With so many of us now holidaying in the UK, the last few years has seen a huge rise in self-catering companies, encouraging us to pay a premium for the joy of the staycay (because who can afford the Caribbean right now?).

Though ‘luxury’ is a word bandied about with abandon in the hospitality industry, my experience is that often once you’ve clicked through to the properties, the quality and service can suddenly look a bit wobbly. However, I’ve discovered Luxury Cottages recently and honestly you can lose yourself for hours looking at their gorgeous properties in idyllic locations – they’re totally nailing it for quality and service.

The company was started in 2019 with the explicit aim of both creating a consistently high quality of accommodation, but also reinventing the customer experience for self-catering breaks. So rather than the ‘book here, now just get on with it’ approach that many of us have put up with over the years (I distinctly remember a freezing winter in Shropshire with no central heating and no-one came to help), Luxury Cottages has upped the game massively, offering the kind of Guest Services support you might find at a travel agency. Think personal property recommendations based on visiting themselves, knowledge of the local area, a concierge booking service for local pubs and attractions, as well as making sure the home comforts are there for small children, pets, hypo-allergenic guests or even surprise birthday cakes, and a 24/7 emergency line just in case.

Then there’s the cottages themselves – not all cottages as it happens, with a wide portfolio that runs from country snugs for couples and family beach getaways along the coast through to entire manor houses like this stunner for 36 guests on Lake Windermere. Quality is the key with hotel-style cleanliness, luxury linens, fluffy towels and toiletries and a huge choice in locations – increasingly property owners are using Luxury Cottages as their exclusive agent and there are literally hundreds of chic holiday homes to choose from.

It’s an almost impossible task to pick favourites – there are literally so many! – but here are a few I have my beady eye on for this year to give you a flavour of what’s on offer.

THE SUMMER BEACH HOLIDAY

THE COUPLES ESCAPE – CORNWALL

DESIGN LED CHIC – SOMERSET

THE GIRLS’ CHILL-OUT WEEKEND – OXFORDSHIRE

THE DOG-FRIENDLY STAY – SUSSEX

THE FRIENDS’ REUNION – SOMERSET

THE MULTI-GENERATIONAL HOLIDAY – DEVON

Not bad right?! The search is really useful on Luxury Cottages which offers various ‘collections’ including accessible breaks, historic houses and summer availability for those (yep, me) who habitually leave everything to last minute.

Hope it helps with the holiday planning and as always if you do book feed back to me on your experience. Remember, caring is sharing!

Luxury Cottages