Regardless of where they are based, however, a number of cottages are independently accredited by self-catering associations which are independent of public and private sector tourist institutions. They have their own logos and associations insist that their members offer high standards of comfort, cleanliness, courtesy and efficiency.

If taking your pet to Devon cottages, or to cottages anywhere in the UK, do not allow them to climb onto the furniture and do not leave them alone in the property in case they do just that, or worse! Ask the owner for advice upon local amenities and facilities and if you do have any extra needs, queries or problems make sure that you speak to the owner - as these can often be easily rectified. Make sure that you take out holiday insurance - premiums are low when compared to holiday insurance abroad and still covers risks such as loss of luggage, cancellation due to illness or family bereavement occurring just before or during your holiday.